Week 3 Blog Assignment - Face-To-Face Is Best

     I have actually facilitated this sort of communication activity at my current employer.  I have facilitated several classes that cover communication styles.  This activity displays different channels of communication with various levels of richness.  “Richness refers to the number of verbal and nonverbal cues of modes of communication that the channel carries” (Dobkin and Pace, 2006, p. 16).  The three different examples of communication demonstrated that each channel of communication could be received differently even though the message was the same.  Since I have had a lot of personal training on this topic, I can look past missing cues that exist in the various channels of communication.  As a result, my interpretation of the message did not change as I already knew what the activity was trying to reveal to us.  By the way, channels of communication are “the mediums that carry messages between communicators” (Dobkin and Pace, 2006, p. 15).

     When compared to almost any other communication form known to man, a face-to-face encounter is always the highest in richness.  We can see, hear and experience all of the verbal and non-verbal cues.  In essence, nothing is hidden from the message.  As a receiver of the this channel of communication, I can immediately give a response.  This really helps to facilitate information most efficiently.

     The voicemail version is a little bit lower on the richness scale.  We are missing the non-verbal cues that the face-to-face encounter enabled us to have.  Sometimes tone of voice takes over in this scenario.  Even if you are not in a bad mood, you runt he risk of sounding mad or agitated if you do not use the right tone.  If done in person, the receiver of communication can also rely on the non-verbal cue to determine whether or not this communicator is angry or condescending.

     Finally, the email communication is the worst of the three examples.  One thing I like about emails is that I can see a lot of definite data.  There is no hiding from a word or a number given in email form.  What you see is what you get.  I do like this about email data.  If you have a lot to keep up with, email communication can be your friend if you do not mind reading through tons of emails.  The drawback of this type of message is that we loose both our verbal and non-verbal cues.  To be effective, communicators must spend extra time crafting a good email.  Using just the right words or phrases may determine whether or not you are received well or at all.

     In conclusion, “the key to successful project management is effective communication” (Portny, Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, Sutton and Kramer, 2008, p. 357).  Since we might have several different communication preferences within our own project team, it is vital that we take time to find out everyone’s communication preferences.  I would even go as far as to take a moment to touch base with each member and ask them what there communication preferences may be.  I would also make time for regular project team meetings.  “Project teams should have the opportunity to meet periodically to reaffirm the project’s focus” (Portny, Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, Sutton and Kramer, 2008, p. 365).  Planning time to communicate regularly will only help your team.  The success of your project may just depend on whether or not communication was a success or a failure within your project and team.  Make time to give communication the attention it needs.

References

Dobkin, B.A., and Pace, R.C. (2006) Communications in a Changing World (2^nd Ed).  Boston:  McGraw-Hill

Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.