Effective Communication

Effective Communication

Question 1

In all Dr King’s speeches and conversation, the language of restraint was evident. In particular, in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” he attempts to reveal his purpose and the envisaged effect through his creative use of ethos, logos as well as pathos. Based on the context within which the letter was drafted, the tone portrays King’s remarkable restraint and composure that is rare.

All along in King’s career, several of sceptics accused him of engineering for segregation together with other policies inclined toward racism. Nonetheless, using the power of his tone, he appeared committed to stand for different purposes. In the first place, the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” strictly sticks to King’s eventual intention of seeking to justify his hard stand as being the pursuit of justice.

Martin Luther King Jr never wished to validate the deep-seated fears of his audience that the movement championed by the Black was an extremist sect seeking to stir-up violence. Consequently, his restraint earned him a sympathetic audience whereby he managed to declare his firm embraces of tension and extremism. By presenting his difficult argument through ethos, pathos and logos, he remained practically unimpeachable.

Question 2

• What are your experiences with direct versus indirect communication?

Direct and indirect forms of communication are prevalent across all communities of society. While some cultures embrace a direct form of communication, some embrace indirect communication. The good thing is that both forms aim at disseminating intended information to a particular recipient. My take on the use of direct communication is that it does not convolute the message, and it is easily understood by nearly everybody, including people from outside the culture. On the contrary, indirect communication often gives me problems understanding, and it needs me to do some research first regarding the symbolic meaning of some phrases as it implies in a particular culture. This aspect makes communication difficult and lengthy.

• Do you prefer direct versus indirect communication? Justify your response.

Given the difficult time I have had with indirect communication, I prefer direct communication. Direct communication enhances quick understanding of the message being disseminated.

• As a future manager, how will you deal with employees who communicate indirectly?

In my management system, I shall advocate for direct communication mainly to ensure everyone in the system understands the message being communicated and to avert the situation where much time is wasted when people try to interpret whatever that is being communicated.

Question 3

While serving as Principal of a certain high school, I once wrote an appraisal letter to the boarding teacher who had been implicated in gross-misconduct severally. She had been adversely accused by other members of staff for colluding with some students and parents to be sneaking forbidden items, especially food in the dormitory. Nonetheless, the same teacher was exemplary in games, and she had just coached and presented the school’s girl’s football team to the national tournament where the team registered spectacular results. In my letter, I began by complimenting her for the excellent effort she had exhibited in preparing girls for the much-awaited tournament. This excited her as she acknowledged being humbled by the praise. I then pointed out the vice and explained how such a trivial trait could easily ruin her hard built reputation if she did not correct it.

The approach I adopted made the letter very effective though the compliment seemed to excite the teacher so much that she would not take the correction seriously. Otherwise, I succeeded in maintaining her goodwill by linking the message to her most recent breakthrough, which she held dear to herself and would do anything to protect.

Question 4

INTERNAL MEMO

Date: _______________2020.

From the CEO

To all employees

Cc. Senior Supervisors

Head of Departments

SUBJECT: ALERT OF DANGER OF IONIZING RADIATION

Following the prevalent health complications arising from high exposure of employees to ionizing radiation, I wish to inform you that I have resolved to abolish possession and usage of mobile phone and other electronic devices in the working area with effect from Monday 06/01/2020.

The directive comes at a time when this company has been listed by the Disaster and Emergency Management Board as one of those entities whose working condition are hazardous to its employees due to uncontrollable use of mobile communication gadgets in an environment that is largely vulnerable to an explosion.

It should be understood that health and safety come first before everything else, and therefore, I am committed to ensuring that no one compromises the standards set by the company.