COMM 277 Week 3 Part 3 – Enacting Communication Change

Student Name

Chamberlain University

COMM-277 Interpersonal Communication

Prof. Name:

Date

Week 3 CCC: Part 3 – Enacting Communication Change

Part 1: Beginning of the Week

This week, I have chosen my supervisor as the individual to apply my plan of saying no to. I interact with my supervisor daily when I am at work, which provides me with numerous opportunities to practice this communication change. I have been mentally preparing for instances when I will need to stand my ground and assertively say no when asked to stay late at work. My approach is to assess the conversation in the moment. If I feel that I am being asked to stay late simply because I often say yes, I plan to respectfully decline and suggest that they ask other coworkers first. This allows me to maintain a kind and respectful tone, ensuring that my response is positive rather than negative.

Part 2: Middle of the Week

The setting for this conversation will be my workplace, which is an Ob-Gyn office. The conversation could be with either my supervisor or my manager, depending on who asks me to stay late. Regardless of who initiates the request, I intend to respectfully say no. I will ensure that my tone remains calm and respectful so that I do not come across as unprofessional or disrespectful. While I will be firm in my response, it is essential to convey my seriousness without sounding rude. I want to make it clear that I cannot stay late and that my decision is final.

Part 3: End of the Week

3A. Topic Selection Reflection

I used assessment to guide my approach when my supervisor asked me to stay late at work. I also realized that the tone and choice of words I use when saying no play a significant role in how the conversation unfolds. The way I communicate can either strengthen or undermine the message I want to convey.

3B. Implementation Analysis: Satisfaction

McLean (2018) stated, “Sometimes we want our meaning to be crystal clear, and at other times, less so.” I applied this principle to the way I communicated my decision to say no to my boss. I made sure my message was clear, ensuring she understood that I could not stay late. By doing so, I avoided the possibility of being persuaded to change my decision. I have observed a positive change in myself this week, as I am now more comfortable standing my ground and respectfully saying no. Before learning this skill, the idea of saying no to my boss made me nervous.

3C. Implementation Analysis: Dissatisfaction

I have not been displeased with the implementation of this communication strategy. However, if I fail to consistently apply what I have learned, I risk returning to my old habits, which would be unsatisfactory.

3D. Implementation Analysis: Additional Changes

I still need to work on consistently remembering to say no to my boss and not revert to my old ways. I need to stay mindful of assessing the situation and paying attention to my tone and word choice. As McLean (2018) emphasized, “It isn’t what you say that counts, but the way you say it.” This insight is true in every situation and conversation, and it resonates with me. I want to ensure I do not come off as disrespectful or negative when saying no, especially to my boss. Therefore, I will continue practicing and staying mentally prepared for any future requests to stay late at work.

References

McLean, S. (2018). Exploring interpersonal communication, Version 2.0. Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781453390429/