The Closure - Final Comments

Dear Friends,

It had been an incredible journey for me, and I’m sure it was the same for all of you too. This would be my final blog post, and I thank every single one of you for visiting and commenting on my blog. I appreciate it =)

Before I reluctantly bring this blog to an end, here is what I have to say to your comments on my last post:



 
Kevin: I am very fortunate to be able to work with you for the past semester, with you as the team leader; I knew that our team was always on the right track. You were focus, responsible and goal-oriented – Certainly a one of the best team leaders I have met!

You were right to point out that being a leader in the CELC project group, and a member in CG1102 group had exposed me to both sides of the story. As a result, I am aware of the concerns of both the leader and the member. It made me realise the difficulties of managing a group, whilst ensuring that all tasks were executed successfully. This was the impetus for me to be more proactive in the CG1102 group. Thus, I feel that you should try to go through the role of a member in a team, and understand the mentality of being one. I have learnt much from these experiences, and felt that I have became more responsible and more ‘useful’ as a team member.

It’s been a fruitful and enriching semester. Without a doubt, it would be a privilege to work with you in the future again! =)


 
Junius: Yes indeed, the 7Cs are indeed useful in our everyday lives. However, I feel that the 7Cs are not something that should be memorized like scientific theories and concepts. Rather, it is more akin to a framework that we can work in. Have them ingrained in our minds, which is similar to using the right vocabulary or sentence structure in our writings/speech, and we will definitely improve in the long run. Do continue to practise writing (in your case, formal letters). A module on effective team communication can only teach us that much, but it is up to you to build up on this foundation.

All the best for your exams!

 
Lakshmi: Thanks for your compliments, I am flattered by them!

Well, I always believe that there are always room for improvements, which is why I am never satisfied. Isn’t this human nature to think of it this way? This could also be a greater motivation for us to outdo ourselves. Thus, I should be ashamed of myself by believing that I have done well, when I had actually not. Ms Goh commented that I had poor time management, and I was a tad impolite/ sensitive at certain points of the presentation. I was appalled, but was determined to do better. Unfortunately, I had no other opportunities to do so.

Perhaps, in the next semester, I will.

It has been wonderful knowing you, and all the best!


Jing Mei: Thank you for your comments! I love little animals, and it’s great that you like the pictures too. (Wished I have a few as pets!)

Frankly, stuttering had been a longstanding problem of mine. However, getting many opportunities to stand in front of a crowd to present made me more aware of this problem. I have reminded myself time and time again to be more confident. I believe that compared to the past, I have bettered myself. Therefore, in terms of the greatest takeaway I have gotten from this module, was that I have become a better speaker. I felt more comfortable voicing out my opinions in class, and speaking more coherently.

Heading out to work in the future entails not only the technical skills, but also the soft skills we learn (like the 7Cs in CG1413). How else do we differentiate ourselves from the others? By working on these soft skills, and outshine the others as better team communicators!

I do hope that we will get to work as a team next time too! In any case, only time will tell :P


Khoa: Thanks for your comments! CG1413 has really taught us many useful skills. Having so many projects, reflections, blog entries to do was taxing on us. But more often than not, we learn more effectively in a stressful environment. After going through these 12 weeks, I really felt that I have achieved a lot, much more than I can ever imagined. And it is this sense of satisfaction and achievement that will propel me forward, and put all the things I’ve learnt into practice.

I realized the importance of effective team communication, and am resolved to make the most out of this module.

I would like to thank everyone once again for the support and guidance you have rendered. Without your feedback and comments, I would not have been able to achieve these much.

This what I call, effective communication, and effective team work.

Till we meet again! =)

The Never Ending Journey - Effective Communication

Intensive and enriching.

This was how CG1413 had panned out to be. A module so unlike the others, we were given ample opportunities to develop our communication skills.

The pinnacle of this module would have to be working as a team.

Prior to this module, I have always been reserved and to a certain extent, aloof. Working as a team was always marked by disdain. Yet, recognizing the importance of teamwork not only in CEG, but also in the corporate world, I did my best to keep an open mind and learn.

