Communicating at Work Chapter 1

What do you want from this class?

What do you know you do poorly as a communicator? What skill do you wish you had that would help you at work? What do you want me to teach you?

Outcomes: You will learn… the role of Communication in career success. the key principles to understanding Communication and using it effectively. how to plan for informal and formal Communication at work. how ethics are a challenge at work.

Communication & Career Success Adapted from Williamson, M Communication & Career Success Adapted from Williamson, M. “Professional Development.” Course Syllabus: HRD 420/520. Professional Communications Skills : Uses a variety of tools to clearly and effectively inform, discuss, instruct, debate, and relate with colleagues. Engages in class activities. Posts high-quality contributions to discussion Delivers professional-level written assignments Communications with instructor and classmates. Effectively uses communication technologies

Communication & Career Success Dependability: Follows instructions, turns projects in on time; follows through with responsibilities and obligations. Maintains regular and active presence Frequently communicates. Turns in assignments timely, complete, & correct

Communication & Career Success Active Learning: Utilizes self-initiative to learn and grow and seeks ways to connect and transfer learning to experiences. Is in sync with what is going on. Meaningful engagement & advance preparation. Takes initiative to contribute helpful ideas. Uses concepts learned.

Communication & Career Success Analytical/Research Skills: Demonstrates the ability to assess a situation, seek multiple perspectives, gather more information if necessary, and identify key issues that need to be addressed. Builds problem-solving skills through meaningful research and composition. Applies critical and analytical thinking skills through purposeful discourse. Crafts meaningful and effective arguments.

Communication & Career Success Interpersonal Abilities: Exhibits the ability to relate to co-workers, inspire others to participate, and mitigate conflict. (Note: Employers nearly always list this ability as imperative when screening potential employees.) Builds rapport and trust with others through respect, compassion, caring, and helpfulness. Successfully participates in meaningful group work.

Communication & Career Success Positive Affectivity: Demonstrates positive attitude, motivation, energy, drive, and enthusiasm through words (diction and tone), body language, and actions. Maintains positivity.

Communication & Career Success Professional Etiquette: Exhibits courteous and respectful conduct. Good manners are the foundation for demonstrating respect for others. Is sensitive to the needs and opinions of others. Is attentive in class, focuses on the tasks at hand, and listens carefully, even in an online environment. Employs careful wording, respectful tones, and attentive consideration in class discourse.

A few things to remember and know… Communication skills are highly sought after in any position Every job requires time spent communicating Quality communication matters Communication skills can improve personal success Many people believe they are better communicators than they are

What Communication skills or qualities do employers want?

Table 1-1 pg. 7 Ability to work in a team Verbal communication skills Ability to make decisions and problem solve Ability to obtain and process information Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work

The Nature of Communication Principles Communication is Unavoidable Communication is Strategic Instrumental Relational Identity management Communication is Irreversible Communication is a Process Communication is not a Panacea (cure-all)

What does your model of communication look like? Identify the elements and visually show how they work. What does your model of communication look like?

The Communication Model Sender, Message, Encoding, Channel, Receiver, Decoding, Feedback, Noise, (Context) Figure 1.1, pg. 10

Channels Channel Characteristics Tone Culture Multiple Rich/ Lean (amount) Speed (synchronous/ asynchronous) Control (management) Tone Formal/ informal Culture Preference and norms Multiple Redundancy Benefit/ cost (trade-off) Effectiveness

In your Opinion…Upward Communication What are subordinates (or peers) doing? What are unsolved work problems? What suggestions do you have for improvement? How do you (peers) feel about each other/ the job? Pg. 17

Why is this important to the CEO/ Superior?

Is there value in Horizontal Communication Task Coordination Problem Solving Sharing Information Conflict Resolution Building Rapport What about: Rivalry, Specialization, Information Overload, Lack of Motivation, and Physical Barriers

Communicating in and beyond Organizations Informal Communication Networks- based on friendships, shared personal or career interests, and proximity Functions Confirming formal messages Expanding on formal messages Expediting official messages Contradicting official messages Circumventing formal channels

Reminders when communicating informally Informal is often a primary form of communication in the workplace Many people rely on informal communication for information Informal networks can be faster and more dependable Smart communicators use informal networks outside of the workplace Interactions fuel ideas and increase effectiveness

Networking Rules View everyone as a prospect Be sensitive to personal and cultural factors Treat your contacts with gratitude and respect Help others Get referrals to secondary sources Seek a mentor Network throughout your career

Ethical Approaches (pg. 26) Utilitarian Rights Fairness Common- Good Virtue Professional Ethic Publicity Test