DATE:

January 26, 2016

TO:

Professor Robert Mitchell

FROM:

Harold Moses
BINS 7308

SUBJECT:

INTEGRATING A PEOPLE-/TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED COMMUNICATION STYLE TO

MAXIMIZE EFFECTIVENESS

My dominant communication preferences are action- and content-oriented. No need for improvement
in these areas. The evident benefits of the action-/content communication mix is that it is both resultsand process-driven. Its greatest drawbacks are that it minimizes the value of feedback from others and
makes communication cumbersome. My two weakest preferences are people- and technology-oriented
preferences, an audience whose contributions I need to leverage more fully. Because I have not been
tapping the resources of people- and technology-oriented communicators, my primary challenge is to
adopt a comprehensive communications strategy which involves people- and technology-oriented
communicators, who can provide valuable human and non-human input into our communications.

BASIS FOR THE ACTION

In identifying the strengths and weaknesses of my communication style, as was my charge from you in
our January 19 class meeting, I filled out the Communication Preferences Survey based on the way that I
communicated. In order of preference, first is action-oriented; second is content-oriented; third is
people-oriented; and, fourth is technology-oriented. The survey findings reveal that I have an equally
strong preference for both action- and content-oriented communication and a virtually equally weak
preference for both people- and technology-oriented communication and form the basis for my action
plan. Studies have shown that more than 85 percent of workplace success comes from people and
technical skills. These skills are developed through learning better ways to communicate and interact.
(See Proctor, C. 2014, Effective Organizational Communication Affects Employee Attitude, Happiness,
and Job Satisfaction, Unpublished Thesis).

RECOGNIZING THE STRENGTHS OF ACTION-/CONTENT-ORIENTED PREFERENCES

The strengths of using an action-/content-oriented communication style are that it is:

Objective in that it looks at all sides of an issue.

Precise in that it tests for clarity and understanding.
Efficient in that it quickly gets to the heart of the matter.
Informative in that it helps others focus on what is important.
Logical in that it welcomes complex and challenging information.
Focused in that it concentrates energy on understanding the task at hand.
Broad in that it encourages others to be organized, concise, and to support their ideas.

IDENTIFYING THE CHALLENGES OF ACTION-/CONTENT-ORIENTED MIX

The challenges of using only a mixture of action-/content-oriented communication are that one
must not:

Discount information from unknowns.

Ask blunt questions/appearing overly critical.
Intimidate others by asking pointed questions.
Take too long a time to make judgments/decisions.
Jump to conclusions quickly or finish the thoughts of speakers.
Be overly detail-oriented or impatient with rambling speakers.
Minimize relational issues and concerns or the value of non-technical information.

IMPLEMENTING AN INCLUSIVE ACTION PLAN

In order to maximize communication effectiveness, once this proposal is approved, I plan to:

Administer a Communication Preference Survey to all employees in order to identify their

communication habits, behaviors, and preferences.
Observe each employee in various work situations to confirm their preferences.

Next, I will make it a part of my daily work routine when interacting with each employee to:

Be a good listener by giving speakers my undivided attention.

Reply to emails as promptly as possible or within 24 hours maximum.
Utilize available technology when face-to-face meetings are unnecessary.
Show employee that I care by asking for feedback and meeting informally.
Make agendas available before meetings and schedule them only when necessary.
Smile more often in both formal and informal settings to communicate confidence.
Provide the big picture by reminding employees how their work affects the organization as a
whole.