Week 2 – Discussion Forum

To complete this discussion:

Complete the following reading and videos prior to participating in the forum:

• Self-Assessment and Dialogue as Tools for Appreciating Diversity
• Performance Evaluations
• Understanding Our Biases and Assumptions
• Preparing for My Appraisal: Cutting Edge Communication Comedy Series
• What Your Boss Wants: Business

In addition, review the weekly Instructor Guidance and any supporting information in the announcements.

Bias and emotionally charged communications occur in social platforms daily and these types of information are often accepted as “truth” by the readers. In addition, often these are based on elements of diversity awareness that are neglected (i.e. cultural, experiences, religious, political, etc.) by the person or organization presenting the information. At times this is accidental, but at other times, purposeful.

Also, businesses and leaders are beginning to peruse social sites more frequently, so it is important that you apply developed understanding of how neglectful awareness can lead to stereotyping and bias in public social forums and internet sites. The following discussion introduces the potential for the biases that may neglect, or promote, the importance for diversity within organizations (or even directly at individuals), as communicated through social platforms that often promote information through the use of increased emotional triggers and dialogue.

To complete this discussion, address the following bulleted items:

• Explore one or more social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn). If you are not familiar with social networking, you may also google a company’s name and use any news or social site found in the results of your search.
• Search for a popular leader of an organization, an entertainer, or a political figure.
• Discuss what you read about this person, or what the person shared on their site or in a social media post.
• Analyze and discuss how the information is presented. What diversity variables (e.g., cultural, political, gender, ethnic, beliefs, or economic) may be suggested in the article, or post.
  • Does the presentation of the information suggest bias about a person, an event, a group, etc.?
• Based on our content, what strategies could you personally apply in social networking sites to prevent self-bias and stereotyping of others, even unintentionally?