My professional side says, "This is a conversation best addressed to the person. How unprofessional to air an international position so publicly."
Then my brain says, "How is this tweet different than the president of Mexico speaking on television that he will not pay for a wall?" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/25/mexico-enrique-pena-nieto-trump-border-wall
Is this video statement a result of Trump's tweets or of general news about the memorandums the president is signing?
Finally, I think, "Michelle, get out of your old-lady brain. Professional norms likely have changed over the last 20 years. These tweets start public conversation, connecting national administration to the population through social media." A norm is something that is typical, socially acceptable.
Would I know the controversies without both administrations making public statements that pushed directly to my phone? These things usually go on behind closed doors, or I'd have to be much more diligent with the news.
So, here are my questions:
How do you think social media (Twitter, news pushes, discussion forums, Facebook, etc), has changed our professional norms of communication?
What do you think is socially acceptable to tweet/post as a professional?
Do your perspectives differ from mine (I'm twice your age)?
Do not talk politics about Trump, Mexico, or the wall. I only want your perspective on norm changes for professional conversations. Don't say anything that makes you uncomfortable. Participation is completely optional.
I really do want to know what you think. Let's see if we can get a conversation going between now and class Tuesday.
I'm interested to see what happens in the near future with Trump's new communication style. Are we experiencing a major shift that will perpetuate?
I think that social media (Twitter, news pushes, discussion forums, Facebook, etc), has changed our professional norms of communication. I think that as a professional, it is socially acceptable to tweet/post appropriate personal opinions. Obviously, because of our wonderful First Amendment, we in America can tweet/post whatever we want. But as for the level of professionalism, one must be a bit more careful. As for President Trump's tweets about the wall and an upcoming meeting, personally, I do not think it is unprofessional. It is 2017, and the times have changed. I think it is actually appropriate of a president to have his professional life very public so that the citizens are well informed and connected. It is great when the government keeps the public involved and interested in the politics of our nation.
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