Final reflection on learning

It has been a really fun and enjoyable journey in ES2007s!

I have not had a module with presentation for a while. This module has allowed me to revisit my presentation skills and to pick up communications skills that are useful beyond university. This module also gave me the opportunity to interact with people of different faculties and nationalities which I value.

Peer teaching was  a very pleasant experience for me. Jake, Teo Huei and Celine are very helpful and friendly individuals. Really miss the times at starbucks @ YIH. I still remember the times we took photos of our different facial expressions for our mock peer teaching presentation. And despite the fact that our actual and mock peer teaching was back to back, I think our group handled the deadlines very well. Thank you for being such supportive and encouraging teammates! I would like to specially mention Celine whom I felt improved a lot through the semester.( PS: Teo Huei, you owe us breakfast. Thurs at 9am okay? DONT PANGSEH)

My experience with my proposal group was also a very enjoyable and enriching one too. As mentioned in my previous blogpost, I really liked how we complement each other. Also, the similarities in our outgoing and cheerful personalities really help make the project a bit more tolerable despite the heavy workload. There were times when we were really at our wits end but thank you for being there and figuring things out for one another. Also, thank you for sending us home IZ! I enjoyed myself thoroughly cause of both of you!

On a personal note, I think I have improved over the semester. I used to be very fidgety when I present but I think I am more stable now as a presenter. I learned how to use my tone and gestures a little more. Also, I picked up skills from the individuals in my class and for this I would like to thank everyone in the class. Last but not least, thank you Meng Choo for her guidance, patience and advice throughout the semester. Her teachings will stay with me for a very long time.  

I wish everyone all the best as we come to the end of this semester! :DD

-Joyce

Reflection on Project Proposal

It has been a fulfilling and enjoyable time working with Inn Zheng and Hark Hui. I enjoyed every project meeting with them. I suppose this falls back to our personalities where we are all quite talkative and jovial people. Meetings were filled with laughter and I always enjoy looking at both of them impersonating the typical 'uncle' and 'aunty' at NTUC (our project is related to that). Jokes aside, working with them had its fair share of challenges and triumphs. I remember at the start where we each did on a topic related to the subject. In the end, we had to remove 2 entire sections cause it was just too much. In the midst of the project, there were also times where better organisation and communication could have been put into place as we did not really assign roles and everyone contributed to project at their own free time. I think this can be both good and bad. A learning point here would hence to be more organised and communicate more with one other with regards to the project. Better assignment of roles and timeline management can also be done.

Triumphs wise, I think the difference in our working styles helped quite a bit. Inn Zheng despite his cheery personality, is quite a thinker and analyst. Hark Hui the statistics major, is very sensitive to data and does a lot of research. In certain ways, we do complement one another. I am indeed blessed to have these two group members whom I can work but also have fun with. I hope it has been an enjoyable and interesting process so far for them as it has been for me. I look forward to working on the presentation with them((:!

Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

Intercultural communication is especially relevant in Singapore’s heterogeneous society. National education has taught us the need for sensitivity towards and understanding of different cultures between neighbours of different races. Every day, we are with people from all walks of life, from different ethnic groups with different beliefs and values, and we have grown to respect this great diversity. It is almost like second nature for Singapore-born citizens. We feel safe mingling and working with people from different races

In recent years, there has been a shift from interracial relations to international relations with the focus now being on people of different nationalities. This is so as Singapore has opened her doors to higher skilled expatriates and lower skilled labourers to help build and drive the nation’s development and economy.

I will touch on the rising xenophobic sentiments in Singapore and how intercultural communication can be used to alleviate this situation.  Following events such as the Little India Riot and the Anton Casey’s Facebook post saga, it is not difficult to observe that it is easier than ever to spread xenophobic sentiments and ideas. The myriad of social media platforms and forums allow us to use them to influence their thoughts and actions subconsciously.

Personally, I feel that when it comes to improving intercultural communication and behaviour; it is not just about learning how to communicate with someone or a group of a different culture. Rather, it is also about being aware of what ideas we are sharing when our ‘own’ people tell about the ‘other’ group. What thoughts are we putting into a person’s mind? If we are unhappy about a situation, is this an isolated event or something that is reflective of the entire group?  I do not know if you agree with me but sometimes, we do need to reflect and be aware of what we say on online platforms especially so, in today’s Singapore where our social fabric is as delicate as ever . 

While policymakers work on developing the country, I hope that the delicate yet intricate social fabric of Singapore remains a primary consideration in building a harmonious world-class state for all and this cannot be the work of just government organizations but of us all.