What I've Learnt

On a personal level, bearing in mind the 7Cs, coupled with writing techniques picked up, I had cultivated the habit of writing formal letters/emails more concisely. Utilizing the principles of effective communication, I had not only become a better writer, but also one who could express my ideas and convey my messages succinctly.

Teamwork

Teamwork is unquantifiable. Through this semester, I have learnt to respect others better. I used to be blunt, direct and to a certain extent, self-centred.  With team collaboration becoming increasingly important, I was compelled to be more level-headed and tactful.

Additionally, I was given an opportunity to lead my team. Being a leader is a different ball game altogether. Carrying the responsibilities of knowing the team’s objectives, progress etc, it was a somewhat arduous task for someone who has been so reliant on others. Ultimately, it was fulfilling and rewarding to see my team through the stages of the project (CELC Project).

CG1102+CG1413 Project

With teams that consisted of people of diverse backgrounds and cultures, it was imperative for us to  communicate effectively with the others. As a student who hardly interacted with foreigners previously, I found the lessons invaluable and informative. This had allowed me to communicate with my teammates more effectively whilst avoiding conflicts.

Shortcomings

Despite improvements, I have to admit that I still fell short of expectations. Evidently, I had difficulty organizing my thoughts during presentations. I could not reach the level of eloquence and fluency expected of an effective communicator. During oral defence, I exposed my flaws in critical thinking and substantiation of arguments. However, these are things which I am determined to work on beyond this module.

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Rome was not built in a day. Similarly, you would not expect a person to transform into an effective communicator in a semester. It takes consistent practices and discipline to achieve that. Nonetheless, CG1413 has been the perfect platform for us to hone our leadership skills, speak confidently, think critically, and present constructive comments through the many presentations, blog posts and reflections.

It had been a reinvigorating and refreshing change to the humdrum drudgery of school.

Finally, I would like to thank Ms Goh, for all her teachings and guidance throughout this semester!



On to something light and cute!

 Why? Even animals work as a team!


Cheers! =)
-Justin

My Replies to your Comments on Oral Presentation 2!

Inspired by Kevin’s method of response for the comments, I have decided to post a new entry to sum up all your invaluable comments!

Kevin: Thanks for your compliments! As our group had chosen to do a less technical topic, we had the luxury of presenting our problem and solution in a more casual way (without compromising our content of course). We had a minimalist approach, yet seek to be impactful. Hopefully we had succeeded in doing so. I feel however, that I may have let my group down with my slightly nervy display. As the first speaker, I had the responsibility of bringing the presentation to a certain standard. Having a greater expectation of myself, that perhaps gave me unnecessary pressures to do well. For the final oral defense, I would want to learn from this experience, and more importantly, keep my composure when presenting.

Khoa: You were right to point out my team’s time management problems. We were already concerned right from the beginning, the possibility of exceeding the time limit allocated for the presentation. We took great pains to sieve out important points required/what we feel is necessary. Eventually, my portion of the presentation was still a tad too long; however, I feel that it was already a good improvement from the initial plan. No presentation is perfect, therefore, time management definitely feature high in my priority list for the oral defense!


Jing Mei: I apologize if my criteria seemed redundant in my reflection. It is of no intent of mine to post criteria solely for the sake of doing so. Perhaps, it is due to my indirect references to the criteria that caused the confusion. But to clear the air regarding the criteria I have set out to complete, I believe I have succeeded in accomplishing 4 out 6 of them. The only two which requires more improvements are: time management and maintaining a professional demeanour. I admit these were lacking in the presentation, and I would strive to improve them for the oral defense. Thank you for pointing that out to me!


Ganesh: You and Xiangyu were great teammates; I really enjoyed working with you guys! Without good team mates for support, no team would be able to survive. So to be able to produce a respectable presentation that was able to capture the audience attention, and convince them of the severity of the problem, I think it was simply amazing. Kudos to both of you for all the hard work put in.
As for my individual shortcomings, I did realize my stuttering in the middle of the presentation. Fortunately, I did not allow that nervousness to overwhelm myself. Nervousness does not necessarily stem from a lack rehearsals; sometimes it is just a psychological barrier in our minds. I guess, being psyched up and generally, having the positive attitude before the presentation should do the trick.

