Importance of Communication

Instructor Guidance Week 1 - BUS 600 Instructor Guidance Week 1

Required Reading

Text:

Baack, D. (2012).  Management communication . Retrieved from https://ashford.content.edu

Article:

Wiedmer, T. L. (2010). Workplace bullying: Costly and preventable. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 77(2), 35-41. Retrieved from the ProQuest database

Multimedia:

Weber, A. S. (Director), & Friedman, G. (Producer). (2000).  Barriers to communication. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file]. Retrieved from  https://fod.infobase.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?Token=10886&aid=18596&Plt=FOD&loid=9174&w=640&h=480&ref

Weber, A. S. (Director), & Friedman, G. (Producer). (2000). Listening [Video file]. Retrieved from https://secure.films.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx token=10886&aid=18596&loid=9175&plt=FOD&w=420&h=315&fWidth=440&fHeight=365

Post Your Introduction

Please post a brief bio on the first day of class. Respond to at least three of your classmates’ bios.

Discussions

 

Discussion 1 – Importance of Communication

In a 250-300 word response, discuss why communication skills are important to organizational success and why recruiters focus so much on finding leads with good communication skills. What happens when there are problems with communications in the workplace (re-work, low morale, product delays, dissatisfied customers, etc.)? Use at least one resource to support your key points. Respond to at least two of your fellow students' posts.

 

Discussion 2 – Ashford Learning Resources

Review the Learning Resources materials under the Course Resources tab in the left navigation of the course. Explore the resources available, view demos/tutorials and read the guides. In a 250-300 word response, discuss how these resources will be of value to you in your program at Ashford. Use at least one resource to support your key points. Respond to at least two of our fellow students’ posts and offer suggestions on how they could increase the value of the resources they identified.

 

Assignment

The purpose of this short research paper is to ensure proper understanding and application of APA style as required in all Ashford courses.

Using the Ashford Online Library, develop an annotated bibliography on one of the following factors that has had a significant impact on business and management communication in the past decade:

· diversity

· globalization and outsourcing

· pace of life and work

· evolving workplace technologies

· influence of social media

· ethical challenges 

Your annotated bibliography requires at least six (6) peer-reviewed articles, full reference information, and a short paragraph description of the main findings. You can visit the Ashford Writing Center for help with writing an Annotated Bibliography by clicking  here.

To receive maximum points, all of the following elements must be included in your paper: 

The paper:

· Must be two to three double-spaced pages in length (not including the title) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

· Must include a  title page. with the following:

· Title of paper

· Student’s name

· Course name and number

· Instructor’s name

· Date submitted

· Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.

· Must use at least six scholarly sources from the Ashford Online Library. One of the six sources may be the text.

· Must include at least one direct quote from one of the sources (see  Guidelines for Quoting Sources .

· Must include at least one summarized statement from one of the sources (see  Guidelines for Summarizing Sources .

· Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Some Thoughts on Communication Skills in the Work Place

 

Effective communication sounds like it should be instinctive. But all too often, when we try to communicate with others something goes astray. We say one thing, the other person hears something else, and misunderstandings, frustration, and conflicts ensue. This can cause problems in your home, school, and work relationships. For many of us, communicating more clearly and effectively requires learning some important skills. Whether you’re trying to improve communication with your spouse, kids, boss, or coworkers, learning these skills can deepen your connections to others, build greater trust and respect, and improve teamwork, problem solving, and your overall social and emotional health.

Effective communication is about more than just exchanging information. It's about understanding the emotion and intentions behind the information. As well as being able to clearly convey a message, you need to also listen in a way that gains the full meaning of what’s being said and makes the other person feel heard and understood.

More than just the words you use, effective communication combines a set of 4 skills:

1. Engaged listening

2. Nonverbal communication

3. Managing stress in the moment

4. Asserting yourself in a respectful way

While these are learned skills, communication is more effective when it becomes spontaneous rather than formulaic. A speech that is read, for example, rarely has the same impact as a speech that’s delivered (or appears to be delivered) spontaneously. Of course, it takes time and effort to develop these skills. The more effort and practice you put in, the more instinctive and effective your communication skills will become.

