Diagnosis and reflection
Communication plays a vital role which contributes towards the better flow of information or exchange of information. The term interpersonal communication can be understood as communication which took place between two or more people. Interpersonal communication skills contribute to the development of healthy relationship at workplace. An individual must develop communication skills as these help in the attainment of personal and professional objectives. This assignment will discuss five diagnostic tools which are used for the purpose of evaluation of communication skills. Two critical issues have been identified which are acting as a barrier in the process of effective communication and these are a lack of confidence and inability in expressing one’s thoughts. Literature review section of the assignment will focus on the behavioural and conceptual information which possess the potential to enhance communication skills competence. An action plan will be prepared for the identification of different activities which helps in enhancing communication skills.
Different diagnostic tools are available which can be used for analysing my communication skills. These diagnostic tools which are used for analysis of my communication skills are Johari Window, Communication Style Questionnaire, Assertiveness Questionnaires, Interview skills checklist and Interpersonal commutation. I have used these tools for the analysis of strengths and weaknesses of my communication skills. I have identified few communication issues with the help of these tools.
Communication style questionnaire is used for the purpose of highlighting the communication style adopted by an individual (Beausaert, et. al., 2013). The amiable score was used for analysing the score I have gained for my communication style and I have got 9 rating out of 18 which shows that I have adopted a dominant communication style. I have an issue in communicating during the formal settings such as presentations, meetings and interviews. Amiable individuals are those who view themselves as dependable, respectful, agreeable and supportive while keeping the focus on the present scenario. Amiable individuals adopt a communication pattern which includes being quiet, accurate, a good listener and performing tasks timely and warmly. I get frustrated as the environment preference.
Another tool which is used is Assertiveness questionnaires for the evaluation of the communication skills. During the passive attitude scale, I have scored 12 out of 15. I handle things calmly even under pressure. This attitude of mine has restricted my communication skills as I am not able to defend myself in front of my seniors and in group discussions.
I have used Johari window for the identification of the different communication skills possessed by me. With the use of Johari window, I have developed knowledge of verbal as well as non-verbal communication. I have learnt about the manner in which communication is to be done in a culture full of diversity. With the use of Blind area quadrant, I have gained knowledge of increased perception and ability to decipher non-verbal cues. Hidden area quadrant has helped in gaining knowledge of few skills including the ability to analyse others emotions by their tone while talking. The fourth quadrant has helped me in the identification of the areas which are unknown and skills are required for the promotion of the communication throughout the diverse cultural groups.
Literature review
Interview skills checklist has helped me in identifying the effectiveness of communication skills during interviews. With the help of this tool, I have analysed that stressed and anxious are the main issues which affect my communication skills during interviews. I am lacking in maintaining eye contact and get panic easily even if I know the answers to the questions asked. I have to learn strategies for dealing with this issue.
Interpersonal communication has helped in the identification of the manner in which I am communicating with other individuals. I have scored 71 out of 90 during the self-assessment. This has helped me in identifying that I am a competent communicator. I still feel that I need to develop my interpersonal communication skills and for this, I have to undergo a training program.
The issues which have been highlighted after using these tools include lack of effectiveness in expressing views and lack of confidence. These issues got highlighted during professional interactions. During an interview at The Nam Hai resort, I have faced an issue of eye contact and nervousness due to which I had given wrong answers to the questions asked in the interview. In spite of all this, I had cleared that interview. I have gone through another professional experience which has helped me in identifying my weaknesses. During this experience, I had interacted with high-ranking businessmen of big travel agents from multiple countries at the Grand Tourane Hotel in Da Nang, Vietnam. My work was to manage their time schedule and meeting their needs and demands. This incident was a tough challenge for me.
Thus, major issues which I have identified are a lack of confidence, lack of aggressiveness for gaining control of different situations and lack of straight forward attitude. These tools have helped me in the identification of the strengths and weaknesses. I have to develop my communication skills and must communicate with aggressiveness when required or demanded by the situation. This will help me in passing information in a better manner. It is vital to develop communication skills and for this training can be taken. It will help in enhancing communication skills and overcoming the issues.
Use of the diagnostic tools has helped me in the identification of the weaknesses and strengths in relation to the communication skills possessed by me. The major weaknesses or issues which have been identified are a lack of confidence in communicating with others during meetings, interviews and defending oneself in front of seniors, getting nervous and panic during the interview due to which I have given wrong answers to the questions asked by the interviewer (Developing skills, 2015). All these issues are leading towards the poor interpersonal communication skills and poor interview skills and there is a need to develop and adopt strategies for coping with these issues which are limiting my communication skills. I have also faced an issue of being less aggressive due to which I have not been able to communicate and defend myself in front of others (Cyphert, et. al., 2016).
