Teaching and Learning Communication Skills

Question: Discuss about the Teaching and Learning Communication Skills. Answer: Introduction: The five diagnostic tools that have left immense contribution for evaluating my communication skill include Johari Window, Communications Style Questionnaire, Assertiveness Questionnaires, Communication Vision Questionnaires and Aggressive Questionnaires. In order to present myself as a successful professional I should focus on developing my communication skills. At first, I have used Communication Style diagnostic tool in order to judge myself about my communication ability. In this particular diagnostic tool, the questionnaires were based on four major components that include aggressive, assertive, passive, and passive aggressive. Aggressive style includes the communicator is having the capability of throwing the direct approach without thinking about others. Assertive communication style is also considered as direct approach. At the same time, with the help of assertive communication style the speaker gives major priority to receivers as well while continuing the communication pro cess. However, in this communication style test I have carried 20 in assertive and 15 in aggressive. The other two consecutive segments that is passive and passive aggressive I have scored 11 and 9. Therefore, it is clear and evident that my style of communication is direct that would never make any kind of complication further. In Assertiveness Questionnaires test, I have scored 100 out of 100. This particular result shows that I as a profession am successful enough to make a direct communication with the receiver without making any barriers with others. With the help of JoHari Window test I have evaluated that I am possessed with six key words that include brave, calm, friendly, calm, logical and observant. In order to being a part of a business organization, these six characteristics would help me to overcome the organizational challenges. In the aggression test I have scored .55 score in verbal aggression section. This particular score signifies that I should have proper skill and competency to make a direct approach without making any kind of hesitation. In communication vision, I have scored 77 out of 100. Communication vision is the diagnostic tool with the help of which I can evaluate on how successfully I would be able to deal with my other colleagues at the workplace. Apparently, communication style is constituted with some of the major factors such as verbal communication, non-verbal communication, active listening, assertive communication and so many. After evaluating my personal communication skill with the help of those five diagnostic tools it has been observed that my non-verbal communication skill is high rather than communication. While making an interpersonal communication, I feel comfortable to express my views and regarding a business goal by writing or by expressing myself. Therefore, the receiver does not have to face any kind of difficulties to understand my non-verbal communication. On the other hand, my assertive communication style is also very effective. While I tend to express my point of views, I like to make a direct approach about my needs so that the receiver can get a clear understand about the demands. I have observed at the same time that in order to make me more competent as a successful businessperson I should have an e xcellent verbal communication skill. An effective verbal communication skill builds the characteristics of a human being. With the help of verbal communication skill, I would be able to present my viewpoints clearly in front of the employees. Therefore, verbal communication is one of the major issues that should focus for enhancing my communication skill. On the other hand, I have observed that I am not a very good listener. In order to become a good communicator, a person has to be a good listener first. Before making any comment or sharing views regarding the business goal, I as a businessperson should listen to the opinion of my organizational employees first. Otherwise, I would never be able to make a proper decision at the correct time. Therefore, I have observed that active listening skill is one of the most important parts of communication styles that I have to focus for enhancing in future. For instance, before six months I have had an important conversation with our financial head regarding the revenue growth strategy and policy of our company. While maintaining the conversation I have noticed that our financial head expressed the opinion very spontaneously, on how revenue growth of our company can be improved. After the spontaneous expression of more than ten minutes, I was fumbling to provide necessary suggestion for modify ing the business plan. My verbal communication skill was not that much high based on which I can place my ideas and views smartly in front our financial head. Therefore, in this kind of cases I have to face innumerable difficulties for dealing with the situations. One more instance can be produced in order to highlight the communication issues the workplace. Before, seven month I conducted a good discussion for making a collective decision regarding meeting business target. In this particular session, I kept my point of views on how our business organization is running successfully in the current marketing and what necessary steps should we take for making a threat for our competitors. In this particular discussion, all the business managers from several departments were present there. I kept my own point of view regarding how our business should proceed for the next. After the end of my speech, I requested specific business managers to share their opinion in this particular matter. Apart from the business managers, the employees were also present at this specific session. I have never allowed the employees to listen to their point of views in making new business strategy. Before making a new decision, I should give priority to the needs and d emands of organizational employees as well. I should become an active listener before taking the strategic decision. However, at that time employees showed their level of dissatisfaction for annoying them. The concept of verbal communication and active listening: Appelbaum (2013) stated that verbal communication is the way of expression with the help of which individuals tend to interact with others by using their voice. The concept of verbal communication is just the opposite of non-verbal communication. In order to make an effective verbal communication, an individual has to focus on proper voice modulation, tonal quality and way of expression and so on. The personality of an individual is highly dependent on the communication skill (Welch, 2012). On the other hand, active listening skill signifies that an individual should have the patience in listening to the point of view of others before taking any decision or making any comment (Beardsley, Kimberlin Tindall, 2012). Without being an active listener, the organization can never become a good decision maker. Therefore, in order to make an effective verbal communication with the customers, the business professionals have to become a good listener first. Therefore, the two consecutive terms are complementing each other. The importance of maintaining verbal communication at the workplace: Maintaining verbal communication at the workplace is possessed with some of the major advantages. Bovee and Courtland (2012) opined that verbal communication could be continued during group discussion, interpersonal communication and so many. With the help of verbal communication, both the sender and the receiver can get an immediate feedback from each other. Therefore, the entire process is very much systematic. The business professionals can make necessary business decision quickly. On the other hand, Chen, Chiang and Storey (2012) opposed the point of view of previous