Developing Communication Skills at QUT

This assignment details a personalized plan for enhancing communication skills during studies at the Queensland University of Technology. It outlines a structured approach spanning two to four months, incorporating various strategies such as reading relevant articles and books, maintaining a personal journal, participating in communication assessment tests, utilizing KWL charts to track progress, and seeking guidance from a mentor connected through CQU. The plan emphasizes practical activities and self-reflection to effectively develop essential communication skills for professional success.

Effective Business Communication
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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Diagnosis and Reflection.................................................................................................................4
Literature Review............................................................................................................................7
Action Plan......................................................................................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................12
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Introduction
This report is prepared on the topic-effective communication’ and it is an important point as
through effective communication message can be delivered by anyone and can be induced and
message can be delivered to other to inform them. Importance is given to the communication
skills and the skills must be improved at a better level so this will help in personal and
professional. By this process, communication silks can be improved. In addition to this by the
support of five diagnostic tools analysis the communication skills and also try to found the two
error by which the progress of the communication skills are limit and the due to this reasons not
having the confidence while giving the presentations and the interviews and due to this not
having the confidence of express the thoughts. In addition to this with the help of literature
review, it gives the full knowledge so with the support of the knowledge communication skills
can be improved. In this report with the help of action plan, some actions can occur such as
taking the short course, with the help of mentor communication skills can be improved and by
reading the plans.
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Diagnosis and Reflection
In this report, we will discuss the diagnostic tools such as a - interview skills checklist,
Assertiveness questionnaires, Johari window, communication style questionnaire and the
interpersonal commutation; with the help of these tools, communication skills can be examined.
In addition to this method can be tough for the communication skills related the progress of my
strengths and weakness. In the Johari window, different types of communication skills can be
directly used. By analysing the communication skills through this technique, I evaluated that I
have a better understanding of the verbal and non-verbal communication (Solomon, 2012). Some
of the areas are hidden which can be easily known to us and not for others such as having the
sharp ability for the emotions based talk that is in their tone. In the blind area quadrant, condition
the communication skills, some of these which of not aware of it and the others also not aware of
this such as having the capacity of decode the nonverbal prompt. In this quadrant some of the
aspects are unknown and it needs the better skills to improve the communication with the help of
the cultural group. In this, the questions raised by this only the communication style of the
individual can be improved; and this method is more suitable. In this having the score of 9 out of
18 it makes the leading style. As, some of the people which are amiable have examined
themselves such as dependable, agreeable, supportive and respectful by the only individuals can
make the concentration in their present ( Shultz, 2016). The Amiable people such as me and
others may involve personal, friendly, orderly and relaxed by this if an individual may get
frustrated or may be confused or not communicate easily in these formal setting such as
presentations and interviews. In context to amiable communication skills, the model of this may
be not so impressive at a time, it also needs an accurate and up to date work and even the good
listener also become harmful. I this Dominant style matches by this only individual can measure
the performance.
In this report, another method is assertiveness questionnaires this method is mostly used for
examining the communication skills of the individual skills. In this scoring, the points 12 out of
15 it may be the passive attitude scale of individual one. In this having any pressure then also the
individual may not become the rudely (Russell & Cohn, 2012). As a result of it, this type of
attitude restricts the valuable the communication skills this mainly useful when while giving the
presentation in groups or while communicating with the seniors this method is very effective.
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Another method is Interpersonal communication it is the most important point in which it noticed
that how individual communicated with others. In this, the scoring score of the individual is 71
out of the 90points. By this scoring rate, it can be assumed that how the individual is capable of
being a communicator (O'Toole, 2016). The soring rate of 71 is also better an individual has to
pay attention to the interpersonal communication skills and also needs the more improvements in
their skills. In this training is must need while improving the communication skills. In this
Interview skills checklist is a diagnostic tool by which only individual skills can be features at
the time of interviews. In addition to this with the help of these diagnostic tools, it is a major
aspect it helps in finding out the stressed and the nervousness while facing the interviews even
the individual prepared well for the interviews. In this individual may be getting nervous while
giving the answers to the questions asked in the interviews and even having the full preparation
at the time of interview due to this individual may get confused while facing the interviews.
In this with the help of these tools individual may solve their issues of communication skills such
as difficulties face while expressing their ideas while giving the professional interviews and the
presentations even they may be nervous and panic (Barker, 2016). Another reason is the not
having them so much confidence while presenting the presentation and also in interviews. In this
not having them so much confidence individual has suffered recently while facing the interview.
