"“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ...

HRTM 495

Assignment #2

Part 1: Impact of Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace

The words we use don’t always convey the entire message. While we like to think our words are powerful, the real power in our communication is nonverbal. We communicate with more than just our spoken language. You will interpret the visual and vocal signals of others when interacting with them. In addition, these same individuals will react to you mainly on the quality of your nonverbal communication skills. The old saying, “Actions speak louder than words”, is true.

In fact, research suggests that only 7% of a message that we communicate is verbal, while 55% is visual and 38% is vocal. Verbal refers to the actual words you use. Vocal refers to the unique characteristics of your voice, such as volume, variety of tone, quality (Ex. Nasal, authoritative, etc.), rate and vocalized pauses. Visual communication is the information people get from one another by looking at them, such as body language. Eye contact, posture (slouching, standing straight with shoulders back, etc.), gestures (Ex. happy, sad, angry, confused) are examples of visual communication.

This assignment focuses on visual communication . Be an observer for several days prior to completing the assignment.

· Observe Employee-Guest Behaviors and Responses

· Observe Supervisor-Employee Behaviors and Responses

· What do you notice about the role visual communication plays in conveying a message?

· How does visual communication impact the encounter?

· Describe in detail, two (2) Employee-Guest and two (2) Supervisor-Employee Visual observations in detail. (Number each of the four examples.)

Part 2: Biographical Sketches

This assignment requires that you interview your immediate supervisor.

During each interview explore IN DETAIL:

1. Career path

2. Job description

3. Educational background

4. Major professional milestones

5. Future professional plans

Include any other pertinent information relevant to the biographical sketch of your supervisor. Be sure to include their name, title and place of employment.