Week 7 discussion
Theme one is about the greatest skill a leader can possess
that is the art of communication. This week’s theme is to discuss the
importance of communication which at its heart is the art of listening.
Learning activities for the skill based aspect of our discussion should focus
on the different forms of communication and how and when they are best used.
(Persuasion, written communication, oral, body language, group, diversity etc.)
LEARNING ACTIVITY 1
Take one of the communication assessments in your reading.
Comment to the class about your results and explain while referencing the
reading for the week what areas of improvement you would consider working
towards.
Sub Theme: is the
corollary which is the absence of communication and its destructive nature.
Many times failure to communicate comes from poor listening skills.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/listening-quiz.htm
How good are your listening skills? Take this assessment and
find out what areas you can use improvement and report to the class.
Do you see a relationship between the areas of improvement
in the communication assessment and the listening areas of improvement? If so
why? If not why not?
LEARNING ACTIVITY 2
Read the Waite Pharmaceuticals case study found in Richard
Daft’s book The Leadership Experience (link attached). Daft Chapter 12 Ignore the last paragraph and assume that
Lassiter has given you permission to make a presentation to the Board of
Directors. Knowing that Hsu is biased in
favor of the Standard Company, you must find a way to persuade the Board and
Hsu that Standard is not the greatest option for the company. Be creative! Set
up the Agenda for your presentation and write the first two paragraphs of your
presentation using the tips given in the articles for this week and the videos
listed below. Make sure you tell us enough that we get a real feel for your
perspective and direction of argument. Remember if you don’t communicate your
thoughts well the choice will be Standard!
Nancy Duarte on creating persuasive presentations
How to persuade anyone of anything in 10 seconds
LEARNING ACTIVITY 3
You are the CEO of a medium size solar panel firm located in
California. You are concerned with the rising taxes in your state and have been
negotiating with the Governor for a tax reduction because of your green status.
Talks with the Governor however do not look promising. You are considering moving
the business to New Mexico and have been in negations with the Governor there
and it looks almost too good to be true. The two other members of the
leadership are aware the pending move.
Your employees however do not know of the discussion and the possible
impending move which may require them to relocate. Explain in a memo to your
leadership team how and when you want the news to be known to the staff that a
possible move is in the horizon. Be sure to explain the way the news should be
broken and by whom. Make sure to discuss the timing and how you will handle the
feedback you will get from the news. Keep in mind all the things that we
discusses about change, trust and vision in your response. Use the articles
below to help with your ideas.
Communicating a vision for change Kotter
4 Ways to Communicate Change
