Blog Six: Perception & Communication

Perception and Communication

Perception

According to Positive Thinking Principles [online], perception is the process that occurs when your senses assess what is around you.

In the past I have made an initial snap judgment about a person when I first met them due to their appearance. When I was 15 I began my first job working in a pub-restaurant. When I met the Head Chef, Dave, a 6ft 3” built bald man covered in tattoos, I instantly made a judgment that Dave was a ‘thug’ like character and I assumed he would a very scary individual to work with. By the end of my first shift I realised I could have not been more wrong about him. He is extremely friendly, funny and has a heart bigger than anyone I know; there was absolutely nothing scary about him.

To avoid making another initial incorrect judgment about an individual in the future, I decided that I would not assume their character and personality due to what they looked like, and instead get to know them before creating a perception of them.

Communication

After reading Rebecca Clake’s How to… improve staff communication article in People’s Management Magazine (July 2010), I have identified three ways to help improve communication between the University and the students.

The article was written after the results from the CIPD employee outlook survey displayed results that fewer than half of the participants in the survey felt aware or informed about what was going on within the organisation or company they worked for. The article outlines a number of steps to avoid happening within organisations and to help promote communication.

1)Leaders Skills:

By ensuring that all individuals who have a lead role within the University have appropriate communication skills to deliver a range of different messages using a range of communication methods will help the University effectively communicate with their students. During the University’s recruitment process a communication assessment could take place to determine the skills of each potential employee. Existing employees could be offered communication development training in order to benefit themselves and therefore the organisation.

Employees of the University should have the confidence, and access to communicate with other employees within the organisation, this includes both individuals who are ranked higher than them and also the individuals who work below them. Face to face communication with other employees is important to ensure that any information being passed on is correct before it is repeated to the students within the University. 

It is also important for people working within the organisation to communicate between other departments to ensure that any messages or information is consistent throughout the whole organisation. By ensuring effective communication between employees and the organisation itself, it will help avoid confusion and make sure that any information delivered to students is accurate, and being passed on to the appropriate people who need to hear it. 

2) Technology

Technology has created the ability to communicate using a number of different methods including, email, telephone conversations, and text messaging. However not all of these methods of communication are always appropriate, it can depend on the message that is being delivered. 

Considering the most convenient and effective method of communication relevant and appropriate to the information being communicated could benefit the organisation and how effective general communication is. It could potentially help communication between lecturers and students, for example using mass email, this is quick and useful for certain information, however face to face communication is valued and should not be replaced by technology.

Using technology to communication in some instances and situations can be very effective and useful, however some messages and information should remain to be communicated face to face.

3) Student Choice

Creating opportunities for students to have their say is important within any University because it is vital that students feel valued, listen to and important within the organisation. Any opportunities created must be maintained, an example of giving students the chance to have their say would be by developing a student voice committee that is accessible for all students to deliver their opinions, concerns, or any questions they may have to members of the committee. The committee could then pass these on to the appropriate people within the University to ensure maximum potential of something being done.

Ensuring that students feel informed is also another important factor within the organisation. The University should effectively communicate any changes, or events that are coming up within the university. They should consider the topic being communicated and who needs to hear the information. They can then consider which method of communication should be used and also who is the most appropriate employee within the organisation to deliver the message to the students. For example, a quick update of a lecture room change could be sent from the lecturer by email to the students who need to be informed, however any more important changes or information about the University or the course students are enrolled on, should be delivered in a face to face meeting by a relevant individual.  

This is important to ensure that all students feel assured and informed by the individual communicating with them.

References:

Positive Thinking Principles. (ND) What is Perception [Online]. Available from: http://www.positive-thinking-principles.com/ {Assessed: Feb 2012}