The Art of Effective Communication

 

The Art of Effective Communication

In this blog, I will observe a piece of communication in three different modalities. I will then interpret and reflect upon the communication in each modality and provide a synthesis of my thoughts.

 

Written Interpretation

·       Lots of grammatical errors

·       Seems as if Jane is requesting for a task to be completed as soon as possible

·       Tone of email is not as pleasant

Audio Interpretation

·       Tone of voice is better and perceived different from the email (sounds more empathetic). It is important to understand how to effectively communicate your ideas verbally to avoid misunderstandings and maximize interest while you speak (Types of Communication, 2021).

·       Jane seems to need help with a task that can possibly impact her work.

·       Jane sounds more polite.

Video Interpretation

·       The communication is clearer.

·       Jane comes off as polite and respectful.

·       Jane is putting urgency on the task she’s requesting; however, she seems to be reasonable and understand that Mark will get the information to her as soon as he can.

 

How did your interpretation of the message change from one modality to the next?

As I reviewed and analyzed each modality, my interpretation of the message changed. As I was reading the email, it seemed as if Jane was not as pleasant and could have been a little more considerate in her request regarding Mark’s work and time. As I continued to interpret the message through audio and video, the message was clear, and it seems that Jane was urgent about her request due to trying to reach a deadline that can negatively impact her work if not met.

What factors influenced how you perceived the message?

The grammatical errors and the tone influenced how I perceived the message in the email. As I continued to listen and watch the message via audio and video, the tone of voice and the body language of Jane allowed me to better perceive the message in a positive aspect.  

Which form of communication best conveyed the true meaning and intent of the message?

The exchange of information is vital to the success of two or more individuals working as a team (Fletcher & Major, 2006). Videos are processed by the brain 60,000 times faster than text. For me, the video form of communication best conveyed the true meaning and intent of the message. Body language paired with the tone of voice and choice of words helps me to better understand a message. I always tell people, if there is important information that I should know, call me rather than texting or emailing because I will perceive the information much better.   

What are the implications of what you learned from this exercise for communicating effectively with members of a project team?

The purpose of communication is often to clarify misunderstandings and to acknowledge the receipt of information and the establishment that mutual understanding has occurred between the listener and speaker (Fletcher & Major, 2006). This exercise helped me to understand that there is no one correct way of communicating but it is important to have awareness about what is appropriate in a situation. This is especially important when working with members on a project to avoid any misconceptions or misunderstandings.

 

Reference

Fletcher, T., & Major, D. (2006).  The Effects of Communication Modality on Performance and Self-Ratings of Teamwork Components. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2006.00027.x

Types of Communication. (2021). U of People. Retrieved from, https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/types-of-communication-back-to-basics/