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…I use them incorrectly. I should refrain from my overuse of ellipsis…
el·lip·sis
–noun, plural -ses 
| 1. | Grammar.
|
| 2. | Printing. a mark or marks as ——, …, or * * *, to indicate an omission or suppression of letters or words. |
Ok, so just a few days to go until my CRT essays should be complete for the first assignment of my CIPR diploma and what more productive thing to do but to take a personality test from the BBC!
So it turns out I am, rather proudly, a leader (as well as a procrastinator!)
Summary of Leaders
- Natural managers who strive for efficiency
- See the big picture and make strategic plans for the future
- Think of themselves as bright, independent and logical
- May overlook other people’s need for emotional support
More about Leaders
Leaders are strategic thinkers, planning ahead and anticipating difficulties. They quickly spot inefficiency and organise people to make improvements. Leaders like solving problems at the organisational level, but would rather leave the detailed work to others.
Leaders enjoy discussing complex issues and will challenge people’s views to spark a debate. They admire people who defend their beliefs by arguing persuasively.
In situations where they can’t use their talents or are unappreciated, Leaders may become detached, critical or aggressive. Under extreme stress, Leaders may feel isolated and doubt their abilities.
Leaders are often so ambitious in their careers that they sacrifice their personal life in the process.
And it seems so accurate…
I wouldn’t have said I was such a strategic thinker, but I do find it helpful and reassuring to plan ahead and I do feel satisfied by solving problems.
I can be quite frustrated by peoples inefficiency as I am a perfectionist and expect others to do their best. I love challenging people’s views and having a good debate so that’s true as well.
I think the final point is also supported by the fact that it is 12:30pm and I am meant to be studying for my PR course. My personal life has disappeared for now but it will be back as soon as these essays are handed in!
Some insightful procrastination there – pity it won’t help me write my essay.
There may be a couple of interludes in the next few weeks as I expect I will be too busy writing essays to be writing blog entries…
Here’s the first:
On Friday, I received the questions for my CIPR Diploma Critical Reasoning Test. On first glance I am relatively happy with the choice of questions:
- “Public relations is most likely to contribute to organisational effectiveness when the senior public relations manager is a member of the dominant coalition – where he or she is able to shape the organisation’s goals and to help determine which external publics are most strategic.” (Grunig, L. Grunig, J. and Dozier, 2002:97 cited in Grunig, L. Grunig, J. and Dozier, 2006:34). Write a report to the Board of the organisation you work for, explaining why this is so.
- “Propaganda is not neutral, it aims to further the aims of the propagandist.” (Wright, 1991). Discuss this definition of propaganda in the light of “ethical propaganda” campaigns, such as public safety or public health campaigns in your country.
- Using the theories behind relationship management along with some practical examples and some methods, write a case for highlighting the relations in public relations.
- There is an increasing number of individuals and organisations entering the “blogosphere”, where reputations are played with by almost everyone, from anonymous mischief makers to the openly concerned. Your CEO has heard that her name has been mentioned in an anonymous blog and she wants to retaliate. Before you advise her as to what is best to do, write yourself a reflective paper about public relations and the “blogosphere”.
I have to pick two of the four questions to answer and submit them by 29th April. I think I am going to choose the 2nd and 4th questions; on Propoganda and Blogging.
References:
Q. 1 – Grunig, L. Grunig, J. and Dozier (2006) “The Excellence Theory” in Botan, C. and Hazleton, V. (eds) Public Relations Theory II, Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, pp. 21 – 62
Q. 2 – Wright, J. (1991) Terrorist propaganda: The Red Army Faction and the provisional IRA 1968-86, Basingstoke:MacMillan
Do you think it is the role of PR to act as an organisation’s “ethical guardian”? How do the key ideas of the rhetorical approach to public relations thinking affect the ability of practitioners to adopt this position? Is this a problem for the field?
The role of PR in society has been debated since the professions emergence and will continue to be debated as society evolves and presents new challenges. One of the more recent challenges for PR is the publics increasing demand for ethical and socially responsible behaviour. But is it the responsibility of the PR practitioner to adopt the role of ‘ethical guardian’ or is this outside of PR’s responsibility?
To establish whether it is the role of PR to act as an organisations ‘ethical guardian’, first we must understand what the term implies: “The term ‘guardian’ implies an expertise and responsibility for others, in this context, the public interest. The use of the term ‘ethics’ implies the ability to make clear moral judgments based on moral frameworks, thus overlapping with legal and religious domains. ‘Ethical guardian’ thus implies a high status in society attracting power and responsibility, so one would expect some considerable expertise to carry out that role.” L’Etang (2003) This analysis of the concept focuses on the practitioner’s ethical responsibilities to make moral judgments and decisions in the interests of the public but there are two main considerations here: who’s ethics should be applied to the decision-making process; and to whom does PR have responsibility – is it only the public?
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