Effective Business Communication: Reflection on Competency Development

This report presents a student's reflection on developing effective business communication competency. The student utilized various communication diagnostic tools, including the Big Five project, Life orientation tests, Self-Perceived Communication Competence Questionnaire, Tolerance for Disagreement, and TV Character tests, to assess their interpersonal communication skills. The results identified strengths and weaknesses, particularly in conflict management and ego control. A literature review explores conflict management and psychodynamic approaches to personality, providing context for the identified weaknesses. The student then outlines a detailed action plan, incorporating strategies like seeking guidance from communication experts, practicing active listening, and engaging in self-reflection to improve communication skills over the next six months. The plan is designed to be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely (SMART), aiming to overcome challenges related to ego and conflict in professional interactions.

Running head: EFFECTIVE BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 1
EFFECTIVE BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Student Name
Institution

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Developing effective communication competency
Reflection
Effective communication is a process that is gradual. It does not happen at once and
needs a commitment to be attained. To help individuals with their communication, experts
developed communication diagnostic tools that help assess one’s communication skills. Through
them, people get to know about their strengths and weaknesses in interpersonal communication. I
took five communication and personality diagnostic tools and they helped me to determine my
strength and weaknesses in this field. Therefore, this paper provides a reflection regarding the
diagnostic tools results, areas that need attention and plan for action.
Diagnostic tools
Nothing gives more satisfaction than knowing who you are. Discovering oneself is not
only important to you but also to people you relate with. Knowing oneself can be an exhausting
journey. If not done carefully, one may end up with a wrong perception of self. Probably, this is
what the brains behind communication and personality tests thought hence they found a way of
making knowing you easier and fun.
Communication Diagnostic tools have gained worldwide recognition for their ability to
measure a person’s interpersonal communication skills. Moreover, more organizations have
opted to apply them in employee recruitment processes. Lucky enough, those who have used
them have attested that the tools have helped in hiring qualified employees who know how to
communicate with both clients and colleagues.

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To assess my interpersonal communication skills, I used five communication diagnostic
tools; The Big Five project, TV character, Life orientation tests, Self-Perceived Communication
Competence Questionnaire and Tolerance for Disagreement. I found Life orientation test to be
the most interesting. I scored 27 meaning that I am quite optimistic. The life orientation test is
brief, clear and easy to use. The questions are specific and do not need a lot of thinking to
answer.
The Big Five project test tool assessed my personality test. It describes people
based on openness to experience, Conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and
neuroticism. The aim of the Big project test in communication is to generate feedback which
completes the circuit of communication and improves general communication process with the
implementation of recommendations obtained from the receiver of the message (Miller, 2014).
Notably, the Big Five project test is a big success in the general improvement of the
communication process with the senders of information having an opportunity of improving on
the same based on the assessment and feedback from the receiver. I scored 63 in this test. The
fact that this test uses plenty of variables to arrive at a personality type assures me of its accuracy
because of its in-depth approach in assessing my personality.
The Self Perceived Communication Competence Questionnaire gives an assessment tool
of how individuals analyze levels of their communication abilities. This is how individuals view
their abilities in communication as effective communicators (Kalat, 2013). According to this
tool, the competence in communication is attributed to important components passed within a
given piece of information. Notably, the communication competence in this context is based on

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the perception of the sender which might not necessarily conform to the receiver’s perceptions
and interpretation.
In this tool, I score 72, which is found at the moderate level. Based on the Self-perceived
communication competence questionnaire, the sender of the information gets time to put more
emphasis on the actual points that he/she feels and more important and more likely to support
and sustain the process of communication. In a nutshell, the competence discussed in this
communication diagnostic tool is not necessarily the actual competence but rather the perceived
competence which may vary.
Even though self-perceived communication competence questionnaire has been vital in
improving the communication processes, I feel that much of the assessment in this tool is
subjective rather than objective. It relies on the perceptions of individual and does not have pre-
set standards of evaluation. The value of competence is rarely driven from the generator but the
consumers of the message. Specifically, a subjective observation and receiver-report and self-
report which are some of the methods used in measuring communication competencies in this
tool are great impediments towards the achievement of objective communication.
Tolerance for Disagreement test evaluates the extent to which a receiver of a message can
tolerate information which he/she does not believe to be true. This a common phenomenon in the
communication process where the receiver and the sender have the underlying difference and
must, therefore, reach a middle ground for an effective communication to occur. Those who can
withstand other communicators with different worldviews and thoughts turn out to be more
effective communicators than others who get easily irritated with the information they don’t
perceive as true. The aim of this diagnostic tool was to improve interpersonal communication by

