Effective Communication Exercise and Analysis

Begin by identifying an issue about which you and another person have differing opinions or
perspectives. The other person may be a co-worker, friend, partner, or spouse. It can be helpful
to choose a dialogue partner with whom you feel comfortable seeking feedback after you have
completed your conversation.
Arrange to discuss the issue with the other person and take this opportunity to exercise
heightened awareness of your communication strengths and areas for growth. Listen to what you
are saying and how you are saying it.
During the discussion, your goal is to come to understand the other persons perspective and to
effectively convey your own point of view. You do not need to reach a resolution of the issue.
After you have completed your discussion, analyze your use of each of the following
communication skills:
open-ended questions
direct facilitative questions
paraphrasing
perception checks
I-messages
clear, descriptive language
communication of ideas, feelings, and wants
If you were able to receive some concrete feedback from your dialogue partner, include this in
your assignment. Based on what you learn, identify skill areas that you would like to focus on to
strengthen your communication skills as a manager. Indicate how you will go about
strengthening these skills.
Summarize your analysis in 46 typed pages, double-spaced, and submit it through Blackboard.
You do not need a transcript of your conversation. Page count does not include the cover page,
executive summary, or reference pages.
The best approach to this paper is as follows:
Identify the issue.
For each communication skill, provide an academic reference describing the skill.
Describe how you used (or did not use the skill) and its effectiveness. It may have not
been effective, partially effective, or very effective. This does not matter as much as your
analysis.
Identify at least three skills you would like to focus on to improve your communication
and identify how you will strengthen these skills.

assignment/paper should contain the following elements:
Title page – The title page should include the assignment title and number, course name
and number, instructors name, students name, and the date when the assignment was
completed (as per the APA Style Guide).
HSAD 305 Assignment 1 Page 4
Headers or footers – The header or footer should contain the course number, assignment
number, students name, and the page number.
Executive summary – The executive summary is written after you complete your paper
but, in the document, it appears after the title page and before the paper.
Introduction to the paper
Main body of the paper, organized by headings
Conclusions or recommendations
References for all materials used, including textbooks, readings, course modules, and
electronic resources
Appendices as applicable

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