Returning to my first post, I felt that effective communication is essential and that written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills are important to me. Through these 12 weeks, I still believe that these aspects of communication are crucial. However I found that there are also other areas that I cannot over look.
The part on writing good/bad news messages left a rather deep impression on me. I realised that writing a bad news message is definitely not an easy task. One needs to take into account the feelings of the other party while delivering the message across in order to minimise the impact of the negative news.
The other part of the module that I found useful is the research project. Prior to this course, I have not done any projects that require survey analysis. During the last few weeks, I have learnt to formulate survey questions and draw conclusions from the data gathered. During the project, as each person will have his/her own viewpoints, it allowed me to recognise the importance “give and take” or compromise so that a reasonable decision can be made.
I also believe I benefited a lot from the job search sessions. I had never written a job application letter before and had no idea of its importance. But now, I realise that our resume and job application letter are the two most important things which more or less decides whether or not we will be granted an interview for the job we seek. In addition, the mock interviews gave me a idea of the questions I can expect during an interview, which I feel will better prepare me for future interviews when I graduate.
To conclude, I do not regret taking this course. It has definitely made me more aware of the various area of communication which is important in life.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Post #7 - Final Reflection
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Post #6 - Biodata
I am currently a third year undergraduate in the National University of Singapore (NUS). I have previously graduated from CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School (SNGS) and National Junior College (NJC).
My academic interest is chemistry, particularly organic and inorganic chemistry. I aspire to contribute to the field of medicinal chemistry, either through discovering new or improving existing drugs or regulating the drugs used in Singapore.
During my studies in NUS, I was given the opportunity to go for a summer exchange program to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, I learnt to be more independent, out-spoken and gained more in terms of cultural awareness by interacting with the locals and fellow exchange students. I also did an attachment during the holidays at the end of my second year where I learnt more about research and the chemical industry.
Having joined the Interact Club in SNGS, I found volunteering and helping others fulfilling and meaningful. So I carried on with this extra-curricular activity in NJC. Such voluntary work has taught me to be more patient, encouraging and understanding towards others.
I enjoy sports like table-tennis and was part of the table-tennis team in SNGS. The long and frequent training schedules have allowed me to manage my time well by balancing training with studies. Also in my free time, I like jogging, reading and playing the piano.
My academic interest is chemistry, particularly organic and inorganic chemistry. I aspire to contribute to the field of medicinal chemistry, either through discovering new or improving existing drugs or regulating the drugs used in Singapore.
During my studies in NUS, I was given the opportunity to go for a summer exchange program to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, I learnt to be more independent, out-spoken and gained more in terms of cultural awareness by interacting with the locals and fellow exchange students. I also did an attachment during the holidays at the end of my second year where I learnt more about research and the chemical industry.
Having joined the Interact Club in SNGS, I found volunteering and helping others fulfilling and meaningful. So I carried on with this extra-curricular activity in NJC. Such voluntary work has taught me to be more patient, encouraging and understanding towards others.
I enjoy sports like table-tennis and was part of the table-tennis team in SNGS. The long and frequent training schedules have allowed me to manage my time well by balancing training with studies. Also in my free time, I like jogging, reading and playing the piano.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Post #5 - Inter-generation Communication
It is common to find different generations living together. Though this may seem good, no doubt clashes due to miscommunication and conflicts over different thinking is likely to occur.
For example, the older generation (grandparents) are not English educated so they are unable to converse in or comprehend English when English has become the common language amongst young people these days. Instead they are more comfortable with dialect that the younger generation is less familiar with. Hence there have been reports about the elderly feeling left out due to the lack of communication between generations.
In addition, there are also conflicts between the older and younger generation’s perception of things. On one hand, my grandmother tends to favor the boys over girls, my parents, on the other hand do not have such favoritism. There have been a few occasions where my parents told my grandmother off for showing favoritism. My grandmother despite being told off a couple of times still thinks she has not done anything wrong. Resulting in unhappiness among both parties.
I feel that for different generations to live together harmoniously, everyone should try to understand the reason behind the other party’s behavior. However I feel that the younger generation should play a bigger role in trying to adapt to the elderly to reduce communication problems and conflicts.
What do you think of conflicts between generations? What else can be done to reduce communication problems or conflicts between generations?
