Posted: June 14th, 2023

Option 1: Workplace Communication

Option 1: Workplace Communication
Business conversationIn this option, you will weigh ethical responsibilities in communication against one another and determine which mode of communication is most appropriate for a potentially uncomfortable discussion with a colleague.
After reading Chapter 1, review the Continuing the Conversation case study that follows. As you are reading, put yourself in the role of the supervisor. Think about what you can and should say next, employing ideas from Chapter 1.
Then address these questions in a forum post:
What would you say next to Toya, and how did you determine what to say?
Do you advocate a linear or transactional model of communication for this situation? Explain the reasoning behind your choice.
Explicit and skillful use of concepts from the textbook is required.
Prompt Option 2: Interpersonal Communication in Peanuts
Lucy from Peanuts in booth that reads Psychiatric Help $.05Review the Peanuts comic strip in Ch. 1 of your textbook. Then address the following in a forum post:
Using several concepts from Chapter 1, explain the humor and ideas at work in this comic strip. Think about the following questions:
Is Lucy using effective interpersonal communication skills?
What should Lucy know about interpersonal communication to help her become a better counselor?
What kind of meaning is being created between Lucy and Charlie Brown?
Explicit and skillful use of concepts from the textbook is required

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Option 1: Workplace Communication

Continuing the Conversation Case Study:

Toya has been working at your company for six months and is frequently absent. She just told you that she has a chronic health condition, which she has not disclosed before. You need to have a conversation with her about how her absences affect the team and the project.

As the supervisor in this situation, the first thing I would say to Toya is that I appreciate her telling me about her chronic health condition. I would then acknowledge that I understand this must be a difficult time for her and that I am sympathetic to her situation. However, I would also explain to her that her absences are having an impact on the team and the project.

To determine what to say next, I would refer to the ethical responsibilities of communication outlined in Chapter 1 of the textbook. Specifically, I would consider the need for honesty, respect, and empathy. I would want to be honest with Toya about the impact of her absences, but also show empathy and respect for her situation. I would strive to find a balance between these ethical responsibilities.

In this situation, I would advocate for a transactional model of communication. This is because the communication between myself and Toya is not a one-way process, but rather a conversation where we both have something to contribute. The transactional model emphasizes the importance of feedback and understanding between both parties, which is essential in this situation.

To conclude the conversation, I would suggest that we work together to find a solution that accommodates Toya’s health condition while also ensuring that the team and project are not negatively impacted. This would involve discussing potential accommodations such as flexible working hours or remote work options. Overall, the key to this conversation is to balance the ethical responsibilities of communication with the need to find a solution that works for both Toya and the team.

Option 2: Interpersonal Communication in Peanuts

The Peanuts comic strip in Chapter 1 of the textbook features Lucy offering psychiatric help to Charlie Brown for 5 cents. Using concepts from Chapter 1, we can analyze the humor and ideas at work in this strip.

Lucy’s communication skills are not effective in this situation. She does not listen actively to Charlie Brown’s problems and instead jumps to conclusions and offers simplistic solutions. This is a common barrier to effective interpersonal communication, as outlined in Chapter 1. Lucy’s lack of empathy and active listening skills also prevent her from building a meaningful connection with Charlie Brown.

To become a better counselor, Lucy should learn more about the ethical responsibilities of communication, such as honesty, respect, and empathy. She should also work on her active listening skills to better understand the problems her clients are facing. Additionally, she could benefit from learning about cultural differences in communication, as this can impact how clients perceive and respond to her counseling.

The meaning created between Lucy and Charlie Brown is one of frustration and disappointment. Charlie Brown comes to Lucy seeking help and understanding, but Lucy fails to provide this. Instead, she dismisses Charlie Brown’s problems and offers simplistic solutions that do not address the root causes of his issues. This creates a sense of disconnect between Lucy and Charlie Brown, and reinforces the idea that counseling is not always effective or helpful.