An important component of the communication process is the channel used to send the message. For example, you would not want to deliver lengthy and complicated technical instructions in a face-to-face conversation where the listener does not have the chance to take notes. Choosing the appropriate channel can have a strong impact on both the effectiveness of and response to your message. In this Discussion, you will consider the impact of a communication channel on a message.

To prepare for this Discussion:

Consider a time in which the channel chosen for a communication had a significant impact on your participation in and response to the communication. 

BY DAY 3

• Post an evaluation of the impact of communication channels on effective messaging. In your evaluation, do the following:

Briefly describe the communication, including the primary message and your role in the communication.

Explain the channel chosen for the communication and why this channel was selected. If the reason is unknown, provide your best assumption for why it was selected.

Analyze whether this choice of channel was effective and appropriate, supporting your analysis with this week’s Learning Resources.

• Assess what you would do (or recommend be done) differently in the future regarding channel choice and “noise” elimination in similar situations.
• Refer to the Week 7 Discussion Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this grading rubric to assess your work.
• Read some of your colleagues’ postings.
• BY DAY 5

Respond to two or more of your colleagues’ posts in one or more of the following ways:

Respectfully pose one or two questions to your colleague about whether the choice of channel they described was effective and appropriate, which may provide them with further insight or opportunity for reflection.

Provide one or two additional recommendations regarding channel choice and/or noise reduction that could be applied to the situation your colleague outlined.

Share an insight you gained from your colleague’s evaluation, including how you can put their recommendations into practice in the future. 

Reply:

Lindsey Mwoga

RE: Discussion – Week 7

COLLAPSE

Briefly describe the communication, including the primary message and your role in the communication.

An organization I worked at was fully donor-funded. Grants were renewed every year, and as a result, employment contracts were also renewed annually. One year, we got the news that one of the projects would close, and the donors were not going to fund any other project. This meant laying off over half of the current employees at the time. The communication was received nine months before the expected close-out date. During a management meeting, he informed us that he would not immediately communicate the news to the staff. He instead instructed the grants team to work overtime and identify possible grants the organization could qualify for. Together with the technical team, the grants department was able to identify a grant that could keep everyone employed for a guaranteed two years within three months. The CEO then called a staff meeting and presented the news. He informed everyone about the soon-to-close project and the proposed way forward.

Explain the channel chosen for the communication and why this channel was selected. If the reason is unknown, provide your best assumption for why it was selected.

The CEO chose a staff meeting where he could talk to people face to face. It also allowed the team to ask any questions and have them addressed.

Analyze whether this choice of channel was effective and appropriate, supporting your analysis with this week’s Learning Resources.

This method of communication was very effective and appropriate. The team was able to ask questions they had, and answers were given in real-time. The CEO and the management team were also able to pitch in on different questions.

Assess what you would do (or recommend be done) differently in the future regarding channel choice and “noise” elimination in similar situations.

Given the issue on hand, a staff meeting was the best way to communicate the news. With everyone having a complete picture of what was happening, no one felt insecure about their jobs. “When your message is concrete, your audience has a clear picture of what you’re telling them.” Emerald Works Limited. (n.d).

ReferencesEmerald Works Limited. (n.d). The 7 Cs of communication: A checklist for clear communication. MindTools. Log In to Mind Tools”>Log In to Mind Tools

Kweshonte Mathews

RE: Discussion – Week 7

COLLAPSE

• Briefly describe the communication, including the primary message and your role in the communication.

I work in education. In my field, everything has to be intentional with communication, especially when dealing with the safety and well-being of children. I believe in using all channels of communication in my area. The most common channels of communication that I use are email, letter notifications, visible signs everywhere, and verbal communication. I use 4 different ways to get a message across. Often, we have families that state they were not aware, they did not receive notice, and no one mentioned anything to them. This, If I am not there, the communication is still getting across. I’ve been in many situations where an email was just not good enough and messages were communicated poorly, causing friction in the workplace. I believe face to face is best so that we get a feel for one another’s body language, approaches to the conversation, and a better understanding. I have shed tears over an email because of how someone perceived me but gave different vibes verbally through compliments and praise.

• Explain the channel chosen for the communication and why this channel was selected. If the reason is unknown, provide your best assumption for why it was selected.

The channels I presented above were best selected due to the feedback I was receiving. Too many families were complaining about not getting notifications. For the email, I was in tears, This person was never on-site to have a verbal conversation. My initial assumption was that it was a brief update email on what was completed as I was resigning, and it turned into a virtual warzone instead.

• Analyze whether this choice of the channel was effective and appropriate, supporting your analysis with this week’s Learning sources.

This choice could have very well be effective, and I would not have changed it if I had a do-over. It was supposed to be a brief and quick email. The returned message turned into an insult. Communication is the best way of building great relationships (Mindtools,2021), so we are told, but when a slight change happens in the way we communicate, it can cause long-term communication damage. I lost all respect for this person just based on one statement.

• Assess what you would do (or recommend be done) differently in the future regarding channel choice and “noise” elimination in similar situations.

Most meetings should be done face to face. In my case, my email was simply stating the work I completed and the extra work I completed to make the transition easier for a new person filling my spot. The person responded by stating he noticed a minor error and that I needed to correct it. His approach was so aggressive and rude and he had never spoken to me that way.

Reference

Communications Planning: Getting the Right Message Across in the Right Way. Management Training and Leadership Training-Online.