Implication for Differing communication Formats.

                                 A reflection exercise based on a case study.


  • How did your interpretation of the message change from one modality to the next?

The tone in the email sounded rude while reading in my mind, and I found myself making unpleasant comments to myself, such as “I am tired and exhausted” and “Can't this wait till tomorrow?”. And there was no feedback on my comments. Also, the text formatting and paragraphing were just so boring to read, and the purpose of the email was embedded somewhere in the text lines.  I felt the tone was calmer in the audio, and the request sounded like I could put in some effort to get over the data needed. This also allowed me to get to this at a time when I was not busy. While in the face-to-face communication, my request got my full attention as I looked at the person speaking. I believe I could have gotten this requested data over If I had some empathy spilling over from the requester after I expressed how tired I was. 

  • What factors influenced how you perceived the message?

Face-to-face demonstrated urgency as that would entail grabbing my attention at the moment to listen to the request and perhaps get it delivered if the person were still in front of me. The availability to have feedback and dialogue with another person greatly impacted how the message was perceived. With the face-to-face option, I could ask clarifying questions if necessary and save time getting only the data that was needed accurately. Supposing I had not opened my email box after a tiring day, I would not have gotten the message. So, it is essential to consider how best to engage someone depending on timing, stress levels, and general well-being (Walden University, LLC, n.d).

  • Which form of communication best conveyed the true meaning and intent of the message?

Face-to-face communication had a tremendous impact on communicating the true meaning and intent of the message –getting urgent needed data without sounding excessively demanding and providing a space for negotiation and dialogue.

  • What are the implications of what you learned from this exercise for communicating effectively with members of a project team?

Understanding different communication formats and what works well is crucial, given the context. Understanding what stakeholders need, how best to tailor the communication that will get them to action (Taylor, 2013), and how to structure the communication. For example, including a clear purpose in written communication and combining more than one communication format to boost retention while ensuring an opportunity for clarification and feedback (Walden University, LLC, n.d).

 

References.

Multimedia Program: “The Art of Effective Communication”.

Taylor, J. (2013). Elements of a Stakeholder Communication Plan.Retrieved from http://www.brighthubpm.com/project-planning/15148-elements-of-a-stakeholder-communication-plan/

Walden University, LLC. (Executive Producer). (n.d.). Practitioner voices: Strategies for working with stakeholders [Video file]. Retrieved from https://waldenu.instructure.com

Walden University, LLC. (Executive Producer). (n.d.). Communicating with stakeholders [Video file]. Retrieved from https://waldenu.instructure.com

Comments

  1. I love how you explained how the different forms of communication resonated with you. When communicating with others, we must be open to ensure that our communication styles embrace less employee conflict. First, ensure we share all goals, dates, and timelines. At the same time, prioritize effective communication using both active listening skills and feedback mechanisms from the recipient.
    Many times, when drafting communication, we must always make sure to take ourselves out of the equation and work on tailoring our communication to fit our audience. Always stay polite and watch your body language. I tend to wear my emotions on my face, but I constantly work to make coworkers feel comfortable when approaching with ideas or concerns.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Sandra,
    Like you I found the text version a bit curt to the point that it seemed a bit rude. Weird how the same message delivered in different formats comes across very differently. I like how you included your own reaction to the work itself. That was a great inclusion. The point you made about the ability to ask clarifying questions is always great in person. However, this is possible with phone delivery as well. With email you can ask questions but the process is slower.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment