EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION: From Theory to Practice
Application Exercise #2 � From Theory to Practice
This is the second of the four application exercises in this course. Please spend some time working through this exercise as it should provide you with a chance to use the theory in a practical way that you can take with you into your practice as a leader/manager.
NOTE: To complete this portion of Assignment 5 valued at 5% of your final grade, you need to complete Application Exercise #2 and then make a posting in the Unit 4 Conference. Please review the Assessment Overview page before you make your posting so that you are aware of how your posting will be evaluated. Your tutor will be reviewing your posting to see if you have summarized the key findings you discovered in doing the application exercise. Your posting will achieve the maximum value if it is succinct and insightful showing clearly how you have applied the theory learned in the course to a practical situation.
Just Listen to Yourself
Here is an interesting idea for improving your ability to communicate at work. One CEO, Ralph Stayer, tried tape recording a meeting when he became frustrated that employees did not seem to hear his messages. Reviewing the tapes revealed to Ralph that he stifled employee participation. For example, as soon as an idea was opened for discussion, Stayer himself would jump in with, \"What do you think? Here\'s what I think.\" Painful as it was to play back his own words, Stayer says the tape helped him understand and change his communication approach and employees are now more comfortable voicing their opinions.
Reflect on your communication at your last meeting to assess your communication strengths and weaknesses make some notes to yourself regarding your discoveries in your course notes . You may also ask a trusted colleague for a second perspective on your communication skills.
