What does Communication mean to you?

 

Video: TEDTalk- How to speak so that people want to listen

Speaker: Julian Treasure (2014)

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIho2S0ZahI 

    Managers create strategies to drive their organizations to success. Communication can have many approaches and strategies to implement, but what is clear is managers that communicate effectively increase productivity and financial stability for their companies (Veltsos & Hynes , 2021). Extensive managerial communication procedures experience greater reach and improve the potential for changes, by not only implementing changes at a managerial level but also providing and informing stakeholders with the purpose, reasons for the change and with the appropriate training or awareness to empower employees to face changes. 

     I define Communication as a framework of strategies, techniques, actions and decision-making processes that drive organizations to success and goal achieving. How to assess if communication is effective among your organization? This is a simple exercise we can all do by answering the following:

1. Do you know whom to ask if you have specific questions of your organization's procedures or guidelines?

2. What platforms can you visit to get yourself inform on current changes within your company? 

3. What is your organizational mission or core values? 

4. How does your job align with this core values? 

    Treasure (2014) shares with his audience not only the best principles of effective communication, he also defines key points people should implement to make us appealing to other's ears. As managers the majority of our interactions are verbal, therefor is important to be aware of the way we speak to others. Some of the points Treasure discusses are to: 

• Avoid gossip, judging, negativity, complaining, excuses, lies and dogmatism to interfere in our communication with others. 
•  Always speak with honesty, authenticity, integrity and love or respect to others.
• Utilize appropriate tone, volume, pitch, pace, timbre and speak in prose to allow ourselves sound appealing to others. 
• Set the appropriate environment for the exchange, and to communicate with consciously engaged people, by setting the correct environment that will allow the other party to focus on the conversation (accommodating to the other party needs or circumstance). 

    After watching the TEDTalk video is important that we pay attention to the bullet points communication expert Julian Treasure shared with us, the main take away from his session is HAIL (honesty, authenticity, integrity and love). This technique allows us to project ourselves as we are, express our believes or opinions in a clear and honest way utilizing integrity in our decisions and respecting other people by wishing them the best no matter the result of our interaction. 

Thank You, 

Resources:

Veltsos J. R. & Hynes G. E. (2021). Managerial Communication: Strategies and Applications. SAGE Publications Inc., pp. 3-11

Treasure J. (2014) How to speak so that people what to listen. TEDTalk. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=eIho2S0ZahI 

The DIKA Model

 

Organizational have their own strategies to reach goals and to create action plans. The DIKA Model provides not only a procedure or framework, but helps individuals to reach the highest level of thinking skill, to create. A resourceful manager not only sets the lead based on experience, it trains and encourages teams to create a plan or goal setting. The core base for this approach is data. In the modern world, we have data at the tip of a fingers. There is information flowing from different communication channels at a non stop pace, and accessibility is no longer an issue. 

Information in the DIKA model represents the relevant data previously sorted and displayed using data analysis tools like charts, tables, illustrations, etc. These tools helps to present information in a way that provides value, emphasizes useful data, achieves readability and avoids redundancy (Veltsos & Hynes, 2021). Knowledge develops through the utilization of the data presented and shared and implemented among the organization. 

This approach can be applied to different career fields, in the aviation manufacturing world, data is key to develop and sustain profitable and secure research/development projects. An example of this can be the goal of building a new aircraft model with no risks of "landing gear" accidents. In this event the DIKA model can be applied:

D- collect data on passed landing gear accidents, use the expertise of mechanics and engineers, accident report, etc. 

I- utilize the information that is relevant, determine this through an evaluative process, and present what is useful 

K- share the findings or data within the organization and incorporate it to the process

A- create the building model or strategy utilizing relevant information previously collected and proven to accomplish goal

Reference: 

Veltsos J.R. & Hynes G. E. (2021) Managerial Communication: Strategies and Applications. Sage Publications Inc. 8th edition 

Cultural Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

 

Speaker: Donald Thompson

video link : The ROI of Diversity & Inclusion (May 2021) - YouTube 

Organizations that implement a diverse and inclusive standards become more profitable and can expand their reach within clients or customers. We understand what the terms diversity and inclusion mean, but in terms of culture, what makes a good intercultural communicator? A manager that celebrates cultural diversities and apply inclusive practices is the one who accepts, adapts and integrate this differences to promote a healthier and dynamic environment. We accept differences by acknowledging them and by getting ourselves informed about them, adapt by being able to emphasize or connect, and integrate when differences are embraced and celebrated (Veltsos & Hynes, 2021). 

