COMM 277 Week 3 Part 3 – Enacting Communication Change

Name

Chamberlain University

COMM-277 Interpersonal Communication

Prof. Name

Date

Part 1: Beginning of the Week

This week, I have chosen to apply my plan for saying no to my Supervisor. Since I interact with my Supervisor daily at work, I will have ample opportunities to put my plan into action. I have been mentally preparing for the moments when I need to assertively tell my bosses that I cannot stay late. My approach will involve assessing the situation: if I feel that I am being asked to stay late simply because I usually say yes, I will respectfully decline and suggest that they ask other coworkers first. This strategy allows me to maintain a positive and respectful tone while firmly standing my ground.

Part 2: Middle of the Week

The conversation will take place at my workplace, which is an Ob-Gyn office. It may be with my Supervisor or my Manager, depending on who makes the request for me to stay late. Regardless of who it is, I will clearly communicate that I cannot stay. I will use a calm and respectful tone to ensure I do not appear unprofessional or disrespectful. It’s essential for me to be firm in my refusal, so they understand that I am serious and not open to persuasion.

Part 3: End of the Week

3A. Topic Selection Reflection

I utilized assessment techniques during my conversation with my Supervisor when she asked me to stay late. I learned that the tone and word choice I use when saying no significantly impact the effectiveness of the conversation.

3B. Implementation Analysis: Satisfaction

As McLean (2018) notes, “Sometimes we want our meaning to be crystal clear, and at other times, less so.” I applied this principle to my discussions with my boss, aiming to be clear in my refusal to stay late. It was crucial for my Supervisor to understand that my answer was definitive, ensuring they do not feel they can persuade me otherwise. Successfully asserting myself and respectfully saying no has been a positive change for me this week. Prior to this experience, I often felt nervous at the thought of denying my boss.

3C. Implementation Analysis: Dissatisfaction

While I am generally satisfied with my implementation, I recognize that failing to apply my new skills consistently could lead me back to my old habits, which would be disappointing.

3D. Implementation Analysis: Additional Changes

I need to continue reminding myself to say no and resist reverting to my previous behaviors. It’s essential to assess the context of the conversation and remember that tone and phrasing are vital. McLean (2018) states, “It isn’t what you say that counts, but the way you say it,” which resonates with me in everyday interactions. I aim to communicate respectfully and positively when telling my boss no. Therefore, I will keep practicing and mentally preparing for any requests to stay late that I cannot accommodate.

References

McLean, S. (2018). Exploring Interpersonal Communication, Version 2.0.
Thompson, S. (2021). “Tone of Voice” in Manager-to-Employee Communications. Retrieved from https://work.chron.com/tone-voice-managertoemployee-communications28743.html