Common barriers to effective communication include:

Stress and out-of-control emotion. When you’re stressed or emotionally overwhelmed, you’re more likely to misread other people, send confusing or off-putting nonverbal signals, and lapse into unhealthy knee-jerk patterns of behavior. To avoid conflict and misunderstandings, you can learn how to quickly calm down before continuing a conversation.

Lack of focus. You can’t communicate effectively when you’re multitasking. If you’re checking your phone, planning what you’re going to say next, or daydreaming you’re almost certain to miss nonverbal cues in the conversation. To communicate effectively, you need to avoid distractions and stay focused.

Inconsistent body language. Nonverbal communication should reinforce what is being said, not contradict it. If you say one thing, but your body language says something else, your listener will likely feel you’re being dishonest. For example, you can’t say “yes” while shaking your head no.

Negative body language. If you disagree with or dislike what’s being said, you may use negative body language to rebuff the other person’s message, such as crossing your arms, avoiding eye contact, or tapping your feet. You don’t have to agree, or even like what’s being said, but to communicate effectively and not make the other person defensive, it’s important to avoid sending negative signals.

Becoming an Effective Listener. When communicating with others, we often focus on what we should say. However, effective communication is less about talking and more about listening. Listening well means not just understanding the words or the information being communicated, but also understanding the emotions the speaker is trying to communicate.

There’s a big difference between engaged listening and simply hearing. When you really listen—when you’re engaged with what’s being said—you’ll hear the subtle intonations in someone’s voice that tell you how that person is feeling and the emotions they’re trying to communicate. When you’re an engaged listener, not only will you better understand the other person, you’ll also make that person feel heard and understood, which can help build a stronger, deeper connection between you.

By communicating in this way, you’ll also experience a process that  lowers stress  and supports physical and emotional well-being. If the person you’re talking to is calm, for example, listening in an engaged way will help to calm you, too. Similarly, if the person is agitated, you can help calm them by listening in an attentive way and making the person feel understood.

If your goal is to fully understand and connect with the other person, listening in an engaged way will often come naturally. If it doesn’t, try the following tips. The more you practice them, the more satisfying and rewarding your interactions with others will become.

Pay Attention to Non-verbal Signals:

The way you look, listen, move, and react to another person tells them more about how you’re feeling than words alone ever can. Nonverbal communication, or body language, includes facial expressions, body movement and gestures, eye contact, posture, the tone of your voice, and even your muscle tension and breathing.

Developing the ability to understand and use nonverbal communication can help you connect with others, express what you really mean, navigate challenging situations, and build better relationships at home and work.

· You can enhance effective communication by using open body language—arms uncrossed, standing with an open stance or sitting on the edge of your seat, and maintaining eye contact with the person you’re talking to.

· You can also use body language to emphasize or enhance your verbal message—patting a friend on the back while complimenting him on his success, for example, or pounding your fists to underline your message.

Keep Stress in Check:

How many times have you felt stressed during a disagreement with your spouse, kids, boss, friends, or coworkers and then said or done something you later regretted? If you can quickly relieve stress and return to a calm state, you’ll not only avoid such regrets, but in many cases, you’ll also help to calm the other person as well. It’s only when you’re in a calm, relaxed state that you'll be able to know whether the situation requires a response, or whether the other person’s signals indicate it would be better to remain silent.

In situations such as a job interview, business presentation, high-pressure meeting, or introduction to a loved one’s family, for example, it’s important to manage your emotions, think on your feet, and effectively communicate under pressure.

Assert Yourself:

Direct, assertive expression makes for clear communication and can help boost your self-esteem and decision-making. Being assertive means expressing your thoughts, feelings, and needs in an open and honest way, while standing up for yourself and respecting others. It does NOT mean being hostile, aggressive, or demanding. Effective communication is always about understanding the other person, not about winning an argument or forcing your opinions on others.