Individual Assignment 05

            The speaker I have chosen is Mr. Kip Soteres, CEO of Soteres Consulting. As a planner and implementer of communications, Mr. Soteres primarily spoke about communication and its characteristics. He defined communication as the process of transferring information from a sender to a receiver. It is also very important to remember that although the definition appear to be one-way communication, the best communication goes two ways. This is especially true in the work place. Mr. Soteres mentioned that employers look for team players and potential employees who will solve problems, be organized and communicate effectively. Specifically, good communicators are good listeners, empathetic, and good at processing information.

Within his speech, Mr. Soteres also explained the five characteristics of communication: raw data, the message, taking the audience into account, channeling the information, and yourself. Raw data describes the information, which then turns into a message. When considering how to present this information to the audience, Mr. Soteres explained that you must consider the audience. Are the younger or older than you? Is this a formal or informal meeting? Internal or external? With the information about your audience, you are then able to communicate your information in the best way possible. This could be an email, a conversation, or a presentation. And finally, you have to think about yourself and how effectively you are transferring information. Specifically, communication by relation is very effective. Even if the topic does not relate to you, you should make it relate to your audience in some way.

            Below is a link to Mr. Soteres’s LinkedIn page for more information about himself and his career.         

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kip-soteres/

            Mr. Soteres also discussed communication channels. Which refers to external versus internal and formal versus informal communication. These channels of communication are also discussed in Collins’s (2017) textbook. Collins (2017) defines internal communication as communication shared within all levels of a company. Alternatively, external communication happens between a company and outside parties. Internal and external communication channels can be combined with formal and informal communication networks. Formal networks are often used among company’s official lines of authority, such as in meetings. Informal networks, also referred to as grapevines, generally occur between employees while discussing the company and their jobs (Collins, 2017). Day-to-day conversation among desk mates, or conversation during lunch break could be considered informal communication. Communication channels relate to Mr. Soteres’s talk about the characteristics on communication. Deciding which channel to use depends on yourself and your audience. You must consider both factors when picking the most effective channel.

             I chose Murphy’s (2018) article because it relates to communication and psychology. Mr. Soteres discussed how to properly convey information to others. In his article, Murphy (2018) explains that complimenting and criticizing someone in the same sentence may be counterproductive. He explains in similarly to Pavlovian classical conditioning. When you give someone a compliment and then soon after criticize them, they will learn to associate each compliment with a counteractive criticism. Statistically, Murphy (2018) states that 63% of people prefer to be criticized only. That means that they don’t appreciate “sugar coating” a criticism or including positive feedback. People tend not to appreciate “sugar coated” criticism, but they do appreciate facts and data (Murphy, 2018). When trying to effectively communicate, it is important to consider the audience, as Mr. Soteres mentioned, and think about how they might prefer to hear certain information.

            Nevins (2018) article relates to Mr. Soteres’s speech by talking about communication as well. Specifically, Nevins (2018) gives strategies to effectively communicate with coworkers we may not like. Mr. Soteres explained what it takes to be a good communicator and Nevins (2018) article further explains how to be a good communicator at a time when it may feel a bit more difficult. The first step to communicating with someone you just don’t like is to recognize your feelings and reflect on why tension may be present. It is more likely than not that you are contributing to the issue as much as the other person. Not only must you consider your feelings, but also the other person’s feelings. Try to view the situation from their point of view. It is very unlikely that someone is trying to upset you. Once assessing the situation, Nevins (2018) recommends switching your thought process to become a critical thinker and to start asking questions about the situation. For example, thinking about what you can do to solve the issue or make the situation a little better is a great place to start. Although you may form a strong relationship with the person you do not like, you will become better colleagues and have better communication by taking these steps (Nevins, 2018).

References: 

Collins, K. (2017). Exploring Business. Boston, MA: FlatWorld

Murphy, M. (2018, December 9). Here’s why you should avoid giving someone a
          compliment and criticism in the same conversation. Forbes. Retrieved December 9,
          2018, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/markmurphy/2018/12/09/heres-why-you-
          should-avoid-giving-someone-a-compliment-and-criticism-in-the-same-
          conversation/#230b621f1b94

Nevins, M. (2018, December 4). How to collaborate with people you don’t like. Harvard 
          Business Review.  Retrieved December 7, 2018, from https://hbr.org/2018/12/how-
          to-collaborate-with-people-you-dont-like