Professional Practice in IT - Essay Example

Professional Practice in IT - Critical Reflection Journal Lecturer: Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal communication is a significant aspect of the IT industry as it involves the process through which information exchange is accomplished between two or more people. It encompasses face-to-face contact whereby verbal and non-verbal communication may be used to convey different messages depending on the circumstances. Apart from the contents of the messages, the manner in which they are presented is significant in interpersonal communication. For example the tone might be welcoming, accommodative, threatening or frightening. Facial expressions, gesticulations are important non-verbal cues that signify the nature of the message. Pictorial representations can be used to portray the mood of a particular occasion, such as sad or tearful faces that suggest unhappiness (Baxter & Braithwaite, 2008). Interpersonal communication is used regularly and is measured by how well a person communicates with others. In the IT industry, it is used to give out and also gather information. For example, mass media professionals make efforts to acquire as much information as possible, which influences the audiences and readers depending on the manner in which it is presented. Interpersonal communication controls the attitudes and conducts of others and is the reason why I have been able to develop contacts and retain relationships. It helps to develop sense with regards to the world and our involvements in it. Without inter-personal communication, it would be difficult for a person to express individual needs and appreciate the desires of others. It is also important in offering and receiving emotional support as well as decision making and problem solving (Canary et al. 2008). Through interpersonal communication, people are able to predict the behaviour of others, such as by looking at their facial expressions we can tell whether they are likely to react with anger. The advent of IT revolutionised the channels of communication whereby currently individuals have a wide range of options that they can use for inter-personal communication to take place. Video calls and conferencing facilitate the use of vision and speech. These are important interpersonal communication channels enabling people to conduct business with others anywhere in the world. For example, I have been communicating with peers in many countries through skype where we exchange information just like we were together despite the distance. Successful recruitment by potential employers also depends on successful interpersonal communication whereby the candidate is able to express his/her capabilities through verbal and facial expressions that convince the interviewing panel to pick him/her. It helps to support academic credentials, which is an important basis for recruiters to separate individuals possessing similar qualifications (Baxter & Braithwaite, 2008). Persuasive communication Persuasion ability is an important aspect in a person’s daily endeavours as it helps to convince others to accept his/her thoughts and suggestions. Leadership in the IT industry requires persuasion capabilities to progress personal ambitions for innovation. There are new inventions entering in to the industry and it is important for the inventors to persuade players in the industry to adopt the new technologies for better performance and profitability. Employers also have a difficult task of convincing skilled IT professionals to remain in their companies faced with a rising demand for IT skills and rival companies that are willing to offer better remuneration. Economies globally are also facing momentous brain drain in the IT sector as a result of professionals seeking greener pastures. There is need for such economies to win the support of professionals through effective persuasion that will help to unify and encourage them to innovate within their country (Zuwerink & Cameron, 2003). For effective persuasion to take place, there are several conditions that need to be fulfilled. First, it is important for the persuader to understand the audience so as to address their specific needs, beliefs and wishes. This helps to develop a connection that develops a notion among the audience that the speaker is somehow comparable to them either in terms of social status, abilities or profession among other aspects. Addressing matters of importance to the audience enhances the audience’s receptiveness and success of persuasion. Whenever I intend to persuade people to do something, I ensure that they have undivided attention on what I am saying. This is accomplished by showing them why listening to my proposition is worth their time. I always begin with a sketch that demonstrates the importance of what I am going to say to them, for example the expected benefits for each of them (Beebe & Masterson, 2008). Developing credibility and authority is important as it enhances the audience’s receptiveness. I achieve this through making known to my audience the proficiency that I have, which surpass their abilities, for example demonstrating adeptness in a new idea that no one among us has tried before. Ensuring that the message is tailored to suit the medium is important as it allows the audience to effectively interpret the message and understand it. For example, it is necessary to switch between writing and speech when dealing with an issue involving figures to avoid confusion. This also involves the use of non-verbal cues to develop personal connection to the listeners. Behaviour and appearance significantly affect the persuasion capacity. Posture and body movements portray the persuader’s capability, for example fidgeting a lot may be interpreted as lack of confidence and uncertainty (Zuwerink & Cameron, 2003). Negotiating Negotiation is a significant component in communication that is commonly used to solve misunderstandings between people. It allows people to reach a middle ground while eluding squabbles. Whenever people disagree, every person aims to attain the greatest probable outcome for his/her side. Nevertheless, the doctrines of objectivity, quest for shared benefit and upholding a relationship are significant for a positive outcome. In the IT industry, different forms of negotiations are applied in various situations, for example copyright disputes, tendering processes as well as partnerships. Successful negotiation entails a step by step process aimed at maintaining inclusiveness of all parties involved. It requires adequate preparations to establish the people that need to be involved as well as the venue where a meeting will be held. Preparation allows analysis of the situation to establish the facts to escape time wasting and further disagreements during the meeting. Successful negotiations require parties to approach discussions with a positive attitude. They also need to be knowledgeable with regards to the matters being discussed. Interpersonal skills are also necessary to enhance development of personal connections between the parties involved in the negotiation (McKay et al. 2009). Discussion during the meeting involves the parties in the discussion presenting the situation in their own point of view. Effective listening is necessary as it helps to ensure that every person involved in the negotiation understands the issue at hand. Questions are necessary for clarifications but I always try to avoid intrusive questions no matter the level of misunderstanding by others. Recording all the points raised by the participants in the negotiation is necessary for reference in case further clarification is needed. All parties involved in the negotiation need to be allowed to clarify objectives, interests and standpoint, which is necessary in the efforts to establish a common ground. It is important to focus on the accomplishment of a win-win ending whereby all parties emerge feeling that they have benefited from the negotiation and that their opinion has been deliberated in the process. Nevertheless, a win-win situation may not be realized in all negotiations and therefore the parties involved need to be ready for compromise. Remaining fixated with the original position does not help in the negotiation process. Consideration for the views and interests of the parties involved helps to facilitate agreement. I always approach negotiations with an open mind, which is necessary for the accomplishment of a satisfactory resolution. The eventual agreement needs to be communicated effectively to all parties to ensure awareness regarding the decision reached. The decision needs to be followed by the implementation of a course of action that will operationalise it. Since not all negotiation processes are successful, it is important to re-schedule further consultations in future to avoid fiery debates that apart from time wasting may destroy future relationships (Harris & Sanborn, 2014). References Beebe, S. A., & Masterson, J. T. (2008). Communicating in small groups: Principles and practices. 9th ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Baxter, L. A., & Braithwaite, D. (2008). Engaging theories in interpersonal communication: Multiple perspectives. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. Canary, J., Cody, M. & Manusov, V. (2008). Interpersonal communication: A goals-based approach. 4th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. Harris, R. J. & Sanborn, F.W. (2014), A cognitive psychology of mass communication, 6th edition. New York: Routledge Press. McKay, M., Davis, M. & Fanning, P. (2009), Messages: The Communication Skills Book, New Harbinger Publications. Zuwerink, J. & Cameron, K. (2003). “Strategies for resisting persuasion”. Basic and Applied Social Psychology 25.2: 145–161. Read More