Communication is a tricky task. Sometimes, we can focus so much on our message that we do not consider how we are going to deliver it. The mode of delivery is just as important as the words themselves. In an activity for a grad school class, EDUC 6145, we students were tasked with viewing a multimedia presentation and analyzing the communication modalities and how they affect the delivered message.
The email comes off as attempting to be professionally cordial but leaning towards curt. Phrases like "Because your..." are connected to the potential inability of Jane being unable to complete her task, it infers that Jane is blaming Mark for her problems. Wrapping up with wording such as "...or even if (italics for emphasis)..." drives home through the connotation of her words that she is not happy and Mark is to blame.
The voicemail allows for a deeper level of communication than just the text of an email message could accomplish on its own. While the email seems as if it the tone could be construed as condescending, the email seems more colleagial in its purpose. In this instance, Jane's vocal inflections reveal the deeper message that she is concerned about getting her own job done and that there is a hope that Mark could help. The word choice is the same, but vocal tone makes the difference.
In the face-to-face message, Jane seems downright friendly in the way that she expresses her desire to get her own job done. And while the email example could seem like Mark totally is to blame, the face-to-face interaction makes it seem that Jane is not blaming Mark, but hoping that he can help her out. Her voice is softer, her body language and facial expressions do not come off as accusatory, and Jane comes off as looking for a favor.
As a member of a project team, communication is a vital piece of the task. The entire team needs to be on board with the project and the members should feel like they trust each other. Email is an okay communication tool for simple messages. A message that is too complex runs the risk of carrying misleading wording; in the last example, Jane is not blaming Mark, but her email indicates that she could be. To keep a team united in a project process, all members should strive to use interpersonal communication that relies on more than just words to accomplish the task.
Reference
Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.) The art of effective communication [Multimedia object]. Retrieved from http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6145/03/mm/aoc/index.html.
Yes communication is a vital piece of the task when on a project team. Everyone needs to be involved, on board, and understand the project. I agree that email is a great communication tool but, like you said, for simple messages and that could not be misinterpreted easily. Technology is becoming used so often that we forget that the best modes of communication are face to face because there is less left to be interpreted by others. A team needs to have good communciation skills in order to be successful.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you that the fast to fast communication showed that she needed Marks help in completing the the report so that she wont miss the deadline. In communication it is important to be aware of others task so that you know who can provide you with the most help. Jane biggest problem was that she was only focused on her own task and lost sight of what Mark was doing for the day.
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