Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PurpComm Lesson 1 5 Done
PurpComm Lesson 1 5 Done
actual information a person needs or ● For our part, we Filipinos have increased
wants to convey, and intended recipient our awareness and acceptance of the
of that information. notion that we belong to a diverse,
● According to the research study global community. This is not confined
conducted by McKinsey Global Institute to communication with people from
entitled, “The Globalization of English”: other countries, but is inclusive of
o Almost 91% of professionals from communication within our own societies,
the world’s top 300 multinational even with the minorities and the
companies said that indigenous peoples.
communicating in English is ● It is therefore imperative that we learn
important for work success. to communicate effectively with people
o Only 7% of them indicated that regardless of age, gender, race, ability,
their current level of English is religion, sexual orientation, income,
sufficient for their jobs. marital status, or ethnicity.
