Hi Sarah, great observations. What specifically would you like to improve?
Dr. Jean Norris
I think I have the methods of communication developed I would just like to improve on my face to face.
Whitney, thanks for sharing your plan. Your insight and awareness is the first step. Keep us posted with your results from your plan.
Dr. Jean Norris
Janet, great! Thanks for sharing. So, now that you know this, what is your plan to increase your effectiveness in written communication?
Dr. Jean Norris
I am going to work on developing my e-mailing skills. I have a tendency to be matter-of-fact, delivering information without conferring any emotion. This can come across as cold and even unkind. I really want my recipient to feel like they have just chatted with me on the phone, or heard a pleasant tone of voice on the machine. I'm going to work on not using large words when a small one will do, and keeping my tone light-hearted.
I am very task oriented and therefore, have to be intentional in my written communication to include this. I have a tendency to fire off answers or instructions without including "nicities". This is something I continue to work on, especially when rushed or stressed.
Face to face. In a face to face communication, there are many possible distractions that have to be managed to communicate effectively. The effect of body language on communication is so strong, that one has to pay attention to it, while at the same time thinking about what I am trying to communicate. One has to think about the message being sent out be body language, and also the message being sent with words. I believe its the most difficult method to master.
Good Morning Dr. Norris,
It is my goal to work on telephone communication. Module 1 helped me realize I usually pick up the phone without being prepared or aware of why I'm calling a person. I know there is something I want to tell the student, but I am sometimes distracted. I will use the technique of having a list in front of me to help the flow of conversation while I'm on the phone. In addition, it would be good for me to practice this so that I can improve.
The communication method I will work to develop is written. I can be very expressive when I am talking to some one but I don't really have to opportunity to convey that in written text. Most times when I try to convey that I end up rambling on and can easily get off topic. I need to work on being myself and let my personality come through while still be professional and informative.
The method of communication I will work on to develop is writing of emails. It is such an easier way to check off the list of things to do and it also provides a quicker way to communicate with such limited time constraints. I know and have learned the hard way that easier does not mean better. Emails do not provide the most effective way to get messages across since it can be interpret many different ways.
I want to improve my written communication. During these times most people communicate via email and it is important that students understand all the information that I present to them. I want to make sure my sentence structure is complete and all words are used correctly so the message is clear.
Scott, interesting. Honesty and being up front with people has to do with the level of rapport that is built. What are some ways that you could continue to build rapport with the prospective student?
Dr. Jean Norris
I would have to say that when I am talking on the phone, it is hard to know iif the potential student is being honest and up front with me. I feel at times that they just tell me what I want to hear in regrads to the student comming in. So I feel that I have to probe and ask more questions to find out to see what the real objective may be to prevent any no shows or to limt the no shows.
Being aware of other peoples agenda when communicating is as important as knowing your audience when you go into a room to speak. Even more so in the age of email as others can easily imply things in their words as well as from your responses. I found the idea of guard rails interesting as it relates to meeting with students. I tend to spend time getting to know someone first and sometimes later I will see that I forgot one piece of info I should have given them or one step in the process that will then have to be done. By creating some guard rails and maybe even a written list depending on the type of interview; I think I can ensure a better experience for my students as it relates to getting through the process.
Heather, you make a great point here. Sounding more conversational takes practice and it sounds like you are willing to put in the effort to do this. I can't wait to hear about your success.
Dr. Jean Norris
Alex, it sounds like you have a great plan here to move forward. Yes, practice and improving listening will help improve the relationship and build rapport.
Dr. Jean Norris
Joseph,
You bring up a great point, face-to-face communication requires a conscious awareness and practice. How will you know if you're using the "right" body language and voice tone?
Dr. Jean Norris
Lynn, great plan. What specifically are you going to do to improve each type?
Dr. Jean Norris
Ben, great information here. It looks like you have a plan to remove those distractions so you can focus on really listening to the students. Let us know how that works for you.
Dr. Jean Norris
Jeff, thanks for sharing this. Written communication can be tricky that way. While it allows you to make sure you have made your point and the time to rephrase or re-write topics, it is also important to balance the time spent making those revisions. Let us know if you have found a good way to create that balance.
Dr. Jean Norris
