College of Administrative and Financial Sciences
Assignment 1
Communications Management (MGT 421)
1.2 Communicate better, knowing that good communicators make better managers and that communication is a dynamic process basic to individuals and organizational life.
2.1 Perform all communication abilities, including thinking, writing, speaking, listening, and assessing the technology.
3.1 Analyze effective business letters, memorandums, and case studies.
Assignment Structure:
Assignment Question(s):
Part 1 (8 Marks)
Assess a Recent Difficult Conversation
Think about a recent difficult conversation you had. Ideally, select a conversation that occurred in the workplace or at school. Based on this conversation, do the following:
- Summarize the conversation in one paragraph. (2 Marks)
- Evaluate your and others’ performance in terms of assuming the best in one another, staying calm, finding common ground, disagreeing diplomatically, avoiding exaggeration and either/or approaches, and sharing all stories (including a shared story). (2 Marks)
- Describe three ways you would approach the conversation differently if you did it over again. (2 Marks)
- Assuming you had the conversation again, what are three questions you would ask to invite a learning stance? (2 Marks)
| SUBJECT: Make Sure Jim is Doing Well Emotionally; Please Send Me Files about Personnel Policies
Hi, I just talked to Jim by phone. He’s having a real rough time fitting in with his new team. I think part of the problem is he’s going through a divorce right now, so let’s make sure we really take care of him during the next few weeks. He’s been a loyal employee for so many years that we owe it to him to support him in this time of need. One of Jim’s strengths is he’s a very sensitive, emotional person. With all that’s going on his life right now, this emotional side of his is really draining and even dysfunctional for him. So, please talk to several members of his team and make sure they’re supportive. Also, I can’t seem to find some of files that I sent you last month. Part of the problem is I’m traveling right now with just my laptop and I’m a bit less organized than usual. Can you send me all the files I’ve sent about new personnel policies? Thanks a lot. Also, I’ve been thinking a lot about new ways of reorganizing our teams so that we’re getting the most value added based on employee strengths and complementarities. We seem to set up our teams so much based on individual performance evaluations but rarely if ever contemplate the appropriate mix of personalities and complementary skill sets to really foster innovation in a way that drives value for the company. In the next month, I will outline new principles and guidelines for team assignments that we will gradually implement over a six to ten month time period in order to slowly but surely reinforce new ways of collaborating and get the most out of teams. The ROI for this new team approach will be demonstrable in a variety of metrics. Thanks for all your good work. See you in a week when I get back. In the meantime, please send my best wishes to everyone on the team and others you see in the office. This is a really important time for all to stick together and focus on supporting one another. Enjoy your week! Steve Steve Goldstein Business Development 1st VP FCT Industries Email: Steve.Goldstein@fctindustories.com Skype username: steve.fctindustries “Real patriotism is a willingness to challenge the government when it’s wrong.” –Ron Paul
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- Part 2 (7 Marks)
- Identify five principles violated in this email. (5 Marks)
- Make recommendations for improving this email. (2 Marks)