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encouraging communication tolerance between individuals from a different upbringing, political
divides, religious backgrounds, cultural orientations or any demographic variations. I scored 40
in this assessment. This puts me at a moderate level. In my own take, Tolerance for
Disagreement test is an important tool in the communication process taking into account the
heterogeneous nature of communication players across the world. There is an ever-increasing
need for tolerance to achieve the goals of communication.
The TV Character test, assess our communication skills and personality type using
famous TV programs. For example, I used the 24-series to establish my character. After
answering the questions, the result showed that I was Jack- the starring. This is because from my
answers- I was open-minded, host and straightforward.
None of the tests I took was inaccurate. I found all the results correct. Moreover, these
tests enabled me to identify my weak point in communication. I am not effective in conflict
management and controlling my ego when communicating with colleagues. The two weaknesses
have put me in critical situations that nearly rendered me jobless.
Communication is an essential element in the progress of any organization. Execution of
plans and managerial responsibilities revolve around proper communication. Even though there
are various definitions of communication, communication scholars are in agreement that
communication is the processes of sharing meaning through a symbol system. Effective
communication is evaluated based on communication diagnostic tools. I believe that the
diagnostic tools challenge me to be better in interpersonal communication through being open-
minded, humble and have good listening skills.

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Literature Review
From the diagnostic tools, I have discovered that I have weaknesses in conflict resolution
and ego management. These areas often interfere with how I communicate with my colleagues at
work. In this section, I will review what other authors have written regarding this topic.
Conflict management
Conflict occurs when our opinion, thinking, and perspectives clash with others’. It is
during such moments that we need to stop and think about how we can restore things back to
normal. Throughout our lives, we may be involved in conflicts. They may be personal or
organizational. Personal conflict occurs when we feel that others are opposing our interest.
Similarly, organizational conflicts occur when there clashing interest regarding resources, goals,
and roles.
Although many people view it as destructive, a conflict can be constructive if managed
responsibly. Destructive conflicts are dangerous and may cost one what he/she took long to
build. For example, being involved in a conflict with your supervisor of 15 years could lead you
to be fired. This will have denied you an opportunity to earn a living. Consequently, you may not
manage to pay your bills thus being chased from your rented home. The long chain of
consequences of destructive conflicts is the main reason institutions have invested so much in
conflict management.
Conflict management is not a stage, it is a process. It is not a one-time thing; it is
continuous (Stamato, 2014). It is a collective role that needs everyone’s contribution. For
example, in an organizational setup, management should formulate policies that offer guidelines
for the processes to follow when employees encounter conflicts. Most established corporations

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usually have a specially constituted conflict management committees in all departments. They
listen and recommend options for solving the conflict.
The best tool to use in conflict management is conflict resolution. Although the title is
often used interchangeably with conflict management, the two are different. Conflict resolution
provides first-hand short-term solutions for conflicts. A set of conflict resolution strategies are
then used in conflict management to prove long-term solutions to dealing with conflicts in the
organization.
Psychodynamic Approaches to Personality
These are concepts employed to explain the basis of behavior. They are a Structural
model of personality by Sigmund Freud, Inferiority and birth order by Alfred Adler,
Psychosocial development by Erik Erikson and Objects Relations theory. It is believed that
personality s the root of behavior during communication. Therefore, these approaches will help
to understand ego and how to control it during communication.
The structural model of personality states that there are 3 components of a personality.
That is id, ego, and superego. One is born with id, a component that always seeks pleasure
regardless of the circumstances (Thangarathinam, 2015). Ego aims to gratify id by first
considering the context. Superego develops later, and it gives one the ability to choose right over
wrong. Nonetheless, Freud states that the ego is the strongest principle of one’s personality.
The Inferiority and birth order approach holds that initially, we all have feelings of
weakness and inferiority. These become driving forces towards being strong and superior.
Additionally, one’s birth order plays an important role in personal growth. Adler claims that

