Thursday, October 23, 2008

My Interviewing Experience

I chose to interview my boyfriend's mother. While interviewing her we were both comfortable. We were both so comfortable that the interview seemed more like a conversation we would have. I enjoyed interviewing her because I learned more about her childhood. I enjoyed it because it enabled me to know her better as a person and a mother.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Praise

Our department hired a Secretary to help me and another employee. The new employee was reluctant in helping after beginning work. She was more into advising us as to what should be done instead of what she was asked to do. I started praising her for her helpful suggestions and asking her to make copies and deliver reports soon the advising subsided and now she does whatever she can to help us get our jobs done.

The 5C'S: A Model for Group Decision Making

The 5C'S:A Model for Group Decision Making: This model emphasizes the fact that life is full of major and small decisions. Though many of these decisions involve the individual and how decisions are made in this respect, this method of making individual decisions also affects others because we also tend to involve ourselves in group decisions in the similar way to that of which we make our own decisions as individuals. This model also emphasizes making choices/decisions based on viable past experiences, current individual/group needs/expectations, and thoughts/feelings about the future outcomes of these decisions. For the purposes of this model, these factors for group decision making are similar to those used for individual decision making. The guidelines for making these decisions are rather simple and straightforward, and emphasize our freedom of choice when faced with any life decision. This model really emphasizes ownership & accountability of all in the group in order for the decision to be fair and for the group and individual to achieve success, also relating to individual decision making.

Include link or reference to your Model!

I just want to remind everyone we're required to include a link to our chosen decision-making model! If the model you find is printed, include a reference to the publication!

Vroom-Jago

The Vroom-Jago Decision-Making Model makes sense to post here, since our last class included lessons on group communication and leadership. There are different methods of decision-making available to groups. This model is designed to simplify the process of deciding how the REAL decision is made and what roles the leader and group are to play. This could come in handy for decision-makers unable to decide on how to decide (hee hee).

http://www.decision-making-confidence.com/vroom-jago-decision-model.html

Definition of Communication

Communication is sending information vebally, nonverbally, or through signs or gestures to another person or group of people and in some cases receive feedback from one or more of them.

The Plus Decision Making Model

The Plus Decision Making Model considers everyone's opinion and checks it against the rules and regulations of the company. This way every person would feel valued and would not mind participating in the decision making process. Clicking on the highlighted wording will guide you through the six steps of "The Plus Decision Making Model" and give you knowledge of steps to follow when making group or individual decisions.

Perception of the Person I Interviewed

It was with great pleasure I completed this assignment. When I joined the church, I now attend, I was impressed with the guitar player. He is also the minister of music for the male chorus. He has a kind heart and it shows in his music and behavior as he directs the choir and leads praise and worship. When I interviewed him I saw that he was as genuine as he had lead me to believe. Usually, people change outside of the church environment, however, this man remained true to his personality and beliefs in every encounter I have had with him.

Through this act of communication I was able to develop a relationship with someone I have admired a long time. This assignment gave me opportunity to watch others nonverbal communications and see if what they said matches what they do. It also gave me opportunity to observe my own verbal and non-verbal communications. I realized I need to make changes to my nonverbal respones and reactions.

Decision Making Model

Kepner Tregoe

I decided on this decision model because it is one that takes you step by step. Sometimes when i am debating on a decision to make, i need to figure out what is really important and what are my wants, needs, and limits.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Rational Decision Making model

Rational Decison Making Model : I chose this model because this is the method often used in our meetings at work. It is not always effective as it does not encourage members of the group to think outside the box. It assumes that all the information has been considered as well as all the consequences. This is not always the case because sometimes people making decision do not have all of the necessary information needed to make a decision and they do not consider what impact the decision will have on all people involved. It seems that it is used to make a quick decision and the proper personnel is not always involved but are expected to follow the decision that was made. Had more people been consulted, maybe fewer problems would arise and there would be more minds at work to come up with possible problems with the solution suggested.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Intuitive Decison Making Model

Intuitive Decision-Making Model – I chose this model because when I make a decision, I usually make it base on my gut feeling. When I have anxiety about a particular choice, then I know that is the wrong choice, but when I feel a sense of peace about a particular choice, I then know that is the right decision for me. In this intuitive model, it gives a meditation exercise named “Visualization Exercise” to perform that will allow a person to see past just the pros and cons, and maybe see another path of direction that one may not have even considered. The exercise consists of finding a quiet peaceful place that which you are able to close your eyes and relax. You will then see two pathways. You will see yourself walking down one pathway and you will notice how your body and feelings are responding to this particular pathway. You will then go down the next pathway and notice your response as well. “Walk back again to the fork in the path. You suddenly see a third path that you had not been able to see before. You take the path and experience a solution you had not thought of before. What is it? What does it feel like”?
I feel as though this would be a great way for me to see beyond what is in front of me because usually I do not realize all of my options. I need to spend some quiet time to analyze my situation.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Praise

For two weeks I've been praising my girlfriend for all the little things she does for me. As a result, she has been more gung-ho to prepare meals and snacks, make tea, clean my house, care for my landscaping, and let me get away with minor screw-ups. Yay for praising!