Junius: Somehow, I had overlooked the fact that certain things I mentioned during the presentation could invoke negative feelings in the audience. On hindsight, I should have been more sensitive over my choice of words. I really have to thank you for that, as I sometimes appear rather tactless and over-the-top. I would certainly bear that in mind in the future =)

Lakshmi: Thank you for your compliments. I often have high expectations of myself and would find it hard to accept trivial mistakes, to the extent of exaggerating them. Therefore, I get a better gauge of my performance from your comments. Words from a different perspective are often better indicators of one’s performance. I appreciate that!

Jun Hao: Thanks for your comments! (First comment from you!) I tried my best to vary the tone of my voice, and also to employ the use of emphasis at important segments of my presentation. It was probably insufficient or perhaps exaggerated at times. Without the emphasis, some points could simply be neglected by the audiences, therefore leading to a presentation that fails to deliver. Actually, being impactful in a presentation is not easy, especially for a reserved person like me. Nevertheless, I would strive to improve on this aspect and present the best that I could for the upcoming oral defense (that’s the point of this module anyway =p)


Thank you everyone for your comments. These comments have really helped in my self-evaluation and reflection. Keep them coming!

Oral Presentation 2 - Privacy Woes In Social Networking Sites - Reflections

Criteria:

 •    Impactful
 •    Engaging (includes eye contact and stage presence)
 •    Informative
 •    Professional demeanour
 •    Exhibit confidence
 •    Good time-management

Suffice to say, OP2 was a much better experience compared to OP1. Being genuinely passionate about the project gave us the impetus to excel. Lest the minor flaws and hiccups, I am pleased with our team’s overall performance during the presentation.

Reflection:

Team:

Sufficient preparation was the key to a good performance, which was why my team had a total of three rehearsals. Through the months, our team had built up good rapport, which explained the excellent camaraderie we had while presenting. Consequently, our delivery came forth as smooth and clear. Being well prepared and confident, we had little difficulty tackling questions raised during the Q&A, which were answered systematically and comprehensively.

Individual:

Bearing in mind the flaws from OP1, I reminded myself to actively engage the audience. Having known the flow of the PowerPoint-slides, it helped in anticipating the subsequent points during the presentation. As a result, I could speak more fluently and devote more emotions into my speech. One objective I laid down was to create a light-hearted presentation that serves to educate and inject fun with humour. I believe I had succeeded in doing so.

Despite efforts in sprucing up my speech, I was still bogged down by nervousness. I was susceptible to mental blocks; this led to instances of awkward silences and stuttering. I could have dealt with those situations better by keeping myself more composed. Also, I found myself speaking too quickly towards the end, especially when I had already exceeded the stipulated time. I hereby apologize to all if my speech resulted in some confusion.

Additionally, something unusual I noticed was my tendency to exhibit abrupt actions (e.g. turning my head too quickly), that could have made my presentation seem less professional. For future presentations, I shall be more conscious of my body language; No matter how good my speech is, poor body language can undo all the hard work.

For your convenience, I have embedded my team's presentation slides for your reference and enjoyment =P

Social Networking Presentation

Criteria of an Effective Meeting

I apologize if my previous post (reflection on the video recording of Meeting 1) was lacking in a clear criterion for my definition of an effective meeting.

What constitutes a good meeting? The following are the factors I would keep in mind when evaluating my performance as a team member:

1. Fully understand the agenda of the meeting, and prepare well before attending
2. Be an active participant of the meeting. That is, offer constructive feedback frequently, and perform active listening
          a. Two-way communications between members of the team
3. Staying on topic, and not deviate from the agenda
4. Exhibit positive body language and non-verbal cues
5. As the minutes taker of the meeting, I should be effectual in taking down important points mentioned by the speakers. After the meeting, disseminate the minutes to the team as soon as possible.

With respect to the above criteria, I have not fully met the expectations set by myself.

First and foremost, I have failed in making an impact during the meeting. I was largely quiet during major part of the meeting. My ‘excuse’ of being an active listener cannot be fully accepted simply because I have not translated my analysis to the actual group discussion. This was a pity because I have thought of numerous ideas which I thought could have benefited my team. I was held back my fear for being a deviant and being criticised.

Nevertheless, I have made a mental note of my criteria listed above. I would remind myself that being criticized is part of the learning process, and also that the team goals outweighs my own personal apprehension for being put down.

Being a good listener is my strength. Thus, I hope to maintain this positive trait of mine, and put in conscientious effort in being a better team member.

Review From a Video Recording of Our First Meeting!

With the advent of technology, I am able to better reflect on my team’s performance; in this case, reviewing a video-recording of our first meeting.

Feel free to view the video embedded  below! Or at: http://www.viddler.com/explore/jsjj88/videos/1

Having not done this before, I watched the video with utmost interest. It is obvious that Kevin and Louis are the visionaries of the team, their knowledge of the subject matter is exceptional and hence, is able to steer the team in the right direction. Meenu, on the other hand, though more reserved, is able to interject at times with highly creative ideas and solutions to the problem.

With a team that consists of people from vastly different backgrounds and cultures, it is amazing that the team could synergize. We spoke the same language of enthusiasm and have a common goal. None of us was afraid of voicing out our opinions. We articulated well, and were able to bring our points across clearly. 

Clarifications were also sought and answered effectively when necessary.

However, there are definitely room for improvements. At certain segments of the video, it was apparent that some members were disengaged from the discussions. The group-leader should hence be constantly aware when such situations arise, and step in to engage him/her. In addition, the meeting had the occasional interruptions from eager teammates who wanted to speak up. Perhaps, we should cultivate the habit of waiting for the other party to finish his/her point before we speak. Furthermore, members should be encouraged to participate more actively (guilty was I). Constructive feedback was present, but still lacking and that should be improved on from the next meeting.

All things considered, it was a fruitful and productive meeting. Embarking on this project with a fine start should keep the momentum going and work towards our favour. Nevertheless, we should also reflect upon the mistakes that we made along the way, rectify them, and strive towards being a more effective and dynamic team.

Tricky conflict calls for tough decisions

I would like to thank all you guys for your comments on the scenario from the previous post! I am well aware that this particular setting is a tad complicated, the conflict itself was hard to resolve due to the fact that several groups of people were involved here. Resolving such a conflict has no perfect solution, but the following is my personal interpretation of the conflict, and the steps I would take to tackle the problem.

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It is always tricky when love and work intertwines. Nevertheless, my first task would be to reduce the rift between my colleagues and I. The tension was built up mainly due to miscommunications, misunderstandings and mistrust. This trust has to be earned back. But, it is especially difficult when compounded by news of retrenchments. They would be aggressive and to a certain extent, unruly. But as the team leader, I would once again garner the support and gain back the lost camaraderie in this time of adversity.

A meeting is necessary to dispel all misunderstandings and to allow my colleagues to voice out their comments. I will apologize for causing any unintentional grief, and would pledge to do my best to overturn the upcoming retrenchments. A well bonded team which never surrenders is a valuable asset to any company. I would use that as an advantage to convince Boss that a retrenchment is unnecessary.

Conversely, dealing with Boss is a different ball game altogether. He has his financial limitations and liabilities to take care of, and the last thing on his mind would be to handle a wilful and obstinate team leader. I would seek Joanne’s help in convincing Boss that both teams had performed above expectations, thus retrenchment could actually be avoided. Wage cuts would be a more viable alternative. I would promise continued performance from the team, and would volunteer resignation if the team fails to live up to his expectations. A leader has to lead by example; therefore, I have the responsibility to safeguard the interests of my teammates.

Finally, knowing the sheer determination and hard work of my team, it is only right that I organize a dinner retreat to reward them. Regardless of the outcome of Boss’, my team should know that their work has been acknowledged, and I truly appreciate their dedications and contributions.

And not forgetting, inviting them to my wedding! :)

Against The Most Unlikely of Teams

Fraught with tensions, it was a nerve-wracking time to be in the company.  The boss had no choice but to reduce headcount in the back of an unprecedented recession. Joanne and you are both struggling to hold back increasing losses to your investment portfolios. As the leading investment bankers in your respective teams, the teams would come under fire in the event of heavy losses incurred for the bank.

Misery thrives in this trying period of time, yet Joanne and you are still going ahead with the marriage ceremony next month. Nobody in the company had expected this union.

Two weeks before the end of the financial year and your marriage, Boss announced that five staff from an underperforming team would be cut from the payroll. Staff morale was at an all time low. It was then, you got wind from an insider source that a major food conglomerate, K, is acquiring a rival company C. Stock prices were bound to go up. Your team of analysts was anxious to purchase these stocks, eager to get an edge over Joanne’s team. Knowing your relationship, your team’s analysts got suspicious over the possibility of a leak of information.

Joanne’s team was still bleeding funds. Obviously, you were concerned that she would lose her job. Despite that, you remained tight-lipped.

You then purchased a 0.3% stake in K which subsequently rose in value. The team was satisfied, but your analysts still seemed distrustful.

At the end of the month, Boss revealed that Joanne’s team outperformed yours with a 3% stake purchased in K. You were flabbergasted, and your team pointed their fingers at you.

Rumours abound that 5 analysts (your name was not mentioned) from your team were to be retrenched soon.

As the leader of the team, what would you do?

Watch what you speak! (Observation of team behaviour: Intercultural and Interpersonal Communication)

A famous man once said,

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart

That person is none other than Nelson Mandela, a former South African statesman and Nobel Laureate, who was instrumental in the abolishment of the apartheid in South Africa.

Being born a Singaporean Chinese has its merits. Most of my peers, like me, are bilingual in two of the most spoken languages in the world: English and Mandarin. We are especially susceptible to staying within our comfort zone, where the Chinese would prefer interacting with Chinese, the Malays with Malays, and likewise with the Indians and other minority races. Even then, Singapore is largely peaceful with little or no cases of racial tensions (we could probably credit that to racial harmony day =p).

I could still recall the fateful day where a conversation took place between my group of four friends, back in my army days:

Me: “Chinese new year’s almost here, can’t wait to book out and enjoy all the new year goodies. Yay! "

Friend A: “Yea, thinking of all the food is making me salivate, yum. “

Me: “Especially BAK KWA! (it’s actually tasty BBQ minced pork meat slices) Let’s gather at my house during CNY and we can eat all the bak kwa in the world. Nothing taste better than bak kwa right?”

Friend B: “Sorry Justin, I don’t eat pork”.

It was only then I realized my mistake. Friend B was a staunch Muslim who cringes at the ‘p’ word. I immediately apologized for my insensitivity. Fortunately, B forgave me and we still remained as good friends.

Therefore, regardless of how mundane or trivial certain issues can be, we should never let our guard down, as someone may just be offended by our words or actions. These misunderstandings could transpire into something more sinister and violent as in the case in Malaysia just recently.

The use of the word “Allah” by Christians in Malaysia resulted in arson and vandalism of several churches. The misuse of the word was perhaps non-malicious; however, some Muslims probably overreacted without much thought. And just today, internet reports have published articles that several mosques in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were desecrated with pig’s head, probably as a form of retaliation against the Muslim’s acts of violence. This clearly shows cultural differences and the lack of communications in its full glory.

Certain people are more sensitive to things that insult or hurt them, thus, cultural differences is something we should be constantly aware of. The 'pork example' above, though insignificant, is never trivial enough to garner a violent response from the other party. How else would Jihad emerge? The extremists did not surface from their little holes just to poke some fun at the Americans, they did it because of clashes in beliefs. Whilst my stand may be a tad extreme, it is imperative that we do not take cultural differences for granted.