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first-born children tend to feel inferior when their siblings arrive (GWI, 2012). Middleborn
children usually do not feel inferior but constantly have the urge to take the position of the
firstborn hence they have the tendency of being the most successful in a family (Nuru, 2014).
Being often pampered, the last born has the least power hence they tend to have inferiority
complex just like firstborn children.
Psychosocial developments theory states that in order for one to become successful in
life, he/she must first overcome some challenges. For example, at 0-1 year, a child must trust
others lest he becomes fearful in later life (McCleskey, 2014). Similarly, a child between 3 and 6
years should be organized otherwise he will always reject leadership positions in later life.
Erikson concludes these stages of personality development by stating that ego integrity during
the adult stage is rewarded with a happy and positive personality (Kolk, 2016). Objects relations
theory holds the view that an object relates to another through behaviors. These behaviours are
affected and shaped by the results of past interpersonal relationships. The theory is mostly used
to expound on behavior specifically in a family context.
The best way to deal with conflicts and ego is being flexible and respectful during
communication. This will ensure we do not offend other parties and frustrate their efforts in
reaching out (Jumbert, 2016). Each one of us comes from a different social, political and
economic background. Although these actors are often underrated, they play a critical role in
determining the nature of communication we have with others. During interpersonal
communication, it is important to consider these factors.

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Action Plan
After identifying conflict management and personal ego as key impediments in my
communication process, I have consequently created an action plan that would see me through
these challenges within the next six. I have evaluated that my action plan that I tend to carry out
in the next six months is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely
To begin with, I would utilize the knowledge from key resource persons who are
successful in the field of communication. I believe that every success does not come easily but
through challenges. I will seek to learn from the veterans of communication on how to overcome
the challenges brought by self-ego and conflicts of interest in communication. This for sure will
provide a realistic approach to improving my communication skills since I will be able to receive
firsthand information from communication experts from the relatively similar environment.
Particularly, I will identify two communication experts from within my locality whom I will be
meeting on a weekly basis and discuss and share my plight so as to get the best ways of
overcoming those challenges in communication.
Moreover, during this period, I will take advantage of regular communication workshops,
conferences, and seminars organized within our community. These conferences I believe will
help me live up to my dream of being an all-around effective communicator. In this conferences
and seminars, I will be attending with an open mind and great desire to learn on key skills of
overcoming self-ego and conflict of interest in my communication process, like before many
admirable communication experts have attributed their success to conferences and seminars
which gives me more hope to being part and parcel of these success stories. I am aiming at
attending at least four conferences within this period of six months

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In addition, I have a plan to enroll in a tertiary institution in my local town for a short
course in conflict management in communication. This course goes for 16 weeks hence it will be
realistic to accomplish within four months and still remain with some period to accomplish other
plans within my action plan. In my six-month action plan, enrolling in a college will help me
have a professional approach to overcoming the challenges of conflicts and self-ego in my
communication.
Above all, I will take my personal initiative to carry out extensive research on how to
overcome the challenges of conflict of interest and personal ego in communication. I will read
through the communication journals, books and other relevant scholarly articles on
communication with an aim of improving my skills in communication within this period. This I
will majorly dwell in during my free time especially during the weekends when I can walk into
the nearby library to carry out my research.
In conclusion, interpersonal communication skills need time to develop and polish.
Therefore, through the mentioned interventions, I plan to improve my skills in conflict resolution
and ego management. This way, I can get along better with my colleagues.

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Time Schedule
Criteria October November December January February March
Identify mentors to help in
interpersonal communication
Attend workshops involving
communication
Reading communication journals and
books
Conflict management course

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References
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Eastern Europe. South East European Journal of Economics and Business , 95-112.
Coser, L. (1997). Social Conflict and Theories of Social Change. The British Journal of
Sociology , 197-207.
GWI. (2012, April 5). Top 8 Components of a Disaster Recovery Plan for Business. Retrieved
October 8, 2016, from GWI: http://www.gwi.net
Hedges, K. (2015, June 5). How To Manage Conflict. Retrieved October 10, 2016, from Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com
Johns, G. D. (2016). Conflict Managementment and Peace Science. SageJournals , 20-45.
Juan, A. D. (2015). The Ba'athist Blockout? Selective Goods Provision and Political Violence in
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Jumbert, G. E. (2016). 2016. Moving Media and Conflict Studies Beyond CNN Effect , 15-30.
Kalat, J. (2013). An Introduction To Psychology 10th Edition. North Carolina: North Carolina
State University.
Kolk, A. (2016). The social responsibility of International business: From ethics and the
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McCleskey, J. (2014). Situational, transformational, and transactional leadership and leadership
development. Journal of Business studies, Quarterly , 117.

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Miller, O. (2014). The Negotiation Style : A Comparative Study between the Stated and in-
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Nuru, A. (2014, May 23). Between Layers: Understanding the Communicative Negotiation of
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