Discussion

For this Discussion, you consider the relationship between interpersonal communication fundamentals and goals. Also, consider how you utilize interpersonal communication in personal and business contexts.

To prepare:

• Evaluate your daily interactions with people both at and outside of work.

• Review Chapter1, in Business Relationships Across Cultures.

• Consider an example of how you have used interpersonal communication to pursue a personal or business goal.

• Consider how your background, experiences, and point of view influenced how you communicated in your example

How can you ensure that the communication style and self-image you present online are consistent with your intended message? For example, how can you ensure that the use of online sites such as LinkedIn or personal blogs and websites enhance rather than hinder your presentation of self?

In this Discussion, you explore this question and analyze self-presentation in an online environment.

To prepare:

• Review this Learning Resources, especially the article, "Social Networking Web Sites: The Legal and Ethical Aspects of Pre-Employment Screening and Employee Surveillance."

• Visit the personal websites or LinkedIn profiles of three different people and consider how elements such as images and consistency help define their online presentation styles. Please be careful not to just look at the individual's "official site" as that might be corporate in nature, and more geared towards marketing and sales

• Evaluate the presentation these people are creating online. Consider the goals they are trying to achieve in their presentation style.

• Note: Although you can view LinkedIn and Facebook profiles of selected individuals with whom you may be connected, others may not be able to view them, so please share the personal blog or website links in your post so your colleagues may see them as well.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post at least 350 words comparing your online self-presentation styles with those of the online profiles you selected. In your comparison, be sure to address the following:

• How do you present yourself online to gain compliance and achieve your chosen goal(s)? How does your approach differ?

• What ethical considerations come into play? Make reference to the "Social Networking Web Sites: The Legal and Ethical Aspects of Pre-Employment Screening and Employee Surveillance" article and cite where appropriate.

• How might you change your online communication behavior or self-presentation to achieve your goals?

• Don't forget to include the links from your analysis so your classmates can also visit the websites firsthand.

Learning Resources

• McLean, S. (2016). Business relationships across cultures. Boston: Flat World Knowledge Publishers.

o Chapter 5, "Social Media and Intercultural Communication."

Chapter 6 outlines the values, strategies, tactics, norms, and principles associated with diverse representations of affiliation online.

Presentation contexts, such as online environments, are also examined in this chapter.

o Chapter 2, "Cultures, Relationships, and Conflict."

Chapter 2 examines how individuals present themselves through self-disclosure, which helps show others who you really are. The use of sound judgment is discussed as different levels of intimacy, and Social Penetration Theory is also explored.

• Waring, R. L., & Buchanan, F. R. (2010). Social networking websites: The legal and ethical aspects of pre-employment screening and employee surveillance. Journal of Human Resources Education, 4(2), 14-23.

Waring, R., & Buchanan, F. (2010). Social Networking Web Sites: The Legal and Ethical Aspects of Pre-employment Screening and Employee Surveillance. Journal of Human Resources Education, 4(2), 14-23. Licensed via the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0).

This article describes the need for human resources departments to stay on top of the most current information and developments in the law and online. The authors discuss the problems with and offer solutions for the emerging challenges based on employees' expectations of privacy versus the need for businesses to have a full picture of potential hires.

• The Technological Citizen. (2009, September 23). Is it ethical for employers to factor in online profiles in hiring decisions?