Communicating Effectively
This week we were asked to observe a piece of communication in three different modalities: written text (e-mail), audio (voicemail), and video (face-to-face). We were then asked to answer several questions about how we interpreted each message.
How did your interpretation of the message change from one modality to the next?
I found it interesting that the e-mail and the face-to face-portion seemed very casual and not so urgent. The voicemail to me seemed very frantic, and urgent. I would have responded more quickly to the voicemail than the others.
What factors influenced how you perceived the message?
The e-mail was written so that the words were highlighted to stress the importance of the message. A visual learner would see this and understand the importance of getting the report sent, or see it as harsh and abrasive. I saw it as important, but I would get around to it when I had the time.
The voice mail seemed to sound a bit more frantic. There was an inflection in the voice that made me want to get the report out as soon as I could.
The face-to-face seemed very casual and nonchalant. Almost a “whenever” tone. The way the narrator was standing made me feel that it was not urgent or sincere. I would have done it just so I didn’t have to see that person hanging on my cubicle again.
Which form of communication best conveyed the true meaning and intent of the message?
In my opinion, the voice mail seemed to be the most effective communication. I would have sent an ETA, or the report itself right away. I heard the tone of voice and was immediately responsive to its urgency. But, that is just how I perceive it. After showing the exercise to several of my students, the responses were all different. Some liked the casual tone of the face-to-face, and others responded more positively to the e-mail.
What are the implications of what you learned from this exercise for communicating effectively with members of a project team?
It is important to communicate with all members of the team in all modalities. Different people are going to interpret each communication in a different way. Learning styles will determine how a person will respond to the message,
This activity has shown the importance of communicating in different modalities to ensure that everyone involved gets the message in the way that they will best interpret it. Past classes have discussed the importance of knowing different learning styles, and this activity shows the importance of catering to those styles. Just showing it to a few students has shown the different ways that people learn and interpret, and that an ID needs to keep that in mind when communicating with the stakeholders in a project.
Resource
Laureate Education, Inc. (n.d). Multimedia Program. "The Art of Effective Communication" Retrieved from: http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6145/03/mm/aoc/index.html
Isn't it funny how different individuals respond to different formats of communication? Portny, Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, Sutton and Kramer (2008) speak to the importance of choosing the appropriate communication for the task and for the audience. This assignment really demonstrated that idea. Like you, I thought the voicemail had a "stressed" tone, but I found the face-to-face more compelling. Although Jane didn't have the same panicked tone, I would respond to the face-to-face most quickly. It may be that I feel more guilty when someone comes to my cubicle, or maybe, like you said, I just didn't want Jane hanging over the cubicle wall again.
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting that your students varied widely in their perceptions. Your point that project managers need to deliver information in multiple modes is well taken - it is not about what the project thinks is the best mode, it is about knowing the audience and catering to their preferences!
References
Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Chris,
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to have your students participate in the activity to gain a better perceptive of the assignment. I do admit that this activity has opened my eyes to the fact that there is much more to communicating. I totally agree with you that you do need to understand your receiver before communicating, to be able to truly communicate effectively them. Thank for your insight.
Sandra
References
Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Roeser,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that the same message was also identified to mean different things by different people. For me i thought the Email message was the one that attempted to communicate the most urgency. The Voicemail and the face to Face had a tinge of casualness that removed the sense of urgency and downgraded the communication to usual office banter.
This may put paid to the assertion by Stolovich (n.d) that different stakeholders get different meaning to communication modalities and that is why we should use multimodal communication avenues.
But you review of the three modalities was quite insightful.
David