Image

Tasks, tools and elements of communication

An “image” is the first thing we communicate about ourselves. It is an amalgam of visual, verbal, and even attitudinal clues that we are not always aware we are transmitting. In the work world, we also broadcast an image of our team, department, and our entire organization.  In order to present a desired image, you have to know just what image you are trying to convey. This course will explore how to decide what you want your image to say about you, your career, and your organization. Once you know that, you will look at the component parts of image and develop a strategy for making that image, personal and organizational, so that it will be transmitted whenever you meet someone.

Overview   “Who am I?”   We have all asked ourselves that question thousands of times, and we will probably keep asking it. There are many different answers to that question. In this module, we will focus on it as it applies to your professional life. One key element is the image you present to the world. We will look at how to analyze your own image, and decide if it really is the one by which you want the world to judge you.

Organization and sector of activity

Organizational Culture

 Professional reputation and standards

Analyze your audience  - The better you know and understand your audience, the people you will be dealing with, the better your chances are of having a successful project/programme purpose relationship with them. Doing some homework, some basic research, before you actually meet them saves time, and puts you at a distinct advantage.

What Do They Want and Expect to See  - Part of the process of getting to know your audience, whether it is internal or external, is getting to know what it is they need, want, or expect from you, and why. You also want to figure out what they are really looking for, even when they are not sure. The next question is whether you have it to give them, and if so, how.

Non-verbal Image When we talk about nonverbal image we are talking about the messages you send out without actually saying anything and the ones you receive that have little or no dialogue attached to them. All communication—verbal and nonverbal—is in code. As we will see, there are three primary types of nonverbal codes.

Cultural Image  How close we stand to someone can make them feel comfortable or threatened. If they feel threatened, they can think of us as being threatening, imposing, aggressive, and definitely unpleasant. The distance depends upon the culture of the person you are talking to. There are similar cultural rules about how we address people, how loudly we speak, and whether we should bow or shake hands. All of these affect the image we create.

Ability to Communicate The image you have right now is probably one of the reasons why you are where you are in the organizational hierarchy in terms of your career and professional development. Improving your image as a communicator—the way people judge your written and oral presentations—will play a major factor in your ability to advance.

Is your Image Really You?  While we all want to present the best image of ourselves that we can, it is important to present as best you are able: “Who are you, really?” Before you can honestly answer that question, you have to be able to take a good look at what the rest of the world sees and hears when you walk into a room and start talking.

Knowledge, Preparation and Organization  In many ways, “you” are your organization. When you represent your organization, you are creating the impression—the image—that many people will have of it. That image will shape how they deal with you and with the organization, and what they will tell others about you and the organization.

Comfort Level  Your comfort level in a meeting or project/programme purpose situation is often in direct proportion to your knowledge, preparation, and organization. If you do not feel comfortable, if you feel stressed, it could mean that you are not as ready for the meeting as you should be, or would like to be. Stress can damage your health; your social, family, and professional relationships; your ability to work effectively.

Meeting the Media The rules are the same for meeting the media as they are for meeting anyone else—only more so. The way you “meet” them will establish your image in their minds, and also the image of your organization. The media is your gateway to the rest of the world. While you can reach the world directly through advertising and marketing, if you want your organization to be covered as news—either as hard news or as a news feature—you have to convince the media’s gatekeepers that you have a story worth telling their viewers, listeners or readers.

Presentation and Leave-Behind Material 

Assignments  -  see also Creating the organizational Voice and Image