For example, the older generation (grandparents) are not English educated so they are unable to converse in or comprehend English when English has become the common language amongst young people these days. Instead they are more comfortable with dialect that the younger generation is less familiar with. Hence there have been reports about the elderly feeling left out due to the lack of communication between generations.
In addition, there are also conflicts between the older and younger generation’s perception of things. On one hand, my grandmother tends to favor the boys over girls, my parents, on the other hand do not have such favoritism. There have been a few occasions where my parents told my grandmother off for showing favoritism. My grandmother despite being told off a couple of times still thinks she has not done anything wrong. Resulting in unhappiness among both parties.
I feel that for different generations to live together harmoniously, everyone should try to understand the reason behind the other party’s behavior. However I feel that the younger generation should play a bigger role in trying to adapt to the elderly to reduce communication problems and conflicts.
What do you think of conflicts between generations? What else can be done to reduce communication problems or conflicts between generations?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Post #4 - Evaluating Intercultural Behavior
During my trip to Japan last year, as our flight landed earlier than scheduled, we arrived at the hotel about 45 minutes before the standard check-in time. We thought we would be able to check-in earlier so that we can leave our luggage and valuables in our rooms before going out for lunch. However, they refused to allow us to check-in earlier despite the fact that our rooms were ready. The service staff mentioned that check-ins can only be done after the stipulated time and not anytime earlier than that, not even a few minutes before that.
In another similar situation in Japan, we had a dinner reservations at a restaurant at 7 pm. However due to the smooth traffic, we were 20 minutes early. Although our table was available and the restaurant was already opened for dinner, the manager told us to wait and only led us to our table when it was 7pm. This is unlike my experience in Singapore, where being slightly early, we were still be seated. Or even if we were slightly late, the staff still held our tables for awhile.
From these two incidences, I felt that the Japanese follow rules and schedules very strictly. Sometimes, it may seem that they lack flexibility. On the other hand, it is probably good because it means that they will try their best to be punctual for meetings.
In another similar situation in Japan, we had a dinner reservations at a restaurant at 7 pm. However due to the smooth traffic, we were 20 minutes early. Although our table was available and the restaurant was already opened for dinner, the manager told us to wait and only led us to our table when it was 7pm. This is unlike my experience in Singapore, where being slightly early, we were still be seated. Or even if we were slightly late, the staff still held our tables for awhile.
From these two incidences, I felt that the Japanese follow rules and schedules very strictly. Sometimes, it may seem that they lack flexibility. On the other hand, it is probably good because it means that they will try their best to be punctual for meetings.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Post #3 - Business Correspondence Critique
The positive points are as follows: Use of proper formatting. Components such as the letterhead, date, recipient’s name and address, salutation, signature, sender’s name and designation have been included in the letter. Moreover the letter is clear, concise, coherent and complete with the main idea being brought across clealy. Last, the letter is short and not too wordy.
The negative points include improper salutation. It should be written as ‘Dear Mr. Madzel’ instead of ‘Dear Rich’. It also lack a subject line. It would sound more formal if ‘Yours sincerely’ is used instead of ‘Goodluck’. Finally the tone of the letter is quite informal because of phrases like ‘kept our nerves under control’.
Ways to improve the letter are as such: The second paragraph could be re-written as: We faced numerous uncertainties when we decided to sell our business. Your guidance has really helped us along the way. In addition the third paragraph could be re-written as: The number of potential buyers who turned up was higher than expected. We are impressed that you delivered more than you promised. The planning and preparation you brought us through certainly did not go to waste. The last sentence could be re-written as: We sincerely appreciate your enthusiasm in helping us sell our business.
The negative points include improper salutation. It should be written as ‘Dear Mr. Madzel’ instead of ‘Dear Rich’. It also lack a subject line. It would sound more formal if ‘Yours sincerely’ is used instead of ‘Goodluck’. Finally the tone of the letter is quite informal because of phrases like ‘kept our nerves under control’.
