Communicating Effectively
Email
I found the email message to be cordial yet very straightforward. It is clear that Jane needs the missing report and she pointed out her reasons for needing it. She was polite in offering her appreciation and sympathy regarding the meeting.
Voicemail
The voicemail was also polite, but it felt as if Jane was more stressed about receiving the information or report in a timely manner. In the voicemail, I could hear emphasis on certain words that did not come through in a written email. This led to a slightly different interpretation of the same message.
Face-to-Face
The face-to-face communication was much more relaxed and expressive than the previous two scenarios. By using relaxed body language, her request did not seem demanding or authoritarian.
Synthesis
Although the message was the exact same through each form of communication, I found that the overall emotion and feeling behind the message changed with each scenario. In some cases, it showed stress. In others, it was friendly and encouraging. This was all due to the tone of Jane’s voice and her body language. The face-to-face confrontation brought forth the urgency and maintained a professional demeanor. For this reason, I believe that the face-to-face meeting was most effective, although I am not discounting the others entirely. The implications for myself lie in the knowledge that the same message can be construed in unexpected manners depending on the delivery method. Communicating with members of a project team should most often be done in a face-to-face setting when possible, as long as I am conscious of the voice tonality and body language.
mzcrab said,
November 19, 2010 at 8:44 am
Yes… I agree that even though the message was the same each had a different way of conveying the thought. I agree that face-to face is the better way to communication. However, we know realistically that doesn’t always happen. Getting to know people personally and having a good relationship does help more when you are having to communicate other ways besides face to face. Good Post Margaret…Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!!
eworglll said,
November 19, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Hi Margaret,
Nice post. Everything isn’t felt the same way when done a certain way by others for others to see. But the message as you say is clear in all three cases even though they all have differences that can be depicted. What I saw through the three modals is the enrichment of what technology can apply through those that have the know how ad technique to view their P.O.V..
Nice post
Karen said,
November 20, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Hi Margaret,
Hi Margaret,
My post is a little different from yours because I found the e-mail to be confusing and tone of the e-mail I felt was written in a panic state. I agree the face-to-face communication was more relaxed which was evident by the body language. Great Post.
Karen
Tyrese said,
November 21, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Hi Margaret,
I think we all agree in that the face to face is the best way to deliver the message. I however found fault with the email and voicemail. I think with the email especially it could be received as being forceful and maybe not as polite depending upon how it was received by the person. Also I believe that the email got to be a bit confusing because it did not state the true purpose of the email up front which could leave the reader feeling frustrated if they are busy and what to get straight to the point. I think possibly she could have offered her understanding after she stated what she wanted and the solutions to the problem. With this being such an urgent need she needs to stick to letting him know that it is important that she receive it as soon as possible. I may not have given all the details on how it will affect her personal deadlines if she does not receive it because she does not want to seem as though she is putting her needs before his but just that she needs it by a due date. I think you did a great job of reading into the true intent of the message it is just from my personal experiences that I say the email and voicemail flirt with dangerous territory depending on how it is received by the person.
Great post!