Provoked, they would hurt you where you least expect.

People make mistakes. At times where we are in a company of someone who has vastly different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs, we should constantly watch what we speak and be respectful towards him. These could be the people we work with for large parts of our lives. By being able to communicate effectively, and at the same time foster excellent ties with these people, we would hope to live a more peaceful and pleasant life.

Communications and Teamwork: Why they are important for me

Back when Homo Erectus and Neanderthals roamed the earth, none had the luxury of modern inventions like the telephones or email. There was no long distance interaction to speak of. Communications were largely confined to the limited spaces of the air around them. Language use was probably rudimentary and primitive. However, with the passing of time, coupled with the enormous brain of our ancient ancestors, the modern human beings have evolved. Lo and behold, people are communicating more than ever.

Simple as it may be, communications is an essential part of our daily lives. The moment we speak, whatever we say is interpreted and inferred by the receiver. How successful the intended message is deciphered, really depends on the choice of words, the tone, and the body language.

Communicating is easy, communicating effectively is not.

Technology seeks to bridge the geological divide between people, allowing convenient communications via email, instant messaging and even video conferencing. What people rarely notice is the decline of actual human to human interactions that binds families and sustains relationships. Therefore, it is imperative for us to make any form of real human communications to be effective, impactful, and serve the desired purposes.

Being in university is certainly one platform for inter-personal communications to burgeon. This is where bonds are forged for life, and where one’s ability to share knowledge is of the utmost importance. Every now and then, we would be challenged to make a presentation in front of an intimidating audience. This calls for steely confidence that produces the smooth flowing presentation everyone yearns to give. Confidence is important, but am I able to bring my message across to everyone in the room? Being clear and concise is often the key to keeping the audience on their toes and knowing what the idea of the presentation is. This is where fine communications come into play.

Also, in today’s highly connected world, people from all over the globe come together and work together. Being an excellent communicator helps to break the ice amongst the group, and dissipate potential rifts that may occur due to racial and religious differences. Take one interesting example, the recent attention towards McDonald’s Singapore Doraemon soft toys clearly shows that the management staff did not perform its job well. Being sensitive, in this case, towards the Muslims and thereby removing the pig toy from the entire Chinese Zodiac Doraemon collection, resulted in a fairly large hoo-ha amongst the Chinese. If the management bothered to communicate with both the Malays and Chinese, it would realize that their concerns are largely uncalled for. An amicable result could be implemented instead. McDonald’s eventually buckled to public opinions and is offering the toy for sale now.

This example clearly depicts how effective communications is important not only to myself, but to society as a whole.

Teamwork is where a group of people work as a team, literally.

Teamwork actually involves a great deal of effective communications too.

Project discussions, for example, require us to be well equipped with the ability to share ideas, debate, conduct evaluations and so on. It is an uphill task to perform, juggling differing cultural backgrounds and personalities, and at the same time to prevent any conflicts within the teammates. Some thoughts would inevitably come to mind: Would I be able to overcome these obstacles? Would I be able to steer my group towards the goal and within the tight deadlines we have to adhere to?

Having great teamwork is already half the battle won. We do not want to waste valuable time solving conflicts within the team itself, in the working world, this would mean diminishing productivity, and in turn, loss in revenue for the company. That is why, picking good teammates is crucial. It is also of essence to note that having an “all star team” does not necessarily equate to success. I would not want to be in such a case, as often, there would be heated arguments. A most desirable team would be one that consists of people who are varied and equipped with differing skill sets. People who are able to complement one another, and work together are actually something that all teams should strive for. A highly motivated and bonded group would definitely outshine a group of over-achievers.

More drinking sessions anyone?? =p

Thanks for visiting!

Hi guys, welcome to my blog!

This is where we share all our ideas for this module of effective team communications. Feedbacks and comments are absolutely welcomed, so feel free to inject whatever life there is, into this blog.

Thanks guys, spread the love around! =p

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