Assignments on Interpersonal Communication

Communication Skill

How communication works

Multiple Choice (3)

1.                  A conversation between two people is called a

a.       Blend

b.      Dyad 

c.       Union

d.      Pairing

2.                  Most organizational communication exists between

a.       project/programme purposees

b.      Unions

c.       Individuals

d.      All of the above

3.                  Conflict occurs when two parties feel that

a.       They don’t understand one another

b.      Each cannot achieve its goals or desires if the other does

c.       One tries to force to do something the other doesn’t want to do

d.      They do not talk about the conflict

2.                  Messages can be understood

a.       Only one way

b.      In different ways

c.       Only be the receiver

d.      When there is no conflict

3.                  One of the best way to improve communication is to

a.       Increase nonverbal cues

b.      Decrease nonverbal cues

c.       Use feedback 

d.      Avoid conflict

4.                  In a organization, communication should move in what direction?

a.       Upward

b.      Downward

c.       Horizontally

d.      All of the above

5.                  Which of the following requires a clear and open exchange of information.

a.       Orating

b.      Persuasion 

c.       Manipulation 

d.      Evaluating

6.                  Motivation requires

a.      Knowing what the other person wants

b.      Compliments of another’s work

c.       Raises

d.      Bonuses

7.                  On the job, motivation may be tied to

a.       Pay

b.      Work recognition

c.       Responsibility

d.      All of the above

8.                  Managing conflict requires

a.       Analytical skills 

b.      Behavioral skills

c.       Skills in relating to people

d.      All of the above

9.                  Before managing conflict, a person must

a.       Know what it is about 

b.      What is at stake

c.       What it could lead to

d.      All of the above

10.              There are how many stages of turning a group into a team?

a.       One

b.      Two

c.       Three

d.      Four

 

 


Summary

            The better the people in a organization communicate, the better able they are to perform and work together toward a common goal.

The organization with the most effective communicators, and the best-developed systems for both internal and external communication, has the best chance of surviving and thriving in the marketplace because it is the one best able to learn what the market wants, and what it has to do in order to deliver it.

Regardless of the size of an organization, communication is between individuals. Teams, departments, divisions, and all other organizational categories are comprised of individuals.

Even when you are just one of many people receiving the same message, your ability to understand it—and provide whatever response or feedback is necessary—directly affects how you work and impacts on your ability to perform. It also affects your ability to develop and advance within the organizational structure.

Effective interpersonal—one-to-one—communication skills and systems are the keys to having a productive organizational communication climate and avoiding communication problems, as well as to developing and improving the management skills needed for persuasion, inspiration, conflict management, and team building.

There is no single department or section in any organization—from maintenance to research and development, from production to human resources—that does not need people with good interpersonal communication skills in order to operate effectively both today—and tomorrow.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 


Test

1. ______        The ability to relate to other people is a sign of a good communicator.

2. ______        One of the best ways to improve message reception is to reduce the number of messages sent.

3. ______        Communication should only move down the hierarchy to be effective.

4. ______        Conflict occurs when two parties feel that each cannot achieve its goals or desires if the other does.

5. ______        Motivation of employees can only be accomplished through wages.

6. ______        Managing conflict requires both analytical and behavioral skills.

7. ______        Effective organizational communication occurs when people feel they are free to speak to those they need to communicate with.

8. ______        By considering all the ways a message could be interpreted, you eliminate poor communication.

9. ______        organizations can communicate.

10.______       A dyad is having a conversation with yourself.

 

Answers:

1.         T

2.         T

3.         F – It should move up, down, and sideways.

4.         T

5.         F – It can be recognition, skill, teamwork, supervision, ect.

6.         T

7.         T

8.         T

9.         F – the individuals inside them communicate

10.       F – two people

Bibliography

 

Bechler, C. & Johnson, S. (February, 1995). Leadership and listening: A study of members; perceptions. Small Group Research, 26, 77-85.

Carrocci, N.M. (1985). Perceiving and responding to interpersonal conflict. Central States Speech Journal, 36, 215-228.

Watson, K. (1996). Listener preferences: The paradox of small-group interactions. Small group Communication: Theory and Practice (7th ed.). Madison, WI: Brown & Benchmark.


Glossary

 

Dyad - is the communication between two people, which can be as brief as a casual encounter or as long as a partnership.

 

Poor communication - This can happen when people do not know what is expected of them, when and why.

 

Communication - is a two-way process that is achieved when the person you are communicating with actually understands the message that you are sending.

 

Persuasion - is selling an idea to someone and requires a clear and open exchange of information.

 


Learning Objectives

 

·        Effective interpersonal communication is the key to a productive organizational communication climate and avoiding communication problems.

·        Effective interpersonal communication can develop and improve management skills needed for persuasion, inspiration, conflict management and team building.

 

 


Q&A

 

1.          How can a group be turned into a team?

A group must first get to know one another (forming) and as they do they will begin to form bonds (conforming).  As people get to know one another differences will develop causing conflict (storming), however if leadership is established and common goals are committed to then the group will begin working like a team (performing).

 

2.       What inorganizationals a positive communication climate?

Effective organizational communication climate exists in climates where the people feel they have access to communicate with anyone they need too.  Therefore, communication must move in all directions.

 

3.      What does it take to persuade someone?

Persuasion can only take place if there is a clear and open exchange of information, but first, you must have an understanding of what it is the other person wants.

 

 

End of Module