Overview
Discussion: For this discussion, focus your evaluation on business communication in your own work environment.
Using at least one academic source (journal article, trade publication), share 3 tips to improve remote collaboration.
Evaluate these in your own work environment. Use examples. Be sure to apply fundamental communication concepts and language from the readings.
Assignment 1: The goal of this assignment is to allow a desired communication style to emerge by learning more about yourself. To this end, please complete the following exploration.
Please take the time to speak from your authentic, internal experience.
- This is a reflective exploration.
- No artificial intelligence (AI), please.
- And yes, you are encouraged to have dialogue on these topics with peers, family and friends.
- The more the better! This is a communications class, after all.
Let’s get started:
- Note your anxiety level on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is highest. Share the number in your submission.
- Set a timer for 3 minutes. Then spend this time in silence to get centered and calm. If you don’t have your own contemplative practice simply sit tall, feel your feet on the floor and with eyes closed or open notice your breath. Feel the air coming in and out of your nose. If you can, bring your breath down into your belly and feel your abdomen rise and fall. If it is comfortable for you, extend your exhale for a few breaths. When you are done, slowly open your eyes if they are closed, and then smile. Share a few words that describe how you feel in this moment.
- Rate your anxiety level again on a scale of 1 to 10. Journal about the effect of this small practice. Share the rating number and a sentence or two about the experience.
- Now it’s time to reflect on communication style. We’ll do this from a few perspectives, starting with strengths. Think of an important event from your past that went really well; when you were energized, enthusiastic and you were the person you know you can be. Which of your strengths were revealed in this situation? Thinking a bit wider, what would someone who you care about say were your strengths? Speak to a trusted friend or colleague directly if you want greater insights. Share at least five personal strengths that would support your ability to connect and relate with others with whom you may not agree.
- Next you are going to reflect on your values. Start by writing a few sentences about what values are and why values matter in communication and negotiation.
- Thinking about the event you used above, reflect on which values guided this beneficial interaction. Now find another time when you ‘walked your talk’ when the stakes were high. What important personal values were present? The more familiar you are with your beliefs, the more you can live intentionally. Spend the time you need to whittle down a long list to the five values you consciously choose to guide your actions. If you want to go deeper, complete this free online Values Sort ExerciseLinks to an external site. It takes about 30 minutes. It is particularly helpful if you are interested in personal self-awareness and growth.
- Next, bring to your imagination someone who you believe to be the kind of communicator you wish for. Someone who makes you (and others) feel good. A person who you can imagine would invite you to be your best self when you need to be this person the most; that is to say, when the stakes are high and you are at the edge of your communication capacity and are beginning to feel uncomfortable. What are the qualities or characteristics that are present in this effective communicator? Feel free to use a public figure if you have trouble identifying someone you know, or have known. Share three to five important qualities in your response.
- Reflect on your exploration and describe in up to three sentences a communication style that is both desirable and is aligned with who you are. This is your communication style; one that is practical, realistic and effective for you.
- Now it’s time for implementation. What are your resources, the places where you can source and restore your energy so you can be this person more often, both internal and external? Brainstorm a wide and long list that includes important lifestyle elements like sleep, nutrition, exercise and community. Don’t forget the more obvious resources like commitment, courage and curiosity, and the less visible resources like agency, awareness and attention. Ask others’ for their ideas. Reach out to your community to open up a conversation about how you want to be a better connector. Share 10 helpful resources you have access to that support your ability to communicate in the style you desire.
- As we come to a close, with all this in mind, what is the one thing you can start doing every day that will allow you to be the communicator you want to be? Speak to the importance of daily practice and why focus matters in being an intentional communicator.
- To end your exploration, write about how it was for you to explore communication from the inside out in this personal way. What feelings came up for you? What thoughts are present for you at this moment?
- For the final question, what is your commitment level to communicating in your style you described above more often, on a rating scale from 1 to 10 where 10 is highest? How does this inform how you will engage with this course on communication and negotiation?
Assignment 2: This week, you begin your Journal. Your entries are to be reflections on concepts, ideas, quotes from your colleagues, or even questions you wish to explore.