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المملكة العربية السعودية
وزارة التعليم
الجامعة السعودية الإلكترونية
College of Administrative and Financial Sciences
Assignment 1
Communication Management (MGT 421)
Due Date: 12/03/2022 @ 23:59
Course Name: Communication Management
Student’s Name:
Course Code: MGT421
Student’s ID Number:
Semester: Second
CRN: 23601
Academic Year:2021-22-2nd
For Instructor’s Use only
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Shahid Alam
Students’ Grade: / 10
Level of Marks: High/Middle/Low
General Instructions – PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY
· The Assignment must be submitted on Blackboard (WORD format only) via allocated folder.
· Assignments submitted through email will not be accepted.
· Students are advised to make their work clear and well presented, marks may be reduced for poor presentation. This includes filling your information on the cover page.
· Students must mention question number clearly in their answer.
· Late submission will NOT be accepted.
· Avoid plagiarism, the work should be in your own words, copying from students or other resources without proper referencing will result in ZERO marks. No exceptions.
· All answered must be typed using Times New Roman (size 12, double-spaced) font. No pictures containing text will be accepted and will be considered plagiarism).
· Submissions without this cover page will NOT be accepted.
Learning Outcomes:
1.1 Recognize and memorize concepts of communication theory as they affect business organizations and the individuals in them.
1.2 Communicate better, knowing that good communicators make better managers and that communication is a dynamic process basic to individuals and organizational life.
1.3 Analyse effective business letters, memorandums, and case studies.
Assignment Question(s):
Question 1: Critical Thinking
Two Phrases That Indicate Your Boss Is Not Listening To You
One of the biggest predictors of whether an employee will be engaged at work is the extent to which they feel like their boss listens to them. But sadly, we’ve all had (or are having) the experience of a boss who doesn’t listen to us. And I’m not talking about really blatant situations (e.g. they literally turn away from us or roll their eyes), but rather those situations in which the boss acts like they’re listening but hears nothing we say.
I recently witnessed just such a case. An executive, let’s call him “Pat,” was holding a town hall meeting to discuss the company’s recent, and disappointing, employee engagement survey results. About 40 employees showed up to the meeting. He kicked things off by saying, “Welcome, everybody. As you know, I’m having this meeting today because I want to hear your concerns directly. I’m here to listen about your issues with your supervisors, so fire away.”
One employee raised his hand first and said, “With the recent cost-cutting, I think we’ve all got concerns about whether we’re going to have jobs next year.” Pat quickly responded, “Oh, I hear you. You think you’ve got problems? At least your wages are ones that other companies will pay. But I’m the VP and I’m over 50, so when you combine my high salary with my age, I’m going to have a really tough time finding a job. But hey, life’s not fair, right?”
Then another employee raised their hand. “I actually have a different concern. My supervisor tells me that I’m supposed to bring her any suggestions for improvement, but when I do, it’s like she doesn’t listen to me.” Pat responded, “I know how that feels, but I don’t want you to worry, because those feelings will pass and you will get over it.”
Source : Forbes Magazine
Think about how well this manager listened in high-pressure situation:
1. Explain how well he did at each of the following active listening skills: paying attention, holding judgment, reflecting, clarifying, and sharing. (2.5 Marks)
2. Suggest some strategies to turn this manager into an excellent listener. (2.5 Marks)
Question 2: Writing Exercise
Things have been a little tight lately, and you need some money to get you through to the end of the school term. Write two letters asking for a loan of $500 (1) to a friend, (2) to a bank loan officer. How do your approaches to these audiences differ? (5 Marks)
Answers
1. Answer-
2. Answer-
________________
Sample Answer Writing Guide
Answer:
The manager in the given scenario exhibited poor listening skills. Let’s assess his performance in each of the active listening skills:
a) Paying attention: The manager did not pay full attention to the employees’ concerns. Instead, he diverted the focus to his own situation and challenges. He failed to demonstrate active engagement in listening to the employees’ issues. Score: Low
b) Holding judgment: The manager showed a lack of empathy and understanding by dismissing the employees’ concerns and downplaying their significance. He immediately shifted the attention to his own problems. He did not suspend judgment and failed to acknowledge the validity of their concerns. Score: Low
c) Reflecting: The manager did not reflect on the employees’ statements or seek clarification to ensure he understood their concerns accurately. He responded with personal anecdotes that were unrelated to the employees’ issues. Score: Low
d) Clarifying: The manager did not seek clarification or ask follow-up questions to gain a better understanding of the employees’ concerns. He made assumptions and responded based on those assumptions without seeking further information. Score: Low
e) Sharing: The manager did not share his understanding of the employees’ concerns or attempt to summarize their points. Instead, he focused on his own situation and offered dismissive responses. Score: Low
Overall, the manager’s performance in active listening skills was poor. He did not demonstrate effective listening behaviors and failed to create an environment where employees felt heard and valued.
Answer:
To transform this manager into an excellent listener, the following strategies can be implemented:
a) Provide training: Offer communication and active listening training programs to the manager. These programs can enhance their understanding of the importance of active listening, teach effective listening techniques, and provide opportunities for practice and feedback.
b) Foster an open and supportive culture: Create a workplace culture that values open communication and encourages employees to voice their concerns. By promoting an environment where everyone feels heard and respected, the manager will be more likely to adopt active listening practices.
c) Set a positive example: As a leader, the manager should model active listening behaviors. By actively listening to employees during meetings and one-on-one interactions, the manager can demonstrate the value and effectiveness of this skill.
d) Encourage feedback: Encourage employees to provide feedback on the manager’s listening skills. This feedback can be collected through anonymous surveys or open discussions. The manager can use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments.
e) Practice reflection: Encourage the manager to reflect on their own listening behaviors and identify areas for improvement. This self-awareness can help them recognize when they are not actively listening and take corrective actions.
f) Implement accountability measures: Incorporate active listening as part of the manager’s performance Assessment criteria. This will emphasize the importance of active listening skills and provide motivation for the manager to continually improve in this area.
By implementing these strategies, the manager can develop into an excellent listener, fostering better employee engagement, understanding, and a more positive work environment.
Answer:
Letter 1: Requesting a loan of $500 from a friend
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
Dear [Friend’s Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m reaching out to you because I find myself in a bit of a financial crunch, and I was wondering if you could Help me with a loan. As we have been friends for years, I believe we have a level of trust and understanding that makes me comfortable in making this request.
I am currently facing some financial difficulties that have put me in a tight spot, particularly with my expenses for the rest of the school term. I have tried exploring other options, but I believe your support would be