Share your thoughts with me!

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

"It is not what you say but how you say it". 

This quote has been etched in my mind ever since I came across it a year ago. I found it very appropriate at that time as I was in a position where I had to manage people and of course, the conflict that came with it. Rejecting ideas, resolving disagreements and convincing people to follow my lead became part and parcel of the job. It was really not easy at the start but things soon became obvious. It was never about who had the better solution or idea; rather, it was the one who exhibited the higher level of emotional intelligence who gains the upper-hand. In this post, I will concentrate on the practical use of resolving interpersonal conflicts. I do hope that this can serve as a quick reference for everyone in future(:

Based on the readings we have discussed in class, emotional intelligence can be divided into 5 elements by Daniel Goleman, namely self-awareness,self regulation,motivation,empathy and social skills. Instead of reiterating the 5 elements, I hope to provide a different perspective of emotional intelligence. This is based on the book I am currently reading- "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie.

I will take a leaf out of part 4 of the book where Dale Carnegie talks about ways to change people's opinion without giving offence or arousing resentment. I will elaborate further based on my interpretation.

• Principle 1 - Begin with praise and honest appreciation.

If you have to find fault then probably this is the best way to begin. We all have to admit that it is easier to listen to unpleasant things of yourself after you have heard praises of yourself. By beginning with a praise it shows that you have confidence in this person, it also indirectly tells the person that you do not just notice his bad but more importantly, his good.

• Principle 2 - Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.

It is very easy to assume that someone does not care about the mistake he made especially in a disagreement but chances are that they probably care about it just as much as you do. Who doesnt want to do well or impress? An example which came to mind is how my parents used to scold me when I did not do well in school. To be honest, I wanted to do well too but their scolding felt more like more of a criticism than encouragement which I felt really bad about. By indirectly bringing awareness to one's mistake, it not only saves the person's pride but confers confidence as well.

• Principle 3 - Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.

It is really difficult to listen to a recital of your faults especially when you are already in a conflict with someone. An admittance of your own mistake before pointing someone else's fault not only shows humility but also that you are willing to journey with this person and improve together. I once read an article on a parent who got her child to face his drug abuse problem by admitting that she abused drugs in her younger days too. Also if you are wrong, just admit it. Insisting on being right will do the conflict no good.

• Principle 4 - Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.

Everyone likes to feel that their opinion is being valued. I suppose the important thing about asking questions is how it not only makes the the other party feel valued, it also opens the door for creativity and ideas which is important for the progression of an individual and organization.

• Principle 5 - Let the other person save face.

I cannot help but think of occasions when a supervisor is being reprimanded in front of his team or when a child is being scolded by his parents in front of his classmates. It benefits no one by destroying someone's pride. This not only affects how people present think of that person being scolded but also how that person feel about himself. If you want him to get a job done well, what is important is not what you think of him but what he thinks of himself. 

• Principle 6 - Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement.

A little praise can do a lot. It is the opposite of principle 5, a praise can inject a lot of self belief which often reap results. However it is important to be sincere with your praise. Do not flatter someone for the sake of making him happy. Say it and mean it. If you dont, chances are you probably will only solve the conflict momentarily but not in the long run.

• Principle 7 - Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.

"If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid." This principle applies in our conflict with people as well. If you scold someone and make him feel incapable, he may end up believing that he is indeed incapable. People become what you make them out to be so it is important to control your emotions and your tongue.

• Principle 8 - Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.

Dont discourage but encourage a person by making him believe that it is possible to correct his wrong. Give the person confidence that the problem can be saved. In this way, he could also develop a sense of ownership to right the wrong and get the job done well.

• Principle 9 - Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

Two people lashing out at each other is just going to make the situation very unhappy. It could be crucial to stop and think from the other person's perspective. Why is he angry? What does he stand to gain if he does this well? Give recognition, give praise. A happy person will probably do a given task better than one who is filled with grievances and misery.

I hope that this post will complement what we have been taught. Of course, this is based on my interpretation and you may have other interpretations of your own. If you do, please do comment and share them with me! Personally, I think that improving one's interpersonal skills is a continuous process and there is something always for us to learn in our daily lives and interactions. There is no definite way to resolving interpersonal conflict, nevertheless, I suppose this is what spices up and makes our lives interesting :D

Wishing all a happy and prosperous new year!
-Joyce(:

Welcome!

This blog will be used to write 4 formal blog posts on various specified topics in ES2007S.

Cannot wait to get started! To a great AY2013/14 Semester 2 everyone:D
-Joyce(: