Critical Reflection on SEM2902

Interpersonal and Work Communication, this course has helped me to improve my oral presentation, my communication skill and my writing skill

Initially, i was not aware that communication involves different concepts and applications that helped me in communication. Communication is the act of transferring information from one place to another. Although this is a simple definition, if i were to think about how two people may communicate the subject becomes more complex. There are different categories of communication and the ones that we learned in class were verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication refer any exchange of words through to face-to-face, telephone, radio and other media while non-verbal communication refer to body languages, gestures and how we dress or act. I learnt that non-verbal communication is important based on first-impression . One example would be a interview. I remembered that we had a class activity where Jia Sheng and I were interviewers and Marcus was the interviewee. As a interviewer, i realized that Marcus did not give me a good first impression as he was not dressed for the occasion and he did not greet us before he sat down. I felt that I would not want to hire him. Hence, through this experience, i realized that non-verbal communication is important to set a good impersonation on someone.

We did our presentation on week 13 of this course. I made mistakes such as, too much speech pauses, example such as "um, like" which is very bad reflection of my capability as a speaker. Moreover, I felt that, during my presentation, i rely too much on my notes, it shows poor management of my speech. Hence, from the advice of my teacher, Brad, and my classmates, I know where are my weakness and I will further strengthen it.

One last improvement/feedback that i would take back from this course is my writing skill. Even though, i passed my 'O' level english exam, i always felt that english was my weakest subject.
During my three years of diploma education, gradually, I did not attempt to improve my writing skills. Eventually, through the module, I felt the need to improve my writing skills as my blog post consist of numerous broken sentence structures and grammatical errors. Hence, with the feedback by Brad, i was able to spot the more apparent mistakes that i made and i will further improve on it.

Critical Reflection on Project Learning

Our Project title was "Interpersonal Conflict On Social Media Among Singapore Teens: Resolution"
I will be focusing on talking about the third party interference in a interpersonal conflict with two people.

In our presentation, we talked about the ideal solutions to solve a interpersonal conflict between two people. However, in reality, it is hard to achieve the ideal solution when both parties are not in good term with each other, The solutions that we researched in conflict resolution mention that reflection, such as reflect on the conflict or discussion of the situation with someone which forces you to reflect on your action. Eventually, reflection is recommended to have a better conclusion with your conflict.

I introduced the introduction of our slides and gave a background research and reasoning on why we chose our topic. I felt that the content that I explained was related to our topic title and elaborated on some background research on why we chose our topic and able to project myself well, with good eye contact and voice. However, I notice that I had the tendency to repeat my sentences, rely too much on my notes and i was not formal enough while i was presenting. I felt that my notes was not re liable for me as it was in paragraph. One of my classmates, Kok Zheng, advised that i should have my note in point form so that it was easier for me to refer. I felt that it was because i was nervous that it result to my tenancy to repeat myself. Moreover, I felt that i was too informal with my speech, mainly because the audience was my classmates.

Through this presentation, I learned that I need to take case the choice of words when i was presenting. For example, I used pauses fillers such as "um and like" too much that affect my flow of speech. I would phrase my notes better and in point form so that it is easier to refer.

Updated 15th April 2016

Response to Mr Beta Han

Dear Mr. Han,

We have received your email regarding our T15 Wireless with Bluetooth technology product. We apologize that our product did not meet your expectations. Please be assured that our products are thoroughly tested for sound quality before we release them. I have spoken to our engineers and they are rectifying this issue.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer you a full refund. However, we would be like to replace the faulty product if you are able to make a trip down to our technical support centre. As you mentioned in your email in regards to our warranty period, we would definitely discuss about revising our product warranty period.

Thank you for your feedback.

Sincerely,
Angela Cheng
Head of Customer Service Creative’s PTE LTD


Done By: Angela Cheng, Zong Hong and Mei Ying

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

Interpersonal conflict happens at least once in everyone's life. One can choose to avoid it or solved it. Eventually, we have varied personalities which usually results to incompatible choices and opinions. Apparently, it is a natural occurrence which can eventually help in personal growth or developing your relationships with others. The interpersonal conflict that i am talking about is between my polytechnic internship's schoolmates, Jane, and I. It was during my last semester of my three year polytechnic life and i had a four mouth attachment to a company and the conflict happen when we had a meeting with my supervisor. During the meeting, James makes a remark that some employees are not doing their share of the work.

"I think that there are people who are not working as well as they are expected to be." said James.
Jane and I both felt offended, it was as if he was pinning us down and wanting us to prove to him more. Hence, after the meeting, I decided to have the mindset of doing well and taking up more project to prove to my supervisor that I was capable to doing well even though i was just an intern. However, Jane felt that I was trying too hard to impress my supervisor and think that I was "boot-licking" him to get his attention for myself.

After work, Jane pulled me to a corner and confronted me.
"Why are you trying to boot lick James? Stop trying so hard to get an A. It is pointless." said Jane
"What are you talking about? I am just trying to do my best to prove to him that interns are capable and willing to learn!" I replied.
"You are full of nonsense, meiying." replied Jane and she walked away angrily.

After that confrontation, I did not talk to Jane anymore and we continue our individual life till now.   There are times where i recalled the conflict and thought of ideas that could changed the outcome of my relationship with Jane.

Hence, relating to what I had learnt in class about conflict management, I used the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, both of us displayed high level of competing and avoiding. We avoided solving this problem and Jane felt threatened with my action of trying to do my best.

What do you guys think, how do you think i should do in this kind of situation? Please do comment your opinion!

Commented on Daphne and Steven.

Updated on 9th April 2016

What is Emotional Intelligence

Team Members: Syai, Daphne and Syai.

On the webpage “What is Emotional Intelligence?” published by the University of New Hampshire, John D Mayer defined emotion as a feeling state whereas intelligence is the capacity to reason information. Mayer mentioned that the general definition of emotional intelligence is the capacity to reason about emotions, and of emotions to enhance thinking. However, the author defines emotional intelligence as an ability to recognize the meanings of emotion and their relationships, and to reason and problem-solve on the basis of the individual.. The author believes that emotional intelligence involves the capacity to perceive emotions, assimilate emotion-related feelings, understand the information of those emotions, and manage them accordingly.

Evaluating Verbal and Nonverbal Behavior

In my opinion, verbal and nonverbal behavior allow the receiver to indirectly/directly understand what you are trying to convey to the person. Verbal behaviors is to express yourself through word while Nonverbal behavior is to express through your body language, gesture and facial expression, in some cases, it could have been done subconscious by the individual. Many believe that they are able to interpret someone's thoughts or feelings by observing their tone of word and their body language. However, even experts can't interpret body language effectively.

For example would be unconscious habits. I have the tendency to look at my watch a lot. Most people would say that I send message that "I don't like being with this person" But, truthfully, I am a time-conscious person, so I have a weird habit of always checking my watch because I have a strong need to know what time it is. Therefore, body language is very ambiguous. I didn't even know I checked my watch all the time until someone pointed it out to me.

Another example would be that different cultures misunderstanding. In Korea, you bow to express appreciation and respect to the person, usually to someone of a higher position than you at work or someone who is older than you. It would be consider rude if you do not bow. Hence, It is important to study on the culture of the country if you were to visit the country or work in at any of the company.

One observation of a nonverbal interaction between this two stranger in a bus. It happened in a crowded train at around peak hour timing and I was standing. I notices a office lady sitting on the reserved seat and her eyes glued to her smart phone. When the train reaches the next station, an elderly lady walked in and no one was willing to give up the seat for her. There were people, who were seating down, notices her but pretended to not notice her. With minimal space in the train, the elderly woman stood in front of the reserved seat and glared at the office lady, who was sitting at the reserved seat.

After the next station, which is where I was to alight, the working lady looked up and noticed the elderly lady, her eyes looked at the elderly woman direction. She scanned left and right, notices that no one was willing to give up the seat. Without saying a word and with a expressionless face, the office lady let out a heavy sigh and stood out of her seat. The elderly lady glared at the office lady and sat at the reserved seat.

As a third party, I think this nonverbal interaction could have ended quite badly if there were words exchange between the elderly and office lady. Maybe, majority of you think that the office lady was being arrogant. However, I do think that she could have her reasons for her attitude. She could have a bad day at work which led to her attitude, or she could be not feeling well and needed to rest and other possible reasons. Eventually, she did gave up her seat to the elderly lady while others passengers didn't in a crowded train.

Edited 10/2/2016, 8pm.

Commented on:
Angela -> 7Cs
Kok Zheng

Strengths And Challenges Of Communication

"A good relationship starts with a good communication"

Communication is a way to interact and transfer information from one place to another, verbally and non-verbally. Verbal Communication is communicating with the use of words and sound to the individual, directly or indirectly. For example, face-to-face communication and television advertisement. Non-Verbal Communication is communicating with gesture and body posture, which are displayed through body language or movement between the communicators.

My strength in Communication is that I can express myself confidently at times. One example is that when I have the knowledge and experience on a particular subject. As I have been learnt Additional mathematics during my secondary and Polytechnic life, I am experienced enough to be able to teach my classmates confidently. Another example is when I plan or practice what I want to say before a discussion or presentation. The old phrase, “Practice made perfect.” works for me. Continuously planning or practicing a presentation helps to build my confidence, in order to express myself confidently.

My challenges in communication is that I can be quite straightforward with my words. Even though, I do occasionally think that being straightforward is good. There are times that I do tend to offend people with my words, without noticing, and I do get trouble with it. I believe that, with the help of this module, I would present myself better. Another weakness in communication that I had is that I tend to get nervous in presentation as well. Even though, sometimes, I did prepare myself before presentation. I tend to let my nervousness take control of me and lost my pace of speaking to the audiences. 

Hence, I hope that through Interpersonal and Work Communication that I can further improve my presentation skills, express and understand myself better.

Edited: 3^rd February 2015

Commended on: Steven, Marcus and  Daphne