scholars. As per the opinion provided by this scholar, it has been observed that verbal communication is of no value while making any business agreement. Organizations have to be focused on written document in order to make a record of the agreement. However, it is undeniable that without having a fluent verbal communication skill, business professionals cannot be able to express their point of views at the workplace . Collis and Hussey (2013) stated that an effective verbal communication builds the personality of an individual. A person in order to express views regarding business goals and services should focus on verbal communication skill. Otherwise, employees would never intend to obey the instruction of senior managers. At the same time, it is undeniable that effective verbal communication helps to maintain organizational cultures and disciplines. The importance of becoming an active listener: As per the point of view of Cornelissen (2014), an active listener should focus on the decision of others before making organizational business strategies and policies. While maintaining the entire process of business, a business professional has to involve large number of employees for taking important decision at the workplace (Peri, 2012). Participative leadership style is the form of leadership with the help of which the business managers tend to collect employees decision as well. Therefore, people would get the opportunity to provide their point of view regarding the business goal. A good listener gets the opportunity to make collective decision-making. Gallois and Giles (2015) stated that the responsibility of the active listener is not only making collective decision. In addition, employees get the scope to resolve their organizational issues if the business managers tend to listen their person problem facing at the workplace. Therefore, in order to provide the employees nece ssary solution, the organization should focus on listening to the employees personal issues happening at workplace (Guffey Loewy, 2012). Communication would be effective and successful between the sender and receiver only when both the two person would like to focus in enhancing the active listening skills. Factors that affect listening and: Linguistic barrier is one of the most significant issues that highly prevent an individual to make the skill of listening active. People from different cultures and backgrounds are associated with a business organization (Hackman Johnson, 2013). Therefore, linguistic barrier is one of the most significant problems. Due to language problem, the business managers show their reluctance for listening to any personal or professional issues of workplace. Hackman and Johnson (2013) stated that in order to avoid any kind of language barrier at the workplace, the business organization should provide necessary training to the employees so that the employees can evaluate their skill of communication. At the same time, it is undeniable that language barrier can hamper employee performance as well. Apart from linguistic barriers, cultural and psychological barriers also prevent active listening skills or approach. People belonging from different cultures and backgrounds may not entertain each others perception and point of views (Hamilton, 2013). Therefore, the business managers do not intend to listen to the viewpoints off those persons due to the psychological barriers. In order to overcome psychological barriers, the employees need to receive professional development training with the help of which professional skills and competencies can be improved. Due to the lack of sufficient financial strength, organizations fail to provide professional development training to the employees. Models of communication: The perception of the academic field of communication had received a major influence from the engineering model of Shannon and Weaver. In this particular model, communication was convinced as a linear act (Meng, 2012). As per this particular model, source of information transmits the message through a channel to the receiver in order to reach the proper direction (Hsu et al., 2012). The entire process is as follows: Shannon and Weavers mathematical theory of communication is widely accepted as one of the primary seeds out of which the study of communication has grown. The earliest model of communication was symmetrical and simple model that is developed by great philosopher Aristotle. This particular philosopher in his model has developed five key elements without which the entire process of communication would be meaningless (Kurtz, Silverman Draper, 2016). The elements of communication include speaker, speech, occasion, audience and effect. In his own rhetorical style, Aristotle has described that the speaker wishes to construct a speech for the audience in different occasion in order to receive a positive effective. If the audience becomes successful to understand the speech of the speaker, the entire effort of communication process becomes successful or effective (McCroskey, 2015). This particular communication model of Aristotle has been widely accepted by numerous renowned scholars. Action Plan: In order to develop my knowledge in communication skill some of the major initiatives can be taken. In this particular part, I have focused to develop an action plan over six highlighting some of the major areas. The primary purpose of this particular action plan would be developing on those highlighted key areas: one hand, a particular diploma course is not very much time consuming. On the other hand, I would be able to enhance my skill within the limited time. A post graduation course will be able to provide me detailed knowledge and understanding on how I should develop my communication skill. The only disadvantage of advanced post graduation course is that it is very much time consuming. I would have to pay a full concentration for two years in order to complete the course. At the same time, it is undeniable that post graduation course is always helpful to provide in-depth knowledge and understanding. I can follow self-help book as well written by various eminent author. These books can help me to enhance my skills and competency. In order to develop my speaking quality I can focus on self-help books as well. As a result, I would not have to pay any additional money for doing diploma course or post graduation course. Going through various journals based on communication skill evaluation: Numerous scholars have written their own perception on how to enhance communication skill. As an individual, I can focus on the journals as well with the help of which I would get a proper direction on how to evaluate my skills and competencies. At the same time, it is undeniable that the language of journals is comparatively difficulties to evaluate. As a result, I may have to face challenges in order to get proper direction from the journals. At the same time, one of the most advantages of depending on journals is the opportunity of self-evaluation. I would get the scope to make a self-evaluation for improving my skill of communication. Taking guidance from mentor: In order to enhance my skill I should take a proper guidance from my mentor. AI can hire a person having several years experience in teaching in the field of language. This particular person would be able to rectify my mistakes. At the same time, communication skill can be enhanced by making continuous practices. Therefore, my teacher can be my partner who will constantly support me for enhancing my communication skill. An effective interaction with an experienced person would be fruitful for me to develop skill and competency. Reference List: Appelbaum, E. (2013). The impact of new forms of work organization on workers.Work and Employment in the High Performance Workplace,120. Beardsley, R. S., Kimberlin, C. L., Tindall, W. N. (Eds.). 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