Interpersonal Communication For Everyday Encounters

Diagnosis and reflection

Discuss about the Interpersonal Communication for Everyday Encounters.

Communication is undoubtedly one of the most important skills that a person at the managerial level should possess. As commented by Arnold and Boggs, (2015), a person involved in the management of a company understands the complexities that are involved in the process of management. Therefore, developing better communication abilities is indeed important. The aim of this study is to diagnose the key areas of communication. In order to evaluate it, a number of diagnostics tools will be used. It is based on the analysis two communication issues will be identified. Theories of inter personal communication will be developed and based on the understanding an action plan will be made.

In order to conduct the self evaluation process, a number of diagnostic tools have been used that has helped in evaluation of self. 5 Diagnostic tools have been used for the self analysis. These tools are Johari Window, Communications Style Questionnaire, Assertiveness Questionnaires, Quinn Management Questionnaire, the ESCI (Emotional Intelligence). The Johari window has helped me to understand my position and relationship with others (Rice & Nguyen, 2015). I have understood that I stay t the hidden area and that I have no knowledge about other people with whom I usually associate with. The Communication Style Questionnaire has helped me to understand the degree of comfort that I feel with others. In this respect, I would like to say that the diagnosis has helped me to understand that I do not feel comfortable with people in groups and at times, I often land up with some arguments with others if I stay in groups (West & Turner, 2013). It has also happened at times that I felt very guilty on the issues. Another important thing I would like to mention that many times I could not make eye contacts with others at the time of talking with them.

Other diagnostic tools like the Self Assertiveness questionnaire helped me to analyze my behavior. With the detailed analysis, I have understood that I am self sufficient when it comes to decision making. I can say it that I can make prompt decision on various situations. This is one of the most vital characteristics that a leader should hold. I believe that I can analyze the situation well and can come to a prompt decision (Carbaugh, 2013). In this respect, I would like to mention that unlike others, I do not feel like taking others’ point of view into consideration but I feel more comfortable when I make decisions on my own. The Quinn Management Questionnaire test has helped me to understand my competences and how well I shall be able manage the situation of an organization. Here lies the importance of developing better communication techniques at the workplace (Pekerti & Thomas, 2015). I have understood that it is important to understand the perspective of others because business is a collaborative approach and that major decisions should be made on understanding others’ perspective as well (Verba, 2015). From the emotional intelligence test, I can say that I am not much concerned about others’ feelings and I generally focus on myself rather than thinking of others. Therefore, I think I need to improve my behavior as well as communication ability in order to create a better relationship with others. 

Personal experience

This part of the paper is based on my personal experience and the major issues of communications that I faced while dealing with people will be expressed here. Two such personal experiences will be narrated here.

Once I went to a restaurant for a team dinner from my workplace. It was a Chinese restaurant. Personally I do not prefer to have Chinese food but as it was a group dinner, I did not say anything. However, a small dispute occurred at the time of ordering food. As I was not comfortable with all types of food item, my opinion with others did not match. In fact, we had an argument as well upon the food items to be ordered. I know that there was a fault from my end because I do not actually like to work on others perspective and I have a dominating characteristics. Therefore, from this understanding, I can say I lack in group communication and that I need to work on improving my group communication skills.

Another incident took place when I went to a party organized by one of our clients. There were some other friends of the client as well as well. Two of his friends were Asian. I had very little knowledge about the culture and tradition of Asian. It was once I said something to one of those friends without any intension to hurt her. However, she was really hurt and even started crying. I felt very awkward and bad as well but then I realized that it was due to my insufficient knowledge about other cultures that I ended up in creating a mess situation. Therefore, I need to develop my cross-cultural communication as well.

With the detail analysis by using diagnostic tools and by professional experience as well, I can easily come down to two issues that I faced during communicating with people.

Ineffective group communication: As it has been evident from both the reflective diagnosis as well as from the personal experience, I have understood that I have some issues related to group communication. I do not understand how to communicate with people when they remain together. I have good communication skills when it comes to talking with individual person but whenever there is a group and that I have to come down to a particular decision that shall address the decision making idea of all the members in the group. Therefore, I need to improve my group communication.

Two communication issues identified

Insufficient cross-cultural communication: Another important drawback of me in terms of communication issue is related to cross cultural communication. I have faced difficulties a lot of times while talking or dealing with people from other cultural backgrounds. I feel that it is important to have a basic knowledge about the culture of others in order to make an effective communication. However, I lack this quality and thus, there another communication issue that I face is definitely insufficiency related to cross cultural communication.

This part of the paper carries out the literature review of understanding the importance of communication and the role that communication plays in a person’s life. As it has been evident that the two major issues identified are ineffective group communication and lack of ability for cross cultural communication. Therefore, the literature review shall focus on these two issues. Models and theories of these concern issues will be discussed. It is on the basis of gaining knowledge from the literature review, an action plan can be developed that might help me to improve my communication activities with others.

As stated by Berwick and Chomsky, (2015), any disruption or failure in the process of communication can be regarded as ineffective communication. Further Berwick and Chomsky, (2015) stated that language is the most pre dominant character when it comes to ineffective communication because communication takes place when there is an incoming and outgoing of messages (Kinloch & Metge, 2014). Therefore, a message can be effective only when both the persons have understanding of the language.

The functional theory of group communication talks about the outcome of an individual’s skills and behavior. This theory focuses on the fact that an effective group communication helps to solve the problems and results in better decision making (Danziger, 2013). It has been pointed out that in order to develop a good group communication, it is important to have a critical approach towards decision making (Merkin, Taras & Steel, 2014). Therefore, there are a number of factors that must be kept in check. For instance, a person should be committed to making best decision. Again, it has been pointed out that identifying the best suitable resources to carry out the communication is important (Harzing & Pudelko, 2014). There are certain rules and interaction practices that one has to develop in order to be a part of the group communication. On the basis of understanding the situation, it is expected that a person should make the necessary adjustments and come down to a particular decision.

Literature review

Keeping the above perspective into consideration, it can be said that I have to be calm and patient when it comes to coming up to a particular conclusion. Therefore, it is important to be critical enough to understand the point of view of other members in the group and then only coming to a particular conclusion or decision.

The symbolic convergence theory is the sense making function of the communication process. Symbolic refers to both verbal and non-verbal communication while convergence states the meaning of the communication process (Hybels, 2014). The central idea of this theory is that in a group communication, some members are often found to come up with certain private code words that can only be decoded if the other members of the group understand the signs and symbols of that particular person (Chaney & Martin, 2013). It is only when there remains chain connectivity with the members of a group, the communication process can be successful (Pennycook, 2014).

In this respect, I have to say that the symbolic codes are easily understandable among a friend group but if the same thing is considered in terms of professional field then the same approach might not be successful enough. However, a certain level of communication has to be made that will help to make the communication better.

As stated by West and Turner, (2013), culture is the way of thinking and living the way that also determines one’s attitudes, values, norms and some beliefs. This norms and beliefs definitely vary from one person to the other and it is for the same reason acknowledging about the culture of others will definitely help to carry out the communication well. Another important thing has been pointed out by Wood, (2015), that in the recent time, the impact of cross culture is much evident and it is for the same reason, one should have a clear understanding about others so as to carry out the communication process easily.

Assumption of similarities: As pointed out by Beebe and Masterson, (2014), in a group communication sometimes the situation arises that a person among others assumes something about other person. This is one of the major reasons that create dispute among the members of a group (Thomas & Peterson, 2014).

Language differences: There remains a great possibility that there will be difference in the languages among the members of a group. With the difference in the language, there remains a great possibility that a member will be aware of the language of the other (Rahman & Dijk, 2014). As evident, a communication cannot take place if the participants do not understand the language of others.

Concept of ineffective group communication

Non-verbal misinterpretation: At times, it happen members in a group communicate with each other by some non-verbal means, with the use of some signs and symbols (Bochner, 2013). It is for the same reason there remains the possibilities of creating a dispute among the members. Thus, it is also important to understand the perspectives of others (Stacks & Salwen, 2014).

I have understood that in the era of globalization, there remains high possibility of the fact that one has to encounter with people from different cultural backgrounds. There remains a great possibility that some kind of dispute will occur if the collaboration level is not good enough among the members of a group. Therefore, it is very important to get a good level of knowledge and understanding about the culture of others as well.

