Additional Course Related Media

Below is the first video which we receive bad feedback due to bad sound quality and bad location. There were also too many distractions in the background.

Upon receiving those feedback, we film our video which was then use in our actual presentation. We really appreciate the feedback given.

Critical Reflection on Learning Points in the Course

In this semester, I learn about interpersonal and work communication. It helps me to understand myself and others more as it is always related to our daily lives. I have learnt the importance of communication between two or more people.

At first, I thought communication is just making sure that my message is being delivered and received by the receiver. I did not know there was more to it. When I started this module, I then realised communication consist of many factors such as verbal and non-verbal communication, resolving interpersonal conflict etc.

Verbal and non-verbal communication taught me many ways to communicate, observe and react. By speaking, writing, body language, gesture, facial expressions, eye contact, posture, etc. It can affect people’s perceptions and exchanges in subtle but significant ways. Learning these skillset made me more confident in myself. I became more outspoken to the people around me.

The other skillset I learnt is the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. There are 5 modes mainly: Competing, Accommodating, Avoiding, Collaborating and Compromising. I was taught how to use these 5 modes to manage conflicts, when to use and when not to use. This really helps me a lot in the real world as a team player. Now my team is more bonded and able to produce better quality work.

In conclusion, communication play a big part in our life. Knowing how to use it effectively helps me in my future use. I am very grateful that I had taken this module and able to build better relationships with each other.

Critical Reflection on Project Learning

In this semester, I learn about interpersonal and work communication. It helps me to understand myself and others more as it is always related to our daily lives. One focus of the project is my presentation skills. Despite having several presentation in my polytechnic, I still face the problem in speaking confidently. In this course, I learned about verbal and non-verbal communication. This taught me how to communicate, observe and react well.

Till now I still have the nervous stage fright. I was afraid that I am not presentable enough and might bore the audience. When things goes wrong, I turn into panic state. However, through this module I learnt that there are many ways to react. I have pick up some skills of verbal and non-verbal communication. In the past I used to read directly from the slides or my script and it became boring to the audience. During this presentation, I started to make my presentation more lively and read less from the slides. Asking questions to the audience was a good tactic to get them more interested in my presentation. Now I realize how verbal and non-verbal communication can help improve my presentation skills. Despite knowing these ways, I still need more practice to brush up my presentation skills and overcome my fear.

In conclusion, this module taught me a lot of communication skills and apply in our daily lives. It is important to communicate, observe and react well. Interpersonal communication is something everyone can learn and improve on it. It will definitely help you in your future!

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict (Revised)

Interpersonal conflict occurs when a person or group of people frustrates or interferes with another person's efforts at achieving a goal. Conflict can consist of three different components. 
Firstly, the behavioral component which involves someone interfering with the objectives of another person. 
Next, the cognitive component which involves a disagreement between the parties that illustrates the differences between the interests and objectives of the conflicting parties.
Lastly, the affective component which relates to the negative emotional states of the conflicting parties. 

The most common conflict is where two people having different opinions. Their goal is to “win” or make the other person “lose”, showing high concern for self and low concern for others. For example, I happen to see this conflict between a salesman and a customer. Apparently, the customer come back to complain to the salesman about his spoilt product. After explaining why the product didn’t work, the salesman thinks that it isn’t his product fault and said it is probably some external equipment that cause it. The customer isn’t quite happy with his respond and demand a refund. However, the salesman insist that it cannot be refund as it is not caused by technical fault. This conflict went on and on until the manager steps in.

Let’s put it on each persons' point of view. In the salesman’s point of view, he thinks that his product shouldn’t have problem. Another possible reason could be that he does not want to leave a bad reputation to other customers about his product.
In the customer’s point of view, his objective is only to get the refund back regardless of any feedback given.

To sum up, the behavioral component takes place in both perspective as both have an objective to achieve but is interfered by each other. 

In order to solve this conflict, usually we need a third person to make a stand for both of them, simply the judge. They need to have a mutual goals and facilitate to a “win/win” situation for both of them, showing high concern for self and other. Sometimes, you can also put yourself into the shoes of the other person. Empathy is a good form which helps you understand the other person’s message.