Hai resort located in Hoi an, in Vietnam this is my recent experienced in last year. A call came
for an interview even while facing the interview no eye-contact is there also giving the wrong
answer to the question asked because of the nervousness and then also clear the interview.
In addition to this, the five diagnostic tools revealed the difficulties while facing the interviews is
not properly expressing the thoughts or ideas and not having them so much confidence while
giving the presentations the result of it turn into the failure. In this by giving the example this
problem can be solved out due to not having the confidence is point out in the interview skills
checklist reason behind this is no thoughts come out during the interviews due to hurry. Another
issue is a problem of communication with other and this problem is solved out by the
assertiveness assessments which are known as assertiveness attitude (Hakim, 2016). In this
Amiable is not the correct method for controlling the situation no need of rudely. Lack of
confidence when communicating others shows the assertiveness attitude such as amicable.
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Literature Review
The most common problem is of effective communication is not having the proper conversation
with others persons is due the lack of confidence and also due to language problem, not having
ideas to express the thoughts, fear, not having any objectives, nervousness and planning etc. due
to these aspects it leads to not having the proper communication skills. In this passive
communication, method thoughts are not clearly expressed. In this by using the assertive
communication skills can be improved the skills. In this with the help of assertive
communication skills can be improved and the individual can easily make the conversations with
the parties or with the groups (Kuhnke, 2012). This skill is straightforward while delivering the
message. Assertive communication skills method can be used to solve out the issue related to not
able to express their ideas and thought while dealing with the parties. The important aspects of
the having a good communication are practicing of ideas and thoughts and make the plans of
meetings and also make the plan before the conversation in professional.
In this Assertive communication skills is the method which is accepted by the individual and by
the others so that proper communications can take place ( Northcote, Maria, Gosselin, & Kevin
P., 2016). This type of attitude is mainly defined as it is open and honest in these peoples easily
and with trust can views their thoughts. In this, with the help of this attitude, it can force the
people to make a conversation with other and improve the communication while listening. In
these skills is very helpful in achieving the objectives with having the improved communication
skills. Assertive communication is a process which is defined by the ideas and the thoughts of
the members should be clear and make easy to understand by everyone and also clearly defined
the message. In this, the conversation should be in good pattern and importance one. The
conversation must be fully developed and so that it can easily impress anybody (Kolb, 2014).
The quality of interpersonal skills must be meaningful. In this individual have to pay attention
that the ideas delivering must be effective full and impress the parties. With the help of skills
requirements of the party can be known.
In this Interpersonal skills improve only when the communication skills are an effective one. In
this relationship can be maintained by using the Interpersonal skills. The best method to make
your interpersonal skills more useful by considering that how the other people behave. In
addition to this, an individual must have the knowledge of communicating with other people in a
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proper way this process is known as ‘active listening’. In these skills many different skills are
explained:
-Mentor gives the facility of training to people.
-Communications: developed the meaningful ideas for the verbal and non-verbal (Kolb, 2014).
-Leadership- Individual has the quality of leadership and having the leadership quality to
communicate with others.
-Problem-solving: Having the quality of solving the problem such as business and group
problem.
-Negotiations: Having the agreement when the difference in ideas.
-Empathy: In this chance is giving to individual in company,
-Teamwork: Work together for achieving the goals.
Interpersonal communication is developing day to day the reason behind this is that individual
solving their problem of lack of confidence while facing the interviews and presentations and
also taking the help of communicators and also improving the skills during communications. In
these interpersonal skills, knowledge attracts the audience and it can be dangerous for at a time.
In these interpersonal skills is used for cheering the people to understand the process of it
(Cicinelli , 2013). The major role is to understand the verbal and non-verbal process so that this
helps in improving the presentations and interviews and important is that while giving the
presentations must be understandable to parties having the meaningful presentations in front of
parties.
In this, it has been mention that should have the confidence while having the conversation with
the audience and communicators should have the confidence of what message they are giving
must be easily understood by the audience (Barker, 2016). Some errors can be observed during
the communications like a hesitation is known as the level of anxiety this error occurs during the
communication with others. In this communication apprehension method is for the bad
communication in the interviews and presentations. This happens because of the level of anxiety.
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In addition to this, the most important tool is oral presentations it is the toughest process it occurs
due to not having the confidence while speaking in front of others as a result of it decrease the
efficiency of speaking. Through studying anxiety factor, it can be stated that anxiety occurs when
not having the confidence. So the individual must pay attention to developing the confidence and
also prepare himself for facing the interviews and presentations. Through communications skills,
the requirements of the audience can be analysed and understood and then according to the needs
of audience presentations can be presented (Cicinelli , 2013). The role of communicators in
communication skill is that they convince, notify, and try to motivate the audience and instruct
them by developing the skills. In this, while facing the interviews or presentations, proper
preparation must be done and it becomes difficult for building the confidence and also
confidence that the message delivery to the audience must be meaningful. In addition to this,
sometimes it also becomes tough while doing research on the same company where going for
interviews but this factor will become the right point to build the confidence while giving the
interviews.
