Communication Technology and Psychological Well-Being - Essay Example

Essay Questions The two mantras that I believe to particularly important: "No risk, no gain" and "Life is like a roller coaster". Clearly explain what each of them means. Present a specific communication-related example of how you have used each mantra productively now. Also present a specific, communication-related example of how you think you might use each mantra productively in the future The mantra of “no risk, no gain” means that if an individual does not take any form of risk, he would not be able to earn anything of value. It would mean that he will not be able to turn a new leaf within his repertoire and hence his success is not guaranteed. “Life is like a roller coaster” means that life has twists and turns within it and it is not easy to understand the different life events. I have used “no risk, no gain” when I told one of my subordinates to be more liberal within her approach towards work. I told her specifically to take risks so that she could become more serious about her work tasks. The mantra of “life is a roller coaster” seems applicable in my case when I have used it with my friend who was not able to understand how life can be so bad with him. He tried to understand how he could have failed the exams that he was supposed to pass. In the future, I would be able to use these mantras productively if I ascertain the exact manner in which their role becomes magnified. This is so done through an understanding of the different life events, as and when they shape up. I would find out the true meaning of these mantras if I make their proper usage because this is deemed as very significant at the end of the day. Hence the mantras represent their own meanings and should be understood as such. 2. How do you stop a Run away horse? Name, define and explain the three strategies which dont work and the one strategy which does work. Provide a specific example of a "runaway horse" situation in your own real life. Explain how you (or could you have used) each of the three strategies which dont work and what the results of using each strategy was (or would have been). Explain how you used (or could have used) the strategy which works and what the results of using these strategy were (or would have been) Stopping a runaway horse is indeed a difficult thing to do, and more so within the reins of changing workplace scenarios. These three strategies which would not work include abandonment, acceptance and manipulation. The strategies which do not work in the wake of the runaway horse include the fact that they are given more room to expand their basis and thus lead the company from the front. The other strategy that is employed but does not work at all for their sake is to make them sit at important positions within the office environments. Lastly the strategy that is made use of and still does not work at all is that of finding more subordinates or peers to work along side them so that they can feel comfortable about the same steps by the organization. However these three strategies remain as failures and the runaway horse finds a new ground where it can start again. The strategy which does work however is that of a better pay or salary that is given to this individual who could later on be remarked as the runaway horse. In my own life, I switched companies when I found a golden opportunity up my sleeves. I cashed in on the chance because it gave me a better future and a career to long for. I would have used these strategies (abandonment, acceptance and manipulation) to good effect by having everything in writing and making use of the important pointers within their realms to extract the best possible returns for my professional commitments. Also I would have made use of the strategy that worked by asking for more remuneration so that the organization allots me a better package at the end of the day. The results would have been much better had I made use of this strategy than most of the people would employ in their respective cases. 3. Select one relationship which is important to you in your life: a family member, a friend, a co-worker or boss or subordinate. Describe both the communicating and the communication of the relationship. Which of the 7 Cs of communication: context, content, clarity, caring, choice, control, completion--are generally presented in that relationship? Which are generally absent? What can/should you do to promote deeper and more rewarding communication in this relationship? Be specific, not general. One relationship that is immensely significant to me is that of my father. He has been a source of inspiration for me ever since I was born. He was passed me through thick and thin with consummate ease. The communication between me and my father has always been very easy going and informal. I have never had a moment when I felt I had some form of communication barrier with him. In my relationship with my father, the 7 Cs of communication have been met on more than one occasion. The context between our discussions has been very reasonable as we know exactly what we talk about. Also the content that bases our communication has always been filled with a number of different topics and details. There is absolute clarity between our domains of communication and the care element is also apparent. The choice, control and completion tenets are properly met and in an adequate manner these are represented through both me as well as my father (Sawang, 2010). I believe none of the 7 Cs seems to be a missing link within the relationship that I have with my father. In order to have a more deeper and rewarding communication between me and my father, we need to work upon the clarity aspect more because since he is aging, he has to cope up with hearing loss and thus does not get my message at times. However he deciphers them in a proper way which is something interesting to note on my part. 4. Think back across the ICE experiences (Watching a 30 minute film in a language that you dont speak, had dinner in a cruise you havent tried before, spent an hour at a holocaust museum, and take a class that you were unfamiliar with), what have you learned about the other cultures, and especially about yourself--from these experiences. Imagine the class was going to continue for another two months, and what you were going to do one additional intercultural experience in each of those months. What experiences would you select, and why? What would you hope to learn from those experiences? What do you think you would learn from them? I have learnt from other cultures that I need to give the other people around me a chance to showcase who they really are and what they bring to the fore. I need to understand their nuances and thus get acquainted with their changing needs and requirements. This is needed because I am undergoing a cultural change of sorts on nearly all occasions. I am undertaking efforts and endeavors to make sure that I befriend people who hail from different areas of the world, and who essentially have something unique to offer me in essence. I have learned about myself that I am very open to people who are from distinctive backgrounds as they have much to offer towards my learning and development. Many experiences have shaped up my beliefs and understandings over the years, and this is something that remains very significant to me. Another intercultural experience that I would like to indulge within is learning someone else’s language and how he/she makes use of this language in his/her native way. The experience of being completely at ease with one’s own language is something that will teach me a great deal about the culture under consideration. I hope to learn some new things, phrases and more than anything else the novel expressions and elements of nonverbal communication. I would learn immensely significant pointers from such discussions because these are the need of the hour, and would help me to get acquainted with the varying requirements of the culture nonetheless. 5. Two of the ten commandments of communication: be appropriate, and tell the truth. Clearly explain what each of them means. Present a specific, communication-related example of how you have used each these commandments productively now. Also present a specific communication-related example of how you think you might use each commandment productively in the future. Being appropriate means that one needs to understand the context and then delve deep into the content of the communication regimes. Telling the truth would mean how to become honest in one’s dealings and especially when it comes to the spoken word and speech. I have made use of being appropriate within my communication with my workplace colleagues as I have learned how to tell them the exact meaning of certain commands that I have given to them. Also I have made use of telling the truth by being honest with my father about the undertakings that I have done or committed in the past or will do so in the coming times. In the future, I shall make use of being appropriate by dictating my colleagues the exact role of such a nuance because it will instill in them a sense of confidence and proactive-ness that I am looking forward to having. Also telling the truth would be direly required when I am in touch with my father because I know he thinks positively about me all the time and it would be foolish to lie with him at any instance whatsoever. These communication-related examples suggest the use of being appropriate and telling truth under different circumstances yet the usage of such nuances are easily discernible and indeed needed within this day and age in all our undertakings and actions. Works Cited Sawang, Sukanlaya. Engagement with Information and Communication Technology and Psychological Well-being. Research in Occupational Stress and Well-being, 8, 2010 Read More