Ways to improve the letter are as such: The second paragraph could be re-written as: We faced numerous uncertainties when we decided to sell our business. Your guidance has really helped us along the way. In addition the third paragraph could be re-written as: The number of potential buyers who turned up was higher than expected. We are impressed that you delivered more than you promised. The planning and preparation you brought us through certainly did not go to waste. The last sentence could be re-written as: We sincerely appreciate your enthusiasm in helping us sell our business.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Post #2 - Resolving Interpersonal Conflict
For one of the vacation jobs I had, I was assigned to be stationed at a community centre to assist the public in filling out of application forms to apply for a scheme. Besides filling in the application forms manually, it can also be done online via the e-service which was not available at the community centre I was at.
A woman wanted to help her friend apply for the scheme via the e-service and asked me for the procedures of how to go about doing it. I told her that the e-service option was not offered at that community centre. Since it was not offered, my supervisor did not brief me on it, so I was not familiar with the system. As a result, I advised her to contact another community centre instead.
Immediately after that, she phoned her friend in front of me and she told her friend that I was not doing my job because I could not provide her with the details she needed. I felt wronged because although what she asked for was not within my job scope, I still helped her by directing her to the appropriate channel. That was what I told her. After which, she told me very rudely to “shut up” and that “customers are always right”. I was surprised with her response because she appeared highly educated. I was very angry at that moment and an argument started.
I believe the argument evolved because she did not like that I corrected her. Yet, I feel that I was right to stand up for myself when I am being wronged. Should I have kept quiet in the first place in order to avoid this conflict? Or is the woman being unreasonable?
A woman wanted to help her friend apply for the scheme via the e-service and asked me for the procedures of how to go about doing it. I told her that the e-service option was not offered at that community centre. Since it was not offered, my supervisor did not brief me on it, so I was not familiar with the system. As a result, I advised her to contact another community centre instead.
Immediately after that, she phoned her friend in front of me and she told her friend that I was not doing my job because I could not provide her with the details she needed. I felt wronged because although what she asked for was not within my job scope, I still helped her by directing her to the appropriate channel. That was what I told her. After which, she told me very rudely to “shut up” and that “customers are always right”. I was surprised with her response because she appeared highly educated. I was very angry at that moment and an argument started.
I believe the argument evolved because she did not like that I corrected her. Yet, I feel that I was right to stand up for myself when I am being wronged. Should I have kept quiet in the first place in order to avoid this conflict? Or is the woman being unreasonable?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Post #1 - Effective Communication Skills
Communication is an integral part of life that no one can escape from. Despite communicating everyday, we still cannot grasp the correct method of communication. Having brilliant ideas but not being able to relate them well to others is a waste. Not practicing effective communication can result in misunderstandings and create unnecessary problems be it in the workplace or in our relationships with family and friends.
Especially for me, the written communication such as report writing is rather important. As a chemistry major, I spend a fair bit of my time in the lab performing experiments and expressing my results in a report. Without the skills to write a good report, the data collected in the lab will be of little use.
Besides the written communication, verbal communication is also of high importance. During an interview or when meeting someone new, the interviewer or the other party will start forming impressions of and judging you based on the way you speak. Not expressing oneself well through speaking will certainly put one at a disadvantage. In addition, as part of verbal communication, one must also consider the feeling’s of others when talking to avoid causing hurt and trouble.
Non-verbal communication cannot be neglected. Very often, a person’s tone of voice and body language says a lot on how that person is feeling or what is on that person’s mind. Being able to recognize non-verbal cues can reduce the chance of conflicts happening.
Having recognized that there are so many aspects of communication, I believe it will take time and effort to master the skills in order to improve my interpersonal relationships and to prepare for the workplace next time.
Especially for me, the written communication such as report writing is rather important. As a chemistry major, I spend a fair bit of my time in the lab performing experiments and expressing my results in a report. Without the skills to write a good report, the data collected in the lab will be of little use.
Besides the written communication, verbal communication is also of high importance. During an interview or when meeting someone new, the interviewer or the other party will start forming impressions of and judging you based on the way you speak. Not expressing oneself well through speaking will certainly put one at a disadvantage. In addition, as part of verbal communication, one must also consider the feeling’s of others when talking to avoid causing hurt and trouble.
Non-verbal communication cannot be neglected. Very often, a person’s tone of voice and body language says a lot on how that person is feeling or what is on that person’s mind. Being able to recognize non-verbal cues can reduce the chance of conflicts happening.
Having recognized that there are so many aspects of communication, I believe it will take time and effort to master the skills in order to improve my interpersonal relationships and to prepare for the workplace next time.
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