Images and words sculpt our understanding of the world. These communication tools shape our attitudes and beliefs; and affect our opinion of people and situations. One author says, "Each time we formulate ideas and put them into words, signs, symbols, meanings, definitions, readings, statements, it is made into a spoken language." Today's spoken language, media, influences how we think and behave. Whether we are conscious of it or not, media can directly or indirectly form our understanding of people as well as magnify commonalities and differences. It is because the media can positively or negatively affect our actions that organizations should consider how this external influence impacts their internal workplace.
Images, Words, Actions: Media's Influence on Workplace Behavior, explores how media affects interpersonal and organizational communication. We examine how these vehicles (print, broadcast, social media, music and film) aid in our understanding of people and whether media bridges the gap or creates a greater distance in our awareness of gender, social, ethnic and cultural differences. Using various audio, visual and print media clips, we observe how images and language impact our perception. By the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
--Understand how images and language affect our thoughts and behavior,
--Identify how internal forms of communication (i.e. company newsletter, webinars) can hurt or help the conversation and
--Understand the role of employees in challenging stereotypes influenced by media.
