Communicating Effectively with Stakeholders - Blog Assignment

Choosing Effective Communications:

• How did your interpretation of the message change from one modality to the next? - I found that the mode of communication did affect how I interpreted the message.   I expected that I would like the e-mail, dislike the voice message and like the face-to-face communication.  However, I preferred one way over the other two and I didn't expect that outcome from myself. 

• What factors influenced how you perceived the message? - I was shocked at my reaction to two of the messages, and I couldn't help feeling a little irritated that I felt that way.  I immediately became defensive and built-ridden and this was just a response to a video!  I suppose it's from teaching and from being in the Military, but I had my "whiny" filter raised, and couldn't get past it.  I am nor proud, but they were my reactions.

• Which form of communication best conveyed the true meaning and intent of the message? - I felt that it was easier to feel less irritated at the lady-asking-for-help because of the formality of the voice-mail communication.  She had a limited amount of time to tell me what she wanted and no time insert her emotions.  I read finger-pointing in the e-mail communication.  If I were to receive that message I wouldn't like it because I felt a bit put-down because I was causing this lady so much trouble, and, of course it's my fault, what have you - the emotions were so evident that I had no desire to finish whatever part of the her design I owed her.  The face-to-face informal chat felt like a confrontation, the lady draped herself all over the office cubicle in an unprofessional manner.  Again, she seemed condescending - her irritation and her emotions - and her desire to raise my level of concern by guilt didn't pay off.  However, in the voice mail she seemed more intent on getting her point across, factually  I could focus on what needed to be done without trying to contain my irritation at her "whininess," even though I seemed to be to blame for the missing design piece.

• What are the implications of what you learned from this exercise for communicating effectively with members of a project team?  - If I am working with a team I need to deal with my own reactions and not read anything into what I am being told.  On the other hand, I have to filter out any similar emotions when I am dealing with a team-member who is lagging behind, for whatever reason. I absolutely have to focus on relating facts to that team member in a non-confrontational manner.  Whether he is a peer, superior, or someone I supervise, bringing my own irritation into the situation exacerbates the mess.  I am also saying that I need to know who I am communicating with and understand their preferred means of communication.  For some people a lazy, feel-good chat is necessary, because they "lead with their emotions," for others a brief presentation of the facts and a more respectful way of asking to be of help (than was presented in the video) is better