Week 2, Appropriate Communications

You are communicating whether you know it or not.

Several years ago I was seated in the front row at a university graduation ceremony. I saw many who, in my opinion, were inappropriately dressed for the ceremony. As I watched the degree candidates traipse past me on the way to the stage to receive their Bachelor’s degrees, I noticed how many of them were wearing sneakers and even rubber flipflops. Some of the men had bare legs showing between too-short gowns and their footwear—I assumed they were wearing shorts (or maybe they were planning on flashing the audience after the ceremony and I missed it).

These people were entering their next stage of life as college-educated adults with new careers. They had no idea that their first action as a graduate screamed, “I’m a kid and totally clueless how I should act in the realm of grown-ups.”

However, the young men and women that day who were appropriately dressed, including their footwear, were presenting themselves as adults ready for professional positions.

Describe a situation where you observed someone who, in your opinion, was projecting an inappropriate image for the situation. This could be through clothing (as in my example), behavior (unprofessional action at work), or words (a poorly spelled or ungrammatical document). Explain what you would do differently to project an appropriate image. Be specific.

Week 1, Introductions

Between now and 5 p.m. Monday, 7/27/09, enter a comment on this post. In your comment, briefly introduce yourself: your full name, your job (currently or the one you’d like in the future), your program in school, and anything else you would like your instructor and classmates to know about you.