Mindful verbal actions

A nonverbal message regarding verbal actions

How I can incorporate mindful verbal actions in the workplace

I see a number of things in this photo:

The use of ALL CAPS and an exclamation point sends an implicit message of a firm request.

The use of the word “please” reinforces our cultural pattern/desire to create a polite or harmonious culture in the workplace.

The understanding that “noise” can encompass a myriad of things

A personal reminder to be respectful of my coworker’s work space.

A realization that I need to be cognizant of how others approach or perceive socializing, brainstorming, and communicating in the workplace.

As quoted in our textbook “Gendered Lives Communication, Gender, and Culture” Julia T. Wood states, “As gatekeepers of information, newspapers and news programs shape our perception by deciding which stories to feature, how many represent issues and events, and how to depict women and men.  By selectively regulating what we see, the news media influences how we perceive movements about gender and gender itself.” (Wood, 2009, p.279)

Mindfulness and Gender

This quote is especially meaningful to me as a woman who has worked in or with the media for over 25 years. Having started my career at a time when the news profession was predominantly male; it was difficult to get my voice “heard,” both as an employee, and as a representative of the female population.

A ubiquitous “old boy” mindset permeated the workplace, blatantly presented in unabashed terms by some. Spoken or unspoken, a reality that permeated the career field from the top down. As I reflect on my own experience, I make a mental note to be mindful of over-generalities, blanket statements, and assumptions I might have about gender as I approach my day-to-day decisions and relationships at work.

POWER OF LISTENING

The simple act of listening can show you truly care.

-Good eye contact -Avoid distractions -Respond when appropriate -Do not judge

Student sample Teresa D.

Mindfulness & Non-Verbal

Communication

Mindfulness is significant when presenting non-verbal communication to other people. For example, tone of voice, body position, facial expressions, and eye contact can play important roles in effective communication. We must strive to be mindful and give thought to what non-verbal cues we exhibit to the people we are communicating with.

Student sample Gina S.

In that moment when words fall short.

What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Student sample Pat M.