Communication Axiom 3

The third axiom of Communication claims that communication is inevitable and always present in social contexts. Whenever another party is able to perceive you, whether through sight, smell, spoken word or other modes of expression, communication occurs. Contrastingly, the absence of expression also communicates something about a relationship or otherwise sends a response. 

There were many instances of this axiom at work at MCNW. One of the biggest ways I noticed this axiom in action was in personal style or the way my coworkers dressed. Going into my internship, I was concerned about wearing the right thing because I did not have experience working in an office setting. After starting my internship, I was able to get a sense of the organization’s culture through observation of the way my coworkers dressed -- not too casual, but not stuffy suites + ties. The style of dress expressed that the organization wanted to instill a casual, friendly, accessible, and approachable culture. Another example I noticed was when people decided to use headphones. Headphones have a social symbolic meaning that tells message receivers to not approach or engage with the individual wearing them -- furthermore conveying that by wearing headphones, the individual does not want social interference and prefers to concentrate on productivity.