Living in a society where interpersonal communication drives us, bonds can be form while relationships can be destroy just through words alone.
Using the Gibbs model of reflection, the scenario occurred due to the aspect of communication breakdown. This began from a text message from my part time job supervisor where he texted me to report to work 30 minutes earlier than the stipulated schedule just one day before. However, I had prior appointment and am unable to do so. Hence I replied him that I was unable to do so and would report in as scheduled. He chose not to reply my notification but instead told me about job responsibility and what i signed on the contract. This was frustrating as instead of answering my question, he began talking about morale and agreement which was totally irrelevant.
Using the Gibbs model of reflection, the scenario occurred due to the aspect of communication breakdown. This began from a text message from my part time job supervisor where he texted me to report to work 30 minutes earlier than the stipulated schedule just one day before. However, I had prior appointment and am unable to do so. Hence I replied him that I was unable to do so and would report in as scheduled. He chose not to reply my notification but instead told me about job responsibility and what i signed on the contract. This was frustrating as instead of answering my question, he began talking about morale and agreement which was totally irrelevant.
Evaluating the situation, it was an obvious communication breakdown whereby no parties were willing to take a step back and meet at a mutual understanding. Hence a dispute broke out making the situation even more complicated than it should be. Analyzing the incident, communication should always be two way and meet at an mutual understanding and not insisting on your own way just because you are off a higher position.
I understood the fact that should both parties opened a listening ear on the reasons behind the change, the situation would not have escalated resulting in unhappiness. Additionally, having lost sight of the initial goal of working in harmony, these factor led to a one way communication which was ineffective and could be avoided from the start.
I understood the fact that should both parties opened a listening ear on the reasons behind the change, the situation would not have escalated resulting in unhappiness. Additionally, having lost sight of the initial goal of working in harmony, these factor led to a one way communication which was ineffective and could be avoided from the start.
Hi Galen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us about the communication problem you had faced.
From what I read, it seems to me that the reason for this breakdown in communication was due to the lack of awareness of the importance of effective communication. The foundation of effective communication is supportive communication, which was absent between you and your supervisor. From the start, i feel that your supervisor should phrase his request in a way that enable two-way communication rather than one-way message. The statement your supervisor used may be interpreted as absolute with no room for negotiation or alternative. As mentioned during class, communication that is superiority oriented and extreme tends to arouse negative feelings, hence resulting in the listener becoming defensive.
I agreed with you that communication should be two-way where others are given “air time” to express their opinion. Communication between both parties should also be courteous and respectful regardless of the hierarchical relationship to prevent bad feeling.