15.6 End of Chapter Activities
15a. Thinking About the Content
What are your key takeaways from this chapter? What is something you have learned or something you would like to add from your experience?
15b. Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
- Reflect on your personal use of technology after reading and watching the videos linked there. Would you consider your relationship with your smartphone an addiction? Do you feel that it erodes your people skills and ability to engage meaningfully with other people? Write a one-page response and defend your position with evidence.
- How comfortable are you with speaking on the phone? Are you more likely to text someone than call them, even if calling would be quicker, you’re both available, and there’s no reason why either of you couldn’t just talk? Reflect honestly on why you prefer to text rather than to talk (if that’s the case).
15c. Applying chapter concepts to a situation
Communicating at Work
Samantha is the Sales and Marketing Director at Phoenix Cars, a luxury car dealership in Vancouver. She recently decided to expand her team and hired Dan as a junior sales associate. Dan is twenty-five years old and has minimal experience but completed his bachelor’s degree a year ago. He is dedicated and hardworking so, despite his lack of experience, he was able to master the main tasks of the job within a few weeks.
A few months after hiring Dan, Samantha noticed the following communication issues:
- He uses his phone in team meetings and missing crucial information which affects his performance
- He talks over clients during calls instead of listening to what they have to say
- He uses slangs while communicating with clients face-to-face and on the phone
Samantha doesn’t want to fire Dan because he is talented, but she is worried about the impact on clients, the company as a whole and opportunities for advancement in Dan’s career.
What advice would you give Samantha on how to solve the issues she has been facing with Dan?
15d. Writing Activity
Read this article form LinkedIn on What Millenials are lacking: Soft Skills. Summarize the video. Do you agree with the author? Why or why not?