Business

  How does context influence your communication? Consider the language and culture people grew up with, and the role these play in communication styles:

As we discussed in class, context can make or break communication. If you are unaware of what someone is talking about or are just unsure of how they are using a word, you may not be able to fully understand what they are talking about. Being in the military and traveling all over the country and world has helped me realize that just because I use a word or gesture one way, it may be interpreted totally opposite of what was being intended. Being able to understand where someone is from and how they talk is a major component in communication.

2.  Observe two people talking.  Describe their communication.  See if you can find all eight components and provide an example for each one.

I was in a meeting and observed my boss and one of his employees talking about a meeting.


Source:  My boss and his employee we discussing that we were going to have a meeting so that she would not have to go to another meeting.

Message:  We are having a meeting Friday at 4pm

Channel:  Face-to-face communication

Receiver:  Co-worker as well as other members of the team.

Feedback:  After the employee understood that it was a “made up” meeting so that she could get out of another meeting there was laughing as well as a little embarrassment for not understanding that it was a fake meeting in the first place.

Environment:  The conversation took place in the weekly morning status meeting.

Context:  The individuals at the morning meeting are from all over the country. Clear communication and minimizing the use of slang ensures all members are clear on what is required.

Interference:  The conversation was between two individuals, however it was in a meeting with multiple people listening and laughing. Also, being unable to pick up that the comment was a joke interfered with the message.

1. How does context influence your...