COM425: Week 2 Discussion 1&2

Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week's Discussion link in the left navigation.

1. Self-Assessment of Organizational Communication Skills
    
   Many people believe that organizational communication skills should come naturally and are not difficult to obtain. However, this week’s readings might have given you a different perception. Effective organizational communication skills actually require a lot of time and practice.
   
   Complete a self-assessment of your organizational communication skills by answering the following questions:
   
   • Which area(s) do you feel are the most developed for you?
   • Which area(s) do you need the most improvement?
   • Based on the course material that you read this week, what are some ways that you plan on improving the development of your organizational communication skills?
   
    
2. Using Active Listening
    
   One of the most effective ways that we can improve our communication within the organizational context is through adapting the language that we use. A simple, yet effective way to do this is through the method that your textbook describes as “active listening”. This strategy is explained in Chapter Four of your textbook.
   
   Describe a time when you were trying to communicate with another person and active listening would have been helpful. What was the situation? How did he/she respond? How did you respond? What could you have done to improve the communication?