Hello Everyone,
Last Wednesday we had our first skype session on Module 1 Part 3. Before this skype session we were all asked to read the Reader 3 about ‘The Networked Professional’. I found the section about ‘Affiliation’ by Crisp and J & Turner the most interesting part for me. Before the skype session I created a mind map reflecting some of my thoughts/queries about this theory. Unfortunately its not allowing me to upload my mind map from word. So I have put my questions into a list.
•What is the reason behind professional relationships?
•Is it genuine or an advancing method in your professional career?
•How do you know when its genuine or fake?
•How do people keep track of all their relationships?
•How often would you need to stay in contact to keep track of the relationship?
I opened up the conversation with some these queries to the group, and as we discussed each point, I found out how important it is to keep in contact with everyone that you meet through your professional career. Everyone that you meet is a possible influential person in your career, so it’s always good to keep track of them. As Kayleigh stated in the skype session which I have really taken on board is ‘Put back into the network what, you get out of it’. From discussing the above questions, I have realised that I need to start keeping better contact with everyone.
Everyone came to this session with different topics based off the Reader 3, but in my opinion they all seemed to interlink with each other. I found everyone’s points very interesting but I found some of the points that Sophie brought up very thought provoking. Sophie answered the questioned of- What is a professional network? Her answer being that our professional network can materialise into a personal one as well. We discussed how this could be a possibility and how you could look at the professional network being a team, a unit and or a machine. All working together to get the job done. This team work creates trust and from trust creates companionship, so I completely agree with Sophie. You can’t be a piece of metal in the works, you become someone that is a part of the work place community. This is mentioned in the ‘affiliation’ section, it creates the opinion that it is a human need for us to interact with other people in the work place.
These two points also leads to the next point that was brought up by Sophie. Sophie had researched about the ‘6 degrees of Separation’ theory created by Stanley Milgram. This is a theory based on that everyone is connected to each other in the world in 6 people or less. This only emphasises the fact that you must keep in contact with everyone and be at your best at all times, because you don’t know, who knows who.
I learnt so much from this skype session and it was so good to speak to everyone and realise that we all have some of the same points and interests from the Reader 3. I can’t wait to do some more research into the rest of the parts of the reader 3.
Please comment below if you have any questions or opinions would love to hear from you!
Thanks for reading.
Cassie V.
Hi Cassie,
ReplyDeleteYes it so interesting to see most people share similar opinions with regards to networking. I particularly like your association with a machine, and how we all work together to get the job done. Do you think everyone plays the same role equally or certain people, like directors and well known choreographers play a bigger part? If this is the case, should we approach those people differently than others e.g our classmates? It is difficult to judge this I think, as we should all be on one level in my opinion, but naturally people take higher ranking within the industry and society, so should they be treated in turn differently?
I hope your enjoying reading the reader and good luck with your critical reflection
Ami
Hi Ami,
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and commenting. In answer to your questions. I believe that every role in a professional network has different responsibilities, some maybe more highly regarded depending on personal opinion. I also, just as you believe, think that each person in the network is just as important as each other, because without one component then the machine wouldn’t work. For example yes directors and choreographers have the responsibility to create the show/dance, however without the actors/dancers there wouldn’t be anyone to represent their role/work on stage. I think in all industries there is a stigma about higher roles and having more respect for them because they hold more power/responsibility and therefore people respect them more. I believe that yes they should be respected, but not because of their role title, but because of the hard work they have dedicated to their industry/their machine, essentially they have worked hard and have earned the position they are in. But I also believe that everyone should be respected the exact same amount, everyone in a network is still a person with feelings, our goal as a network shouldn’t be levelling the respect we give but to output the same respect to everyone. In my opinion, without respect, the machine/network won’t work, because having respect for someone, also represents that you have trust in them. In saying this, not everyone has a strong work ethic, so there are situations where people have the title on their badge but may not necessarily deserve their position, but I like to believe the best in people. I think you are right in saying that it’s hard to judge, because there are many opinions on how people should be treated in the world. I like the saying ‘Always treat someone, as you would like to be treated’. In the professional network, and life there will always be people out there who know more then you, who may be better then you, but instead of turning it into a discussion of whose more respected/whose better at something, I like to take it as a learning opportunity, to better one self. What are your thoughts about learning from other colleagues/classmates? Do you think it’s a valuable source of information? I hope you are enjoying the reader as well, and that your critical reflection is going well.
Cassie.
Hi Cassie,
ReplyDeleteThis stigma related to power and status ties in well with Axelrod's theory of co operation. How people almost use eachother for maximum benefit before discarding them. in this industry I feel people do get so wrapped up in climbing the 'ladder of success' they feel they must always be around those of a higher status. Although this could be successful, we must never forget to respect each and every person we have contact with, and word travels fast in this small industry and we dont want to upset anyone.
I personally feel we can learn from everyone, and each experience is a learning curve to grow and develop as a professional.
Happy New Year,
Thanks Cassie good conversation and thanks for relating the workshop! will put link up for others.
ReplyDelete