My understanding of effective communication has deepened since the beginning of this course and I have now more regard for the importance of effective communication. I have learnt that using the correct method of speaking, writing and other forms of communication can not only achieve what we want but also may be able to bring us things we do not expect. For instance, immeasurable things like human emotions and relationships may be put on better ground when miscommunication is eliminated when the message is put across clearly. The most vital skill I learnt in this module is the importance of using simple language to get the message so that it is easily understandable by many.

During the course, I felt there could have been more initiative on my part to interact with my classmates and communication with my group members. Both my group members are not locals and I believe this resulted in some communication difficulties and we had to put in a lot of effort in trying to explain to each other our ideas and opinions. This provided an excellent learning ground as in the workplace there are different kinds of people with different background and we would have to learn to understand each other.

The opening of the presentation I felt was not exceptional but there was introduction of the group members with a clear outline of the whole presentation at the start. It had a clear macrostructure and presented the relevant data for the project. However, the presentation I felt was logical but the data was not analysed in-depth or information inferred adequately. The information we derived from the survey could have been put to greater use. The slides were simple and easily readable although some had too much information which made the audience not able to keep up with reading the slides. I think our group tried our very best to present the best answer to the question and answer and time was controlled relatively well.

For the individual part, I felt I did not engaging the audience and there was little or no eye contact because of nervousness and was looking at the screen instead of the audience. As the presentation progresses, I felt more comfortable and gave more eye contact and showed more confidence. I think overall the group was rather unprepared because we did not have time to meet up and rehearse before the actual presentation. However, I believe each of us as an individual did our best in preparing for our part which made the presentation somewhat effective.

Candice is a final year mechanical engineering student from the National University of Singapore. She chose to read this course because of her strong passion for mathematics and physics. Throughout the four years at NUS, the course has trained her with the technical skills and knowledge to understand and handle various technical-related aspects that are vital for the engineering industry. Moreover, due to the nature of the course, it has also provided her with the analytical skills essential for this industry and many others.

During these four years, Candice also participated in many extra-curricular activities. These activities helped her gain insights into working with people of various personalities. For instance, marketing for the Sheares Hall Dinner and Dance Committee gave her the chance to speak with marketing managers during the course of looking for sponsorship. Being a member of the Voluntary Corps at Sheares Hall also gave her a chance to interact with the less fortunate children and other volunteers, allowing her to have the opportunity to get in touch with people from another totally different background. Taking up the role of the treasurer in the NUSIS organizing committee has also trained her management skills to be able to manage the budget of a committee. All these experiences allowed her to sharpen her interpersonal and management skills and adapt and learn to communicate effectively in the working environment.

Candice is fluent in English and Mandarin and dialects, Teochew and Hokkien. She is also able to speak basic Japanese with her JLPT 3 qualification. Candice is also proficient in Microsoft office software and Solidworks and Fluent, a CFD software.

It was another evening after dinner at Clementi Town Centre. I was sitting in the car with my parents, waiting for the car to exit the crowded carpark when suddenly we heard a bang and felt a jerk. The car behind had hit ours.

My parents and I got off the car and I watched as an angry man in his thirties walked towards us. My dad stood beside his car and bent over to check the bumper. Shortly after, he stood upright and said, “There’s no damage I can see so far but I’ll send it to the workshop just in case,” Before my dad could finish speaking, the man cut in and started becoming very defensive. Very soon, he was raising his voice, speaking and pointing right in my dad’s face.

I was overwhelmed with anger at that and walk up to him and exclaimed “Don’t you dare speak to my father like that!” He turned to face me and retorted “Young lady, when adults are talking…” but I did not bother to catch what he said after that. My mum pulled me away and I kept quiet after that to let my dad handle the situation. He told the man that there was nothing to get worked up about. They will just have to exchange contact details and if there were any damages they will just settle it and that was it.

After much talk, he finally seemed calmer. However, just before leaving, he turned to me and said “Young lady, we’re all civilized people…” Again, I did not bother to listen to what he was saying so I rolled my eyes and walked away. “Look who’s talking about being civilized…” I thought to myself.

I admit that I did not handle the situation in a professional, matured manner or use any emotional intelligence at all when confronting the man. Being the protective person I am, it was not easy for me to control my emotions under this circumstances, I simply let emotions get the better of me. I admired my dad for not succumbing to his emotions. I believe my dad could have raised his voice as well and things could turn ugly, possibly leading to a fight. If you were me, how would you have reacted? What would be the best way to deal with this situation?

How many times have you been pushed aside when attempting to alight from an elevator or train by those who are attempting to board? This is probably how the term “kiasu” describing Singaporeans came about. It can be so heartwarming when once in a blue moon you come across people who allow you to alight before boarding. This makes the necessary everyday task so much more pleasant and efficient. Although Singapore is moving towards that direction and there has been much improvement throughout the years, it is still unavoidable to meet with occasional encounters of such inconsiderate and uncouth acts.

This made my experience in Japan very enlightening. On the train platform, people queued in two rows at the point where the train door would open, demarcated by yellow lines on the platform floor. There was no station staff around to ensure that people queued but everyone was doing the same thing. When the train came to a stop, the row of twos split into two single files, one on the left and one on the right. This allowed the people on board to disembark before boarding the train in an orderly fashion. There was no pushing or elbowing whatsoever, everything was done in a controlled manner. Except for the mad rush during peak hour where everyone would be packed and squeezed into the trains, the whole process was pleasant and efficient.