In addition to this, it is very important to fight with the anxiety factor. Strategies are required to
manage the anxiety k while facing the interviews and presenting the presentations. This factor
helps in ensuring and also examining the level of confidence while giving the presentations and
the correct message should be delivered to the audience (Hargie, 2016). In addition to this, it is
very necessary to read the whole topic very carefully and then also analysis the every point
regarding the presentations so by these tactics it helps in building the confidence by this only
meaningful message will be delivered during the presentations. In this, the main aspect is to
understand the question clearly while giving the interviews and then replied the answer with a
fresh mind and with lots of confidence and the answer given must be meaningful and correct
(West, 2010).
Action Plan
In this action plan is used for earning the knowledge in context to communication skills and also
to improve the skills. Through this activities communication skills can be improved by
undertaking practices such as- short course from recognized institutes, reads the books and
article and the mentoring from CQU (Angelo, 2014). Beside this it includes the area which is
linked with the measurement activities is also include the action plan. In this report measurement
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and evaluation complete when the activities are done. In this with the help of measurement for
having the improvement in the communication skills some activities will be practiced:
Activitie
s
Description Time
period
for
completi
ng the
activity
Measurement of
completion
Undertak
ing short
courses
Short-term courses are the boon
for gaining and increasing
knowledge. These courses help
in sharpening individuals mind,
thinking ability etc. By these
courses, an individual acquires
the perfection in particular field
in less time compared to full-
time courses provided by the
universities ( Kurucz, Wheeler,
& A, 2013). These courses are
the important tools for
imparting effective skills at less
time. Hence the short term
courses will be undertaken,
through:
 Australia Institute of
Management for
effective communication
 Training Institute
 Queensland University
of Technology`s
2 to 3
months
Measurement of the
practices which will
be carried out to
develop the
communication
skills will be done
through a
communication
assessment test
(Cicinelli , 2013).
All the achievements
during the practices
of activities will be
carried out through a
KWL chart.
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Reading
plan
In order to develop the skills of
communication- Articles and
book will be read. Such as-
Improve your communication
skills written by Alan Barker in
the year 2016.
Two to
Five
months
Personal
Journal
Personal journal will be kept to
record the main points learned
during the course and by
reading the books and articles
2 to 4
month
Mentor The communication skills will
also be learned through a
mentor who is going to be
approached through CQU.
Support of mentor will help in
aligning the professional
communication skills with
requirements of the corporate
world.
1 to 3
month
Gantt chart
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References
Kurucz, E. C., Wheeler, D., & A, . (2013). Reconstructing Value: Leadership Skills for a
Sustainable World. University of Toronto Press.
Moss, C., & Brookhart, . (2012). Learning Targets. ASCD.
Northcote, Maria, Gosselin, & Kevin P. (2016). Handbook of Research on Humanizing the
Distance Learning Experience. IGI Global.
Shultz, G. (2016). Learning from Experience. Hoover Press. .
Adair, J. (2013). Develop Your Leadership Skills. Kogan Page Publishers.
Angelo, G. (2014). The 7 Effective Communication Skills. Seisnama.
Barker, A. (2016). Improve Your Communication Skills. Kogan Page Publishers.
Cenere, P., & Gill, R. (2015). Communication Skills for Business Professionals. Cambridge
University Press.
Cicinelli , A. (2013). Communication Styles. Academic achievement.
Davies, S. (2014). Johari's Window. Silverwood Books Limited.
Goldberg, D. (2014). People-Centric Skills. John Wiley & Sons.
Hakim, Y. E. (2016). The Importance of Engagement in the Learning Experience. Retrieved
2017, from http://www.citethisforme.com/blog/2016/02/01/the-importance-of-
engagement-in-the-learning-experience
Hargie, O. (2016). Skilled Interpersonal Communication. Taylor & Francis.
Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential Learning. FT Press.
Kuhnke, E. (2012). Communication Skills For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons.
O'Toole, G. (2016). Communication - eBook. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Roongpiti, J. (2010). Motivation Theories. Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication.
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Russell, J., & Cohn, R. (2012). Johari Window. Book on Diamond.
Solomon, D. (2012). Interpersonal Communication. Routledge.
West, R. (2010). Understanding Interpersonal Communication. Cengage Learning.
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