Friday, October 3, 2008

My Response to the Interview Assignment

I gained a lot of insight into the feelings, ambitions, and attitudes of the person I interviewed. I was especially amazed at the level of self-confidence and humor that he had regarding his passion for art and the limitations of his visual disability. I felt that many people would find it difficult to maintain a sense of humor about their disability. Since this interview, I do not take tasks such as being able to drive for granted. I noticed his attitude more than his nonverbal gestures, however, his nonverbal actions did suggest to me that he was an outgoing person w/ a high degree of social ease, especially w/ regards to the fact that we did not know each other that well. He seemed to open up to very well and I was impressed at how much I better I came to know him as a person. I also liked how his confidence seemed to stem largely from not only his self-confidence and self-satisfaction with his skills, but also that which he gains from helping others to realize the artistic skills that they may not realize they have.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Response to Interview Assignment

From the experience of the interview assignment, it has introduced many new communication skills that "i thought i knew." I now understand the majority of the skills that the class has brought to my attintion and can express them into understanding. Even though the interview took some time for me, it was a great learning process. I feel that i was more involved with the imformation being taught than just remembering the reading. Also it gave me an opportunity to learn something new about someone else and make a friend.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

After the Interview Assignment

I've come away from this assignment with a greater awareness for the presence and interpretation of body language and for the importance of building relationships. I discovered a few new behaviors and feelings from a co-worker, which I wish to possess in my life. With the experience of this interview, I can pursue a closer relationship with this co-worker in hopes that his positive attitude and behaviors will rub off on me.

Since beginning this course, I have been learning to communicate better with my other half. After our lesson on nonverbal communication, I began paying more attention to hers. Slowly, I've been getting a better grasp on her meanings (not what she says, but what she wants me to understand). The interview assignment forced me to sit and pay closer attention to body language. The experience is one I can draw from when interpreting my girlfriend's nonverbal messages and sending her my own. Our relationship will grow closer as a result of the practices I have learned from this assignment. (It already has as she has recently mentioned, "Honey, you really are communicating with me better." Then there was "love language.")

Friday, September 26, 2008

Giving Praise

This week I made a conscious effort to give more praise to the people I work with. At my job we have people that handle patient insurance issues and anything that has to do with reimbursement of chemo drugs. I have to deal with them a lot and sometimes they aren't as helpful as they should be. I tried to be sure that when I requested something from them this week and I got what I needed, I would tell them what a great job I thought they were doing. They seem to be more willing to help when you make them feel like they are appreciated.

Interview Assignment

I have to say I was nervous about this assignment. At first I didn't know who to interview, but I finally decided on my boss. She was extremely open with me. I was a little surprised because some of my questions were pretty personal. She has told me that she is very proud of me for going back to school so I think that had something to do with her willingness to help me with this assignment. She and I both got more comfortable the more we talked and it ended up being more of a casual conversation. My paper is a little long. I had a hard time fitting all of it into just 2 pages and 500 words.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Interview Assignment

This assignment was a very fun experience. I really got to know a lot more about the person I interviewed. We shared some very intimate details about our life. We also had a lot of laughs. This assignment helped me to be more aware of non verbal communication. I think in the past I just listened to what people said and did not really acknowledge the body language that went along with the words. I could tell by my friend's body language, just how sensitive she felt about different issues. This assignment definitely helped me to be a better listener and see more than just what I hear. Since this interview, our friendship has reached a new level of closeness.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Kyle Stewart Communication

communication- the impating of interchange of thought, opinions or information by speech, writing, or signs.http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/communication

Monday, September 15, 2008

Communication is the exchange of information, thoughts, opinions by verbal and nonverbal means such as talking, writing or technology

First Blogging Assignment

Communication is a way for two or more participants to relay messages to each other.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

JC's Definition of Communication

Communication is the technical term given to the process of intentionally or unintentionally creating, transferring, receiving, and interpreting messages. This process involves the following:
  • the generation of a meaning by a source,
  • the encoding of that meaning into symbols,
  • transfer of those symbols to a recipient or destination,
  • receipt
  • interpretation of the symbols into meaning

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Definition of Communication

Communication is a multi-faceted process of exchanging understood information between two or more individuals through the use of words, symbols, or gestures. This type of exchange permeates all levels of life and occurs beyond an individual’s control. Communication involves several learned skills, namely listening, observing, and evaluating.

First Blogging Assignment: communication

Communication: the way people tranfer words, symbols, and expression to show thier thoughts to others.

Communication

Communication- The verbal and non-verbal cues relayed in an attempt to get a message across.

http://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=683

Monday, September 8, 2008

First Blogging Assignment

Communication is the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information.  Communication occurs by signals, writing, speech, or behavior.  A person gives to or receives from another person information about desires, perceptions, knowledge, or affective states.  Communications requires that all parties understand a common language that is exchanged.  The communication process is an attempt to create a shared understanding.  Communication may be intentional or unintentional.  Or emotions effect how we communicate with others.

Defining Communication

Communication is trying to send a message to one another through all types of methods; getting someones attention; sending a message accross clearly and comfortably.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Definition of Communication

Communication is the art and technique of using words effectively to impart information or ideas. Communication skills are learned so they can be changed.

Communication

Communication is defined as a process by which we assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create shared understanding. This process requires a vast repertoire of skills in intrapersonal and interpersonal processing, listening, observing, speaking, questioning, analyzing, and evaluating. Use of these processes is developmental and transfers to all areas of life: home, school, community, work, and beyond. It is through communication that collaboration and cooperation occur.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

First Blogging Assignment

Students are expected to post a definition of communication. The post should contain at least one link.