Assignment 1 Assignment Regulation: • Citing of references is also necessary in APA style. o Your answers MUST include at least 1 outside references (other than the slides and textbook) o Using references from SDL will be highly valued. Assignment Structure: A.No Assignment-1 Type Critical Thinking Writing Exercise Total Marks 5 5 10 Learning Outcomes: • Articulate what communication is and how it functions in organizations. • Identify which message is appropriate for a specific audience, and successfully complete the message. • Identify the importance of giving details while writing a message taking into consideration the three decisions points when writing (Tone, word selection and length) Critical Thinking 1. Good communication skills are essential skills for both our daily and professional lives. In your point of view, what are the characteristics of a good communicator that managers looking for? and what values can businesses receive from hiring people with good communication skills? (Marks: 2.5) 2. Evaluate your communication skills, sort out your strengths and weaknesses. Describe one of your weaknesses, how it prevents you from being a good communicator? How do you plan to work on that weakness before you look for a job? (Marks: 2.5) Writing Exercise 3. Write a sample Letter/ Message taking into your consideration the following points: (Marks:5) a) The purpose of your writing. b) The audience c) The structure of your writing (outline) d) The clarity of your writing (details and example) e) The three important writing decisions (tone/ word selection/ length)
 

Communication Management

            Effective communication ability is essential for our daily interaction with people around us and for organizational leadership. An organizational leader is an individual who inspires others through positive inputs for the growth and sustainability of any institution. Leaders are a vital tool for effective communication in an organization. Effective communication for organizational leaders helps build trust with the followers and align them to the organizational goals and vision (Anggorowati, Komariah & Permana, 2020). Lack of adequate communication in an organization leads to inefficiencies in the day-to-day processes, which hinders the progression of the organizational goals.

Characteristics of a Good Communicator

            A good communicator should maintain a consistent communication style that is clear to the organizational employees. A good communicator should interact well with the employees and note how they are perceived in the organization. Authoritative leaders can set a clear vision that is essential for achieving organizational goals. A good communicator should know when to speak and when to listen to others. Ask the opinions, feedback, and ideas of the people you address and ensure that you engage them in the communication process.

            A good leader should be transparent and open to communicate the challenges, opportunities and set goals for organizational sustainability. The leader should be keen to communicate what is required from every individual in the organization. A good communicator should emphasize being clear and specific to the message they are putting across. The leader should clearly describe the organization's strategic initiatives and remain firm in achieving them. Avoid confusing phrases to ensure that the employees are aware of what is required from every individual (Meng, 2015).

Open-ended questions help to get the opinions and feelings of the people being addressed. Open-ended questions will help uncover the employee's thoughts, goals, and motivation towards the organization's success. A good communicator should show empathy to the followers so that they can feel recognized and valued as organizational stakeholders (Meng, 2015). A good communicator should utilize non-verbal cues that are essential for emphasizing what is being communicated.

My Weakness

            I find it hard to remain focused and composed when addressing large gatherings. I am forced to pause and keep repeating words while addressing others, leading to unclear and confusing information. I need to practice and gain courage when addressing other people. Practice and frequent public address will enhance my communication skills. I will start with small peer discussions and gradually move to large crowds to enhance my confidence.

Memo

To:      All Departmental Heads

From: The Head of the Human Resource Management

Date:   21^st June 2021

Subject: QUARTERLY APPRAISAL

Notice is hereby brought forth to remind all the departmental heads that they should submit their quarterly appraisal documents to the head of the human resource management in line with the organizational management strategy and protocols. The documents will help the department take the necessary measures to mitigate the various issues arising from the Appraisal for the well-being and the sustainability of the organization. The information present will be used to evaluate our heads for promotion and other human resource rewards.

Communication Skills

            Communication is the ability to effectively pass useful information from a specified source to a targeted audience. Communication is essential in our day-to-day interactions with other people and the surrounding environment. Communication skills enable the transmission of useful information that is essential for individual and organizational well-being (Salagre & Supe, 2020). Contemporary organizational leaders should be able to communicate effectively with their followers for smooth implementation and running of the organization's day-to-day activities.

Leaders should create an enabling environment for organizational employees through effective communication to achieve organizational goals. Leaders are an essential tool to facilitate effective communication for organizational growth and sustainability.  Organizational growth and progression are coined to effective communication between the various management levels and the employees (Salagre & Supe, 2020). Effective communication enhances trust and mutual coexistence between the leadership team and the employees.

Qualities of a Good Communicator

An efficient communicator should be transparent and open in communicating organizational challenges and opportunities, as well as setting goals for organizational sustainability. The leader must be willing to communicate what is expected of each individual in the organization. A good communicator should emphasize clarity and specificity to the message they are conveying. The leader must clearly describe the organization's strategic initiatives and remain committed to seeing them through (Gumbri, Shahid & Othman, 2015). Avoid using ambiguous phrases to ensure that all employees understand what is expected of them.

            An effective organizational leader should maintain a consistent communication style that is understood by all employees. A good communicator should interact with employees and pay attention to how they are perceived within the organization. Authoritarian leaders can establish a clear vision, which is necessary for achieving organizational goals (Salagre & Supe, 2020). A good communicator understands when to speak and when to listen. Involve the people you address in the communication process by soliciting their opinions, feedback, and ideas.

My strengths

            I can engage my audience when communicating to ensure that the right information is delivered efficiently. Engaging the listeners helps to learn their moods and feelings about the subject being addressed. I can utilize open-ended questions, which helps the employees to open up and give their thoughts, expectations, and motivations towards the organizational day-to-day activities.

My Weakness

            I am quick to get upset when I find nagging listeners as a result of not being attentive to what is being communicated. I easily lose composure when I get interrupted in my communication, especially when addressing large gatherings and executive functions. It is challenging to address older and more experienced people at the workplace in fear of giving contradicting information from what they believe or expect. I should keep practicing and attending regular executive meetings to gain courage when addressing senior people.

Writing Exercise

To:      Head of Departments

From: Dean Academic Affairs Office

Date: 27^th June 2021

Subject: SUBMISSION OF STUDENTS RESULTS FOR FIRST SEMESTER 2021

All the head departments should collaborate with the concerned examination officers in all the faculties to process and submit dulled analyzed exam results for the semester ending April 2021 by the 2^nd Day of July 2021. This is in line with the examination regulations and guidelines stipulated in the University’s Code of Conduct. The results will aid in processing the final results for students graduating in September 2021. Your quick and timely response will be highly regarded.