| 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
