Lorena Reyes-Retana Bremer

A01190485

Individual Practice: My interpersonal communication plan

1. Observe how you communicate and evaluate your behavior based on a self-diagnostics table.
Behavior Yes No
I seek adequate blocks of time to engage in X
peaceful dialogue to solve conflicts in a product
way
I usually communicate clearly, directly and X
respectfully with my bosses and/or directors
I usually communicate clearly, directly and X
respectfully with my co-workers
I usually listen carefully and respectfully to X
understand my managers and/or directors
I usually listen carefully and respectfully to X
understand my co-workers
At work meetings, I try to listen carefully, with X
understanding and respect for all involved.
I set aside periods of time to establish my goals X
and evaluate my performance
I dedicate sufficient time to establish goals and X
evaluate my collaborators’ performance
If I need to bring a matter to a colleague’s X
attention, I do so in a clear, direct, respectful way
I give positive recognition to my colleagues well X
done activities to motivate them to keep
improving
Total number answers 9 1

Interpretation of self-diagnosis result:

If more than 8 answers are checked “yes” it indicates excellent communication. In this case 9
answers are checked with “yes” which relates to coworkers and collaborators feeling motivated and
willing to keep improving, the organizations objectives are clear, and feedback is given to improve
performance.

2. After you’ve done the evaluation, make an analysis by answering the questions for reflection.
I. What positive behaviors could you identify in the way you communicate?
This self-diagnosis helped me identify some behaviors in the way I communicate. In the
positive side, I tend to be a respectful listener and a clear communicator. I give positive
recognition to my colleagues, and also feedback in a concrete and respectful way. I believe that
I’m an empathic listener and communicator which is a very important part of having great
dialogue.
 II. What behaviors of yours do you feel need improving?
In the other side of the equation, this self-diagnosis helped me observe how I tend to focus on
communicating well with others that I tend to forget to set aside periods of time to establish
my goals and evaluate my performance. I believe this is a great area of opportunity for me to
focus on.
III. How do you think your way of communicating affects people and results?
I believe that my way of communicating affects the people surrounding me, and when I listen
carefully and try to understand the views and ideas of others (empathize) it helps move along
the work in a smooth and effective way. When speaking respectfully and giving positive
feedback, motivation improves, and the work gets finished faster and better.
IV. What factors do you think influence the way you communicate with others?
I think external factors, like things we have in common and common goals influence the way
we communicate. Common factors make empathizing listening easier, and effortless. Another
factor that may influence is emotional state of everybody involved in the conversation, knowing
the persons you are talking to and understanding the emotions they are having helps prevent
miscommunication.
V. What conclusions can you make based on these observations that will allow you to
improve your communication as a leader, both in the work environment and in your
personal environment?
This analysis helped me conclude that a having great communication is not only about the way
you express yourself with others, but also involves focusing on establishing personal goals and
continue to evaluate your personal performance frequently. This applies both in the work
environment and in interpersonal relationships, because understanding your areas of
opportunities and looking for continuous improvement allows you to have great
communication in every area of your life.

3. After that analysis, choose at least one behavior that you think you can improve.
What I believe I can and should improve is to set aside periods of time to establish my goals and
evaluate my performance

4. Identify at least 3 concrete actions that you can do to improve the behavior you chose.
1) Start setting goals each trimester
2) Revising those goals and making adjustments each month
3) Evaluate my performance after finishing the trimester personally and also by asking the people
around me to get a better idea