Reflection

I managed to learn a lot through projects, assignments and various activities. Initially, I thought I would only learn how to communicate professionally. I think I manage to bring home more than just communicating effectively but also, many other life skills.

The last activity, “role stripping”, made me think a lot. We all have many roles to juggle and have to prioritize what roles to play at each stage of our lives. We are often busy with work and neglect prioritizing our roles and I think this usually leads to a loss in focus in life. It really made me think again what my role is now.

Here’s an undergraduate speaker at a commencement ceremony. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULRosL7AOpk

Despite being considered average, the speaker gave a great speech which I think it is worth learning. Writing this post feels like writing a commencement speech, a last post for ES2007S. But I think it is a beginning of many new beginnings.

A quote from Semisonic’s “Closing Time”, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” Let us look forward to every ending as it only means that a new beginning, a new challenge awaits for all of us. All the best!

Reflection

http://prezi.com/2v851d3_okxy/edit/#32

Just trying out my last post on this Prezi. Tell me if there's any problem opening the page.

Thanks.

Over?

I think I didn't do well for the oral presentation. I was more nervous after the presentation than before. I was afraid my mistake would not only affect my grade, but also my team members'.

However, I think is better to commit all the serious mistakes now and really learn from them than committing the mistakes at work in future.

Is it over? I don't think so. I think the end of this ES2007S presentation marks the beginning of many presentations in future. Anyway, I will definitely be more prepared and confident for my coming technological innovation presentation next week!

Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

Every country has its own unique culture and values. Given the rising rate of global migration trend, more and more people of diverse cultures will be living together in the same society. Hence, it is essential for everyone to understand, appreciate and adapt to the various cultural behaviours in order for everyone to live in harmony. I consider myself fortunate as I have been to many countries and experience many different cultures before. The Youth Expedition Project trip to Laos last December was a fruitful one.

We were on a project to build a classroom for the children in one of the village. On the first day in the village, the village teacher was showing us around the village. We had a hard time understanding him as none of us knew Laotian language. We had to rely on one of the Singaporean facilitator, who is always not around, to help us translate.

When we started working on the building, due to our enthusiasm, we always worked fast and hard. Soon, we started to notice that the two Laotians that were initially working slowly also started to work faster to keep up with us. Then we remembered what our Singaporean facilitator told us, “Laos PDR, Please Don’t Rush”. We soon realised Laotians always take their time to work and get contented easily. Even though we were working to build a classroom in Laos, I felt so relax and carefree there.

Different cultures have different pace and ways of doing things. In future, it is very possible for us to be working with people from different cultures. Some of us might even be posted overseas to work. I believe it is vital for us to understand the working culture of the workplace and adapt quickly.

Application Letter

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Interpersonal Conflict

This incident happened a week ago, so I'd better blog it down while it’s still fresh in my mind.

I was having a conversation with my mom on the phone regarding money matter and this is the summarized version of our conversation:

Mom: Why do you always tell me this (money matter) at the last minute? You should have told me earlier… (and my mom goes on nagging for 5minutes, bringing up old grudges.)

Me: Sorry sorry… (it was really my fault that I brought it up at the last minute, but I was a little exasperated that she always brings up old grudges)

Mom: You should also discuss this issue with your father, but he’s not at home now.

Me: Why… ?

It was 10pm then and I was wondering where my father was. Hence, my "Why" referred to why wasn't my father home. However, my mom interpreted my question as "Why should I discuss it with my father", in which she thought it was rude of me.Soon, my mother continued with her nagging.

I quickly began to clarify my question. At that instance, I was so tempted to point out her mistake in misinterpreting my question and bringing up old grudges.

However, I decided not to after a quick reflection. I realized I was partly at fault for this miscommunication because my question was indeed too vague. I also realized there’s no point in trying to “win” this conversation.

Eventually, after clarification, my mother told me where my father went, and we ended the conversation on a peaceful note.

Through this short conversation, I realize it is so easy to pick up an argument. I could have succumb to my temptation and retorted her. Fortunately, I managed to “stepped on the brake” to prevent further unnecessary conflicts and argument.

If you were in my position, what would you do?

Effective Communication

Communication is like a game of charades.

Charades is a word guessing game, in which one player (actor) has to act out a word or phrase for the other player (guesser) to guess. You will usually hear all sorts of funny, weird guesses that is totally far from the correct word or phrase. The actor will move on to act the next word or phrase only when the guesser gets the correct answer.

In fact, I think ineffective communication is very similar to the game of charades. The difference is that instead of acting, the speaker speaks to get the message across to the listener. However, communication is not a game, we can’t guess till we get the correct answer. For ineffective communication, the speaker always thinks that his intended message has gotten across, and the listener will not know if the message he receives is the intended message.

The reason why we communicate with one another is because we want to get our full intended message across to the other party and hence I believe effective communication skills is, in fact, important for everyone regardless of your line of work or the social settings. This message doesn’t limit to just the literal content of the message. The message is like a package, it also includes the nonverbal aspect. To me, if the listener does not receive the full intended message, it is considered an ineffective communication.

I don’t think I have acquired good communication skills. I always have problems expressing and voicing out my thoughts and ideas. I believe everyone has the freedom to voice out their thoughts. The inability to do so due to the lack of effective communication skill is like one is imprisoned by his own flaws. Hence, I will strive to improve in this area.