Action Plan
All these issues indicate towards a passive attitude, anxiousness and panic experienced while communicating with different professionals. The major issue behind this attitude is a lack of proper and effective interpersonal skills and wrong assertiveness attitude. Passive attitude can be explained as failure faced by an individual in taking charge of their communication which creates an impact on the ideas given by others (Dutta, 2013). This passive communication style has acted as a limitation on the communication skills as passive individuals lack in attracting attention and ineffectiveness in communicating the information which they wanted to communicate to the other person (Stephenson, et. al., 2015). The term Passive communication can be explained as the capability of the individual to express or communicate the information or message and the above issue can be best described with this term (Elliott & Scallan, 2016). Individuals with passive attitude may face few issues which include limited ability to communicate the desired message, communication of the personal needs of the individual and lack in negotiating (Wagner, et. al., 2011). Before communicating with a professional one must prepare material for the communication so as to prepare oneself in advance. An individual must take a stand for what it feels and must communicate it with others. This enhances the confidence level and contributes towards the development of the communication skills of the individual (Grellier & Goerke, 2014).
It is vital to prepare in advance before the occurrence of the actual event as it will ensure the delivery of the actual message which an individual intended to deliver. Effective interpersonal skills involve communicating the intended message in a proper manner so as to ensure that the message is passed in a proper manner between the parties. An expressive style must be adopted by an individual for enhancing its communication skills (Hawkins, 2015). The expressive style of communicating will help in dealing with the nervousness due to which stress and anxiety increases. An expressive individual can be explained as a person who supports the thoughts or views they believe in (Yale, 2014). This will enhance the communication skills as well as will result in a change in the behaviour along with encouraging the individual for expressing its views freely. Another advantage of being an expressive individual is a change in the manner an individual communicates which creates a better impression on others (Helyer, 2015).
The main reason behind the lack of confidence during communication process is the lack of preparation for the event and lack of effective communication skills. Lack of confidence increases stress and anxiety due to which the message or the information which has to be passed gets affected. A communicator must be confident while passing on a message as the listeners believes what the communicator is communicating (Ivey, et. al., 2016). Communication apprehension affects the communication process as poor communication adversely affects the behaviour of the listeners towards the communicator and the message it is sharing. Communication anxiety has affected the communicator in this case as the Communicator was unable to communicate in a proper manner due to stress and lack of confidence (Kirkwood, et. al., 2011). The oral presentation is challenging in comparison to written presentation as during oral presentation, there is a need of high level of confidence in the individual during the communication process. There is a need to understand those factors which result in a lack of confidence and increase in anxiety and stress. One must prepare before getting engaged in the actual communication (McLean, 2012). For example: before an interview, one must get prepared for the questions which could be asked during the interviews so that the individual is confident and stress-free during the interview.
Strategies must be developed for dealing with these issues and reducing stress and anxiety during communication. These strategies will enhance the quality of communication skills possessed by the individual. Confidence level must be increased as the most important factor which is behind these issues is a lack of confidence (McGrath, 2014). Preparation before the actual incident or event is vital as this is one of the best strategies which can help in dealing with the issues faced in this case. The focus on the individual must be on the questions asked during the interview so as to answer the questions asked in an effective manner. An individual must be attentive and focused on the communication process (Nicoleta-Mariana Iftimie, 2015). Another strategy which can be used for the issues faced in this case is to enhance communication skills and interpersonal skills by undertaking training sessions for these issues (Krasavina & Aiman Al Akkad, 2015). Training sessions are effective in developing the individual and preparing the individual for the different situations. Communication skills are important for every individual and one must focus on the development of communication skills for the attainment of the objectives set (Romito, et. al., 2015).
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Timeline |
Activities |
Description |
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1st to 3rd months |
Undergoing short training sessions |
These short training sessions will help in contributing to my knowledge by developing my communication skills. For example: § Professional Development Training Institute is providing a 1-day Communication Skills Training course. § The Queensland University of Technology is providing a 1-day course for improving public speaking and communicating sensible messages. § Australia Institute of Management is providing a 2-day Effective Communication course. |
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3rd to 6th Months |
Reading plan |
During this period, books will be read for gaining conceptual knowledge. § Ivey, Allen E., & Daniels, Thomas. (2016). Systematic Interviewing Microskills and Neuroscience: Developing Bridges between the Fields of Communication and Counselling Psychology. International Journal of Listening, 30(3), 99-119. § Grellier, G. & Goerke, V. (2014). Communications toolkit (3rd ed.). South Melbourne, Victoria: Cengage Learning Australia. § McLean, S. (2012). The basics of communication studies (2nd ed., Always learning). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson. § Wagner, J., Liston, B. & Miller, J. (2011). Developing interprofessional communication skills. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 6(3), 97-101. § Romito, L., Jackson, R., Maxwell, L., Clark, C., Hendricks, S., Townsend, B., Mueller, M., Poore, J. A., Mccabe, H. A. & Kelton, G. (2015). Developing Team Communication Skills in a Fast-Paced Interprofessional Learning Activity. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 1(2), 68-69. § Cyphert, D., Dodge, E., & Duclos, L. (2016). Developing Communication Management Skills. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 79(4), 416-441. |
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1st to the 7th month |
Personal journal |
I will keep a personal journal for 6 months and I will maintain the record of experience I have gained and highlighting the lessons which I have learnt. |
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Mentor |
A major focus of the mentor selected from CQU will be on corporate communications so as to enhance my communication skills. Mentor selected, in this case, is Jocelyn Sticklen, Manager, Corporate Communications. Mentor will focus on developing my knowledge and skills. |
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Measuring completion process |
Five diagnostic tools have been applied for the evaluation of the communication skills and these five diagnostic tools are Johari Window, Communication Style Questionnaire, Assertiveness Questionnaires, Interview skills checklist and Interpersonal commutation. Targets have been set so as to attain the set objectives. This action plan has been divided different activities over the period of 6 months and performance will be measured with the help of communication assessment test. |
Conclusion
This assignment has been executed over the topic “Interpersonal Communication Skills” in which discussion has been made the different diagnostic tools which have been used for the purpose of analysis of the effectiveness of communication skills possessed. Communication skills are important for every individual as these enhances the capabilities of the individual and helps in the attainment of the desired objectives. Strengths and weaknesses of the individual have been discussed along with the action plan covering a plan or set of activities which will be carried out for enhancing communication skills.
References
Beausaert, S., Segers, M., Fouarge, D. and Gijselaers, W. (2013). Effect of using a personal development plan on learning and development. Journal of Workplace Learning, 25(3), pp.145-158.
Cyphert, D., Dodge, E., & Duclos, L. (2016). Developing Communication Management Skills. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 79(4), 416-441.
Developing skills in intercultural communication and international reporting through work integrated learning courses. (2015). Australian Journalism Review,37(2), 187-204.
Dutta, S. (2013). Business communication. . Dehli: PHI learning .
Elliott, R., & Scallan, S. (2016). Developing communication skills with GP trainees: The REAM approach. Education for Primary Care, 27(2), 138-143.
Grellier, G. & Goerke, V. (2014). Communications toolkit (3rd ed.). South Melbourne, Victoria: Cengage Learning Australia.
Hawkins, N.D. (2015). Examining the Leader Development Process: The Development and Validation of a Leader Education and Development Model. (Doctoral dissertation, Regent University).
Helyer, R. (2015). The work-based learning student handbook. Palgrave Macmillan.
Ivey, Allen E., & Daniels, Thomas. (2016). Systematic Interviewing Microskills and Neuroscience: Developing Bridges between the Fields of Communication and Counseling Psychology. International Journal of Listening, 30(3), 99-119.
Kirkwood, Jessica, Gutgold, Nichola D., & Manley, Destiny. (2011). Hello World, It’s Me: Bringing the Basic Speech Communication Course into the Digital Age. Communication Teacher, 25(3), 150-153.
McGrath, M. (2014). Personal development plan. Leading the Way, 11(1), p.21.
McLean, S. (2012). The basics of communication studies (2nd ed., Always learning). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson.
Nicoleta-Mariana Iftimie. (2015). Developing English Communication Skills in a Different Cultural Context: Matches and Mismatches. Revista Romaneasca Pentru Educatie Multidimensionala, 7(1), 169-180.
Romito, L., Jackson, R., Maxwell, L., Clark, C., Hendricks, S., Townsend, B., Mueller, M., Poore, J. A., Mccabe, H. A. & Kelton, G. (2015). Developing Team Communication Skills in a Fast-Paced Interprofessional Learning Activity. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 1(2), 68-69.
Stephenson, T., Mayes, L., Combs, E., & Webber, K. (2015). Developing Communication Skills of Undergraduate Students through Innovative Teaching Approaches. NACTA Journal, 59(4), 313-318.
Wagner, J., Liston, B. & Miller, J. (2011). Developing interprofessional communication skills. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 6(3), 97-101.
Yale, Robert N. (2014). The Impromptu Gauntlet: An Experiential Strategy for Developing Lasting Communication Skills. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 77(3), 281-296.
Yulia V. Krasavina, & M. Aiman Al Akkad. (2015). Developing Professional Information And Communication Skills Through E-Projects. Obrazovanie I Nauka, 0(10), 93-104.
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