Effective Communication

Written communication tends to be more formal than other methods of communication because it:

• is always used by knowledgeable people.

• allows individuals to organize their thoughts meaningfully.

• is always composed of facts, not opinions.

• is the preferred method of communication for all jobs.

Which of the following is an example of courtesy in communication?

• Holding the door for a stranger

• Asking your grandfather out to lunch

• Being respectful of the receiver’s culture

• Texting your friend “happy birthday!”

Being complete in communication means:

• excluding personal opinion and including only facts.

• telling the receiver only the bare minimum.

• explaining things that the receiver already knows.

• including everything that is necessary to understand the message.

Being correct in communication means:

• being politically correct at all times during the interaction.

• only saying things that you’re absolutely sure about.

• excluding anything that may be considered offensive.

• using correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax.

Which of the following statements is true?

• Communication requires at least one person

• People rarely make mistakes when communicating

• Communication is a two-way process

• Employers don’t really value communication skills

Communicating positively with individuals who are different from you can provide you with:

• reinforced stereotypes and generalizations.

• automatic understanding of other cultures.

• feelings of distrust towards other people.

• new perspectives and ideas about life.

Paying attention to a speaker involves making eye contact, putting aside distracting thoughts, and:

• focusing on the speaker’s clothing.

• taking note of the speaker’s body language.

• writing down questions to ask the speaker.

• preparing responses to the speaker’s comments.

Communication skills are crucial for your success as an employee because:

• otherwise you will not make any friends at work.

• nearly every job requires communicating with other people.

• employers want workers who will blindly follow instructions.

• most jobs today require mostly independent work.

Which of the following is an example of a sender-created barrier to effective communication?

• Forgetting to respond to a written message

• Using a communication method inappropriately

• Failing to engage in active listening

• Failing to complete a requested follow-up action

Which of the following barriers to effective communication can arise before an interaction even begins?

• Stereotypes and generalizations

• Poor nonverbal communication

• Incorrect grammar or syntax

• Inappropriate use of touch