Effective Interaction

Case
Shyam, a senior PM with Infosys, discovers a major error in the
module while reviewing it. He realizes that this is due to sheer
negligence on the part of the coder. As the entire group had worked
together and compiled the piece, he does not know who is
responsible for the mistake.
He calls for a team meeting. He demands to know who is answerable
for the error. The team members remain silent. Shyam is furious with
their attitude. We will sit here till somebody owns up. This is really
unprofessional he thunders. He rants and raves for another 20
minutes. He glares at his team and they fidget in discomfort and dart
nervous glances at each other. Yet they dont speak up.
Questions
1. Who is the speaker?
2. Who is the listener?
3. What are the roles played by the speaker and the listener?
4. What do you think is the purpose of the communication?
5. Has the communication met the objectives? Why? Why not?

 Interaction is a kind of action that occurs as two or more

objects have an effect upon one another. The idea of a
two-way effect is essential in the concept of interaction,
as opposed to a one-way causal effect (source Wikipedia)
Effective interaction is the heart of an organization. It
includes
a. the actual content of the message from the speaker to
the listener
b. the structure of the message given out
c. the way information is presented

Role
Listeners role:
Do check your assumptions to see if you're hearing
only what you want to hear
Dont be afraid to ask for clarification and thus get
more clarity.
Speakers role:
Do work to create a non-judgmental environment
where everyone has the liberty to ask questions
Dont assume that everyone interprets messages in
the same way as you do or that they should do
Give others the benefit of the doubt, regardless of your
role in conversations.

 When we are the communicators:

We must remember that audience-oriented
communication is free from too much or too little
information; it is accurate, brief, and clear.
When we are the audience:
We should be sympathetic to the communicator
Give him/her constant feedback.
We need to plan our professional communication
keeping our audience in mind.
We need to be alive to good and bad samples of
communication we come across in our daily routine.

Scenario 1
You are part of a 5 member team
working on a mini project as a part of
the college assignment. You feel that
a lot of work done by the team
members is duplication and there are
no defined targets for each of the
members. As a result you feel
frustrated and wants to have more
clarity regarding the objectives.

Scenario 2
You are a student representative of
your college and wish to promote
some activities related to green
initiative in your college. How best
are you going to get your ideas
across the Principal and the staff?

Scenario 3
Your friend has borrowed some
money from you and does not return
it on time. It seems he has forgotten
all about it. You are in need of some
cash urgently to pay your tuition fee
and you have to remind your friend
about his dues without hurting his
feelings.

Scenario 4
You realize that one of your friends
has a habit of opening your bag
without your permission. You feel the
necessity to make him understand
that you dont like her behavior.

Scenario 5
A group of your friends invite you for
a movie. You are so preoccupied that
you want to refuse and carry on with
your plans for the evening.

Scenario 6
You have scored less mark than you
expected for a particular subject.
Going through your answer paper
you find that your Professor has not
evaluated three of your answers. You
feel the need to approach your
professor and bring to his notice his
omission.