Conclusion:

With the detail analysis on understanding the ineffective means of communication that I face in my life, I have understood that I need to develop my group communication and I have to increase my knowledge on understanding the culture of other people as well. The literature review carried out on understanding the topic has helped me to come up with an action plan that will certainly help me to develop my communication skills and at the same time would mold my behavior as well. Below mentioned are two action plans made to develop my behavior and skills to improve my communication with others.

Factors	Analysis
S- Specific	I have understood that in order to become a part of the corporate world, I have to be a part of many group communications because meetings and conversations are common in professional field and if do not develop my group communication ability, I would have to suffer. In order to develop my group communication, I would like to join some courses that would help me to improve my group communication. I would also read more books and journal articles just to increase my knowledge and understanding on how to develop my group communication.
M- Measurable	My development would be measured if I can comply with people easily. If I can easily overcome the issues that I face in the recent time then I could easily assume that I have developed my group communication.
A- Achievable	The objective is easily achievable if I devote some amount of time and focus on improving my group conversation.
R- Relevant	The objective is absolutely relevant because there is no doubt that we have to face other people either in group or might be individually. However, if we have a negative approach then problems will increase.
T- Timely	I think in order to cope up with this factor I would require a time frame of about 6 months.

Factors	Analysis
S- Specific	In order to increase my efficiency in terms of understanding about others’ culture, I have to increase my knowledge about the culture and tradition of others’. I might enroll myself in a short course where I would get enough knowledge about different cultures and people of different countries.
M- Measurable	It is when I shall be able to deal with people from different backgrounds and that I would not face any trouble while communicating with people, I can ensure that I have improved my communication ability.
A- Achievable	The objective can be easily achieved if I focus on the learning process and devote at least 2 to 3 hours a day in gaining knowledge about others’ culture.
R- Relevant	The objective is absolutely relevant because in the era of globalization and cross-cultural impact, it is highly recommended to have some amount of knowledge and understanding about the culture of others.
T- Timely	In order to achieve this target, I think I will require a time of about 6-8 months. If I concentrate on my development, I can easily achieve the goals.

I believe that if I follow this action plans, there remain a great possibility that the communication process will be carried on very effectively among the different members of a group even if there remains a cultural difference as well.

References:

Arnold, E. C., & Boggs, K. U. (2015). Interpersonal relationships: Professional communication skills for nurses. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Beebe, S. A., & Masterson, J. T. (2014). Communicating in small groups: Principles and practices. Pearson Higher Ed.

Berwick, R. C., & Chomsky, N. (2015). Why only us: Language and evolution. MIT press.

Bochner, S. (Ed.). (2013). Cultures in contact: Studies in cross-cultural interaction (Vol. 1). Elsevier.

Carbaugh, D. (2013). Cultural communication and intercultural contact. Routledge.

Chaney, L., & Martin, J. (2013). Intercultural business communication. Pearson Higher Ed.

Danziger, K. (2013). Interpersonal Communication: Pergamon General Psychology Series (Vol. 53). Elsevier.

Harzing, A. W., & Pudelko, M. (2014). Hablas vielleicht un peu la mia language? A comprehensive overview of the role of language differences in headquarters–subsidiary communication. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 25(5), 696-717.

Hybels, S. (2014). Communicating effectively. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Kinloch, P., & Metge, J. (2014). Talking past each other: Problems of cross cultural communication. Victoria University Press.

Merkin, R., Taras, V., & Steel, P. (2014). State of the art themes in cross-cultural communication research: a systematic and meta-analytic review. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 38, 1-23.

Pekerti, A. A., & Thomas, D. C. (2015). The role of self-concept in cross-cultural communication. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 15(2), 167-193.

Pennycook, A. (2014). The cultural politics of English as an international language. Routledge.

Rahman, A., & Dijk, E. (2014). Group communication for the constrained application protocol (CoAP). Group.

Rice, W. S., & Nguyen, H. B. (2015). Linguistic politeness: the backbone of cross-cultural communication within a second language environment.

Stacks, D. W., & Salwen, M. B. (Eds.). (2014). An integrated approach to communication theory and research. Routledge.

Thomas, D. C., & Peterson, M. F. (2014). Cross-cultural management: Essential concepts. Sage Publications.

Verba, S. (2015). Small groups and political behavior: A study of leadership. Princeton University Press.

West, R., & Turner, L. H. (2013). Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and Application (2013 Ed.).

Wood, J. T. (2015). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters. Nelson Education.