If there is no manager and you are the passer by, how will you assist to solve this conflict?

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

Interpersonal conflict occurs when a person or group of people frustrates or interferes with another person's efforts at achieving a goal. Conflict can consist of three different components. 
Firstly, the behavioral component which involves someone interfering with the objectives of another person. 
Next, the cognitive component which involves a disagreement between the parties that illustrates the differences between the interests and objectives of the conflicting parties.
Lastly, the affective component which relates to the negative emotional states of the conflicting parties. 

The most common conflict is where two people having different opinions. Their goal is to “win” or make the other person “lose”, showing high concern for self and low concern for others. For example, I happen to see this conflict between a salesman and a customer. Apparently, the customer come back to complain to the salesman about his spoilt product. After explaining why the product didn’t work, the salesman thinks that it isn’t his product fault and said it is probably some external equipment that cause it. The customer isn’t quite happy with his respond and demand a refund. However, the salesman insist that it cannot be refund as it is not caused by technical fault. This conflict went on and on until the manager steps in.

In order to solve this conflict, usually we need a third person to make a stand for both of them, simply the judge. They need to have a mutual goals and facilitate to a “win/win” situation for both of them, showing high concern for self and other. Sometimes, you can also put yourself into the shoes of the other person. Empathy is a good form which helps you understand the other person’s message.

If there is no manager and you are the passer by, how will you assist to solve this conflict?

Verbal & Non-verbal communication (Revised)

Verbal communication encompasses any form of communication involving words, spoken, written or signed. Together with non-verbal communication, it can affect people’s perceptions and exchanges in subtle but significant ways. Non-verbal communication includes body language, such as gestures, facial expressions, eye contact and posture. Here, I am going to share with you an observation between a salesman and a Caucasian.

Singaporeans have a unique slang within us, called Singlish. I saw a conversation between a Singaporean salesman and a Caucasian tourist. When the Caucasian ask the salesman how this product works, he replied: “Chicken feet lah!” The Caucasian then stop the salesman as was confused, “Why do I need a chicken feet for this product to work!?” He spoke to the salesman in a harsh tone. The salesman then calm him down and explain what he really meant. After the Caucasian understood the meaning of “Chicken feet” both of them started laughing.

This observation made me realise that there is a great language barrier among them as they came from different culture. The way they are brought up are very different.

Besides verbal communication, non-verbal communication can also affect the people around us. The words he said to the Caucasian affect his emotions. The salesman immediately react to his body language when the Caucasian turn red. Facial expression also tell us what the person is feeling now and also show his/her characteristics.

In conclusion, verbal and non-verbal communication can affect how people think and act. Though this may look like a negative story, not everyone thinks the same way. Some may think it as a learning lesson and reflection. Some may think the Caucasian is harsh. We can put ourselves in their shoes, however it all depends on the person's personality, characteristics and how they picture it.

Reference:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/156961-the-importance-of-verbal-non-verbal-communication/

Strengths and Challenges in Communicating

Communication plays a great part in my daily life. It helps me to convey the proper message by adding on different characteristics such as tone, emotion, formality, posture, gesture etc.

I believe my greatest strength would be being observant. I realised many people tend to use their gestures or tone to communicate, instead of just their voice. And if you are not careful, things might go wrong. Throughout the years I observed how people communicate with one another. And I found out that it is an important role in communication. It can restrict me with words that can bring destruction to our talk. Whenever I’m consoling someone, I wouldn’t talk about unhappy moments at all. Rather by observing the situation, I will bring up happy memories to calm him/her down. (Sometimes food helps too!)

My greatest weakness is that I do not to talk much in groups. I used to be an introvert when I was young, even in my closest group of friends I can’t bring up to them. I was afraid that I might say something wrong which could offend someone. So I always keep things to myself. Hardly will anyone know the real side of me. Placing a mask and hiding my true self can be lonely sometimes. Till now I’m still facing this problem although there is much improvement as compared to my younger days.

Over the years communication has helped me improve a lot to who I am today. In communication, every day is a new discovery. I have learnt to build up my strength and use my strength to improve my weakness. By observing i learn from others, from an introvert to an extrovert shows that my communication skill have improve. However, THIS IS NOT THE END!