This could probably be attributed to the Japanese culture and the values with which they have been inculcated since young, for which it is essential to be considerate and polite, and to respect each other. For instance, there are very few rubbish bins around the city in Japan but there is almost no litter around. When you knock into a person on the street, even if you are at fault, most Japanese will turn around and say “sumimasen” instead of giving you the hard stare (which would probably be the case in Singapore).

This politeness and respect they have for each other would probably translate into a friendlier environment, resulting in a more cohesive society that would be very enjoyable to reside in.

The style of writing used here is formal although it exhibits a tinge of impoliteness as the writer presents unhappiness in his writing because his last two letters were ignored, and his problem is still unresolved.

In the second paragraph, it would have been more effective in convincing the reader to take immediate action by first giving praises to the organisation for its “good reputation and capability” and then stating the problem and what is required to be done. This way, the reader would be motivated to solve the problem for the writer to maintain its good reputation.

In the last paragraph, the first sentence could have been presented in a less threatening way where it did not seem like it was openly attacking the reader. Formal language was not used (I hope to hear from you soon so I don’t have to take this dire step…) in the last paragraph although the letter was generally written in formal language.

The description used in this letter was apt as it described the problem as well as the current situation clearly. It gives the reader a clear picture of what happened and what is needed to be done. The writer also listed clearly the items that were missing in the kit which displayed concreteness and completeness on his part. However, the writing was not concise enough as there were redundant and repetitive information.

All in all, both the situation and the reason for writing the letter were laid out clearly in this letter despite the minor errors in the language used.

4 February 2008

 

Dear Sir:

 

This is the occasion of the third time I have written to you about a kit model number 394-C that I ordered on January 6 and subsequently it came to my attention that several of the components were in absentia.

 

My first two letters which outlined the problem in minute details were not answered, although I sincerely requested prompt service. The missing parts, as noted previously, are two wing-nut bolts, six brass screws and a lock-wedge, which the man at the local hardware store has never heard of. Notwithstanding the fact that I have already lost three precious weeks because of your policy of refusing customer complaints and your failure to answer my previous letters, I would appreciate having the missing parts without even further delay so I don’t suffer the loss of even more wasted time. The components are insignificant in monetary value, but without them I cannot implement the directions and conclude the project.

 

If this letter is also ignored like the last two, I shall feel forced to make formal complaint to the Head Office in order to get the restitution I deserve. I hope to hear from you soon so I don’t have to take this dire step, and trust that you will demonstrate your good faith by communicating with me at once.

 

Sincerely yours,

George Lee

It happened on the seventh day of our tour in Japan. We had already covered all the places on our itinerary except for Yokohama and were left with one last day to use our Rail Pass. My dad asked at dinner the night before if we still had any places in mind to go besides Yokohama (Yokohama was near Tokyo where we were staying and to maximize the benefit of the pass we should travel as far as possible). No one responded. After surfing the internet till late that night, my dad and I found Nagano to be a beautiful serene place and decided to explore it.

 

In the morning, we told my mum and brother that we were going to visit Nagano. Both of them were shocked. My mum never said anything but my brother kept asking why we wanted to go there and expressed no interest in that destination. At breakfast, he refused to eat, giving the reason that he was just not hungry.

 

My dad felt that my brother was just throwing tantrums. He was very upset with the lack of cooperation and began talking about how much he spent on the trip, the effort he put into the planning and he expected at least some cooperation and appreciation if no help was to be given. My brother refuted saying that he did help to look for maps and directions and that his effort was unappreciated too. He simply refused to apologize, the reason being he was not informed of the change of plan. As a member of the tour group, he felt that he should have been consulted or told beforehand about the change in plan. He had thought all along that we were going to Yokohama that morning. Moreover, he was accused of not putting effort in the trip which he felt was very unfair.

 

After this quarrel, the two men in the family did not speak to each other for the rest of the day. Although they started speaking to each other again the day after, the issue was never resolved. It was just swept under the carpet and never mentioned again. If were to happen again, what would be the best thing for me to do and say to stop or prevent the cold war?

 

 

Communication is all about putting forward a message to get what we desire but it can be more often than not put forward in the wrong way, creating unnecessary misunderstandings. Communication is effective when it is being put forward in the most succinct, yet effective manner.

To me, it is pointless to have brilliantly ingenious ideas without the ability to share them with others by the most precise means. It will not only help achieve what we want in the most efficient way but also result in good feelings between people. Therefore, when communication is effective, misunderstandings will at the least be minimal or even nonexistent. It is important in building strong relationships with family, friends and colleagues as it will bring us closer to people around us when feelings and intentions are displayed in the most honest but least painful form. I remember having arguments with my parents and brother because of the lack of good communication. It once happened during an overseas trip and made a part of the trip somewhat unpleasant. With the use of effective communication and a little control over emotions, much unhappiness could have been avoided.

Another benefit that comes from effective communication which makes it so important is gaining self confidence. When we are able to put forth our thoughts and feelings and also to be able to relate to others, it helps in making things go the right way. This in turn, boosts our self confidence and will enable us to handle future events better. It will increase self-esteem and allow us to become more confident in dealing with people, as we are then able to exchange ideas more freely, effectively, and confidently. For myself, being able to convey my thoughts and ideas to family, friends and group mates has made me more confident in meeting new people and facing new situations in life. However, it is not always smooth sailing and when unhappiness arises, it serves as a learning point for me to improve the way I handle future similar scenarios.

Being able to communicate effectively is more essential in our lives than we actually realize. Thinking about how we can put a message across before it is actually been said would go a long way towards this end, and hence benefit both ourselves and others.