Thompson (2021) exposes the positive effect we can fid if instead of feeling ashamed of our unique characteristics, we empower upon them and embrace them to help us reach success. This is a thoughtful and positive technique that an help us adapt in a diverse group. Differences are what makes us individuals, and as individuals we should celebrate what makes us stand from the crowds. In the workplace, is necessary for managers to develop a diverse and inclusive culture that provides just and fair opportunities to all individuals without consideration of law protected characteristics and believes or opinions. 

Some of the practices we can implement to ensure we are creating a cultural diverse and inclusive environment are: 

*acknowledging holidays or special dates of different cultures

*extending inclusiveness to religious focused groups 

*extending inclusiveness to different nationalities and ethnic groups

*acknowledge different languages

*acknowledge and celebrate cultural difference

*learn about other's cultures

*promote a save environment 

*hire from other countries

*accommodate religious practices (ex. allow praying time for certain groups)

*understand and accommodate cultural attire and behaviors

When communicating to a diverse group of people is important to utilize appropriate language, tone and nonverbal gestures. Cultures vary on the way of communicating, that's why is important to pronounce words correctly, not rush, use visualization and other resources for demonstrations, avoid slang and ensure all concerns and questions are addressed. 

Resources

Veltsos, J. R., & Hynes, G. E. (2021). Managerial Communication: Strategies and Applicatrions. Sage Publications, Inc. 8th edition pp 317-331

Thompson, D. (2021). The ROI of diversity and inclusion. Embry Riddle Vantage Point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiulrECgAnE

Listening: An Essential Aspect of Communication

 

TedTalk with William Ury: The Power of Listening 

Link: The power of listening | William Ury | TEDxSanDiego - YouTube/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saXfavo1OQo 

    Managers that listen are able to create a positive impact within their organization. We can define listening as an act of engaging with attention to the information being communicated to us. There are key points individuals can apply to ensure their listening is effective. Some of these points are: have motivation to listen, show willingness, and avoid internal noise in our minds (Veltsos & Hynes, 2021). Ury 2015, shares how internal noise can affect the way we listen. While we listen to what is being communicated to us, we need to quiet our minds to be able to listen to what is not being said by the other person. 

    Day to day communication channels are an important aspect of communication in the workplace, valuable information can be shared. This type of informal channel result in a variation from formal sources that can limit interaction and engagement. No matter what communication channel we are using, there are some techniques to ensure we practice active listening:

1. Identify the main idea or supporting points of the message being shared

2. Organize the message by the speaker

3.Summarize the message

4. Visualize the message 

5. Personalize the message 

6. Take notes ( Veltsos & Hynes, 2021)

    Organizations use different communication channels to engage with the employees and managers. What channels of communication does your organization utilize? Do they encourage a day to day communication channel for employees to engage between each other? From a personal perspective, my organization utilizes virtual IM communication channels like "Microsoft Teams". This method is encouraged to be used as a primary resource to get in contact with specific individuals due to the speed of the deliverance of such platform. As individuals is important to assess our listening skills to seek improvement. Some of the listening skills I utilize in my daily functions are:

1. Focus on the message being received

2. Engage nonverbally with the other individual (being attentive) 

3. Reassure willingness and to assist if necessary

4. Always being in the lookout for what the essence of the message is trying to be delivered                    (sometimes people do not explicitly express what they need)

5. Respond appropriately with feedback or questions to clarify or seek to obtain more information.

 What listening skills do you utilize in your workplace to effectively communicate with coworkers or managers? 

Resources: 

J. Veltsos & G. Hynes (2021). Managerial Communication: Strategies and Applications. Sage Publications Inc., pp. 267-274 

W. Ury (2015). The Power of Listening. TeDTalk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saXfavo1OQo

 

Organizational Online Behavior

 

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aAivrIUH1s

TED Talk with Jeff Hancock- Future of Lying

    As we enter the digital era, many organizations have develop specific behavior etiquette policies for their employees. Privacy measures that protects business interest from being disclosed online through employee's social media platforms. Some companies, go beyond that and prohibits the use of recording devices in the workplace and do not permit employee's to post online the name of the company they work for. 

    Hancock (2016) Talk, discusses proven relation between our online behavior and our real personality traits. He shares how recent studies shown correlation between individual's Facebook profile and their real personality. Another interesting fact he the social scientist brings up, is the empowerment society has developed to lye or share unethical behaviors through online platforms like false reviews, social media, dating websites, etc. This phenomenon can definitely affect our history and the personal impression we transmit, as it can be confusing to identify who's being sincere and who isn't or what's real and what is not.

    Taking a look into our colleagues online platforms profiles can tell us what kind of presence they are having online. We can examine or compare those ways of communicating with their daily-in-person personal traits and behaviors. In an effort to better utilize this network platforms, we can examine our social media profiles and ask ourselves: What message am I conveying  as an individual?. After watching Hancock's video, we can reflect on what skills, knowledge and messages we truly want to share about us.

"A lack of transparency results in distrust and a deep sense of insecurity"

-Dalai Lama 

Resource:

Hancock J. (2016). Future of Lying. TEDTalk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aAivrIUH1s 

    

    

Listening Beyond Differences

Video link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsSd2nmoKNA 

with Elizabeth Lesser 

    Communication is an active exercise, is more than delivering a message and waiting for an answer. In this TED Talk video, Lesser (2017) explains the best practices to have a successful conversation with an individual with different and evident believes or opinions during lunch. The main points she encourages is to listen without interrupting, questioning and no room to attempt convincing the other person to support our differences. These techniques helped her to demolish the opinion she had towards the other individual, perceptions based on stereotypes.

    In the latest years managers have understand the importance of listening, through managerial approaches that allow for the inclusion of others points of view and empowerment of participation. Listening have demonstrated to have benefits for businesses. A few of those benefits are: 

(1) Managers that listed are more accurate, they make less errors and become a support for others.

(2) Managers that listen tend to maintain a greater respect among others; they are perceived as caring. 

(3) This quality can allow a more harmonious work environment because employees develop trust for those supervisors or managers that take the time to listen (Veltsos & Hynes, 2021). 

    Taking this experience to a workplace, I would attempt Lesser's communication exercise and develop a conversation  with someone who differs from my perspective or believe that business cultures should be founded on ethical behaviors and actions. A beneficial way of communicating with this person would be by avoiding to engage on listening barriers. These barriers include lack of motivation, lack of willingness, a noisy place with interruptions with not enough time to develop the conversation (Veltsos & Hynes, 2021). To have an objective and transparent conversation setting aside possible biases to avoid negative outcomes, to express my points of view and listen without judgement, instead use exploratory questions, would be some of the techniques we can apply to ensure a successful communication exercise or conversation. 

    Having honest and transparent conversations with individuals that possess different points of views or believes can help us to develop better listening skills along with broader understanding and tolerance. In the best of cases we should be able to erase any stereotypes linked to an specific group of people. As managers is important to listen and acknowledge everyone else opinions without comparing or contrasting them to ours, instead, ask questions before making any judgement. 

Who would you take to lunch? 

Thanks, 

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
― Stephen R. Covey

Reference: Veltsos J.R. & Hynes G.E. (2021) Managerial Communication: Strategies and Practices. Sage Publications (8th edition)  pp. 265-272

 

Real Words- Words that Reach

 

Video:  Beautiful New Words to Describe Obscure Emotions (TED - 7:29)  

    Communication is the act of transferring information from one side to the other. In this process, complexity develops when trying to implement the best practices that will ensure the information or message gets successfully delivered or absorbed.  This process contents the sender, who encodes the ideas into text, words or signals and the receiver, who interprets the information and uses it to take an action (Veltsos & Hynes, 2021). The message can be delivered using different channels, nevertheless, words have been the laid foundation for the communication and thought process. 

    John Koenig (2016) talk, defines real words as the ones who provide access to the minds, words that are able to reach people's understanding and be filled with a meaning deposited into them by people. There are words with universal cognitive meaning, like for example "huh?", denotes confusion and a request for clarification or repetition of the message being delivered. These universal or commonly used jargon can vary depending the workplace in which they are utilized. An example of this is the insurance field. Words like "out-of-pocket, write-off and new-for-old", are some of the jargon used in this specific industry. This words establish an internal communication code among employees that helps in the creation of policies/decision making, and because of the sensitivity of its meaning, they must be utilized properly. These messages are being shared employee to employee, and employee to customer in specific situations. Commonly used jargon in the workplace help employees communicate at the same level and more efficiently because it resumes or condenses a message within. 

     Along with real words, Persuasive Managerial Communication can help organizations in the implementation of best communication practices, helping with ambiguity and confusion present in the company's environment. This strategy can also reinforce productive learning among internal stakeholders (Muthusamy, 2019). Implementing positive and effective words as part of the communication strategy can motivate and add significant value to the performance within employees and can elevate inspiration and motivational drives among them as well. 

What are some real words that facilitate communication in your workplace? 

Thank you for reading! 

"So difficult it is to show the various meanings and imperfections of words, when we have nothing but words to do it with"- John Locke 

References: 

    Muthusamy S.K. (2019). Power of Positive words: communication, cognition, and organizational transformation. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 1 (32), 103-122. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-05-2018-0140 

Veltsos J.R. & Hynes G.E. (2021) Managerial Communication: Strategies and Practices. Sage Publications (8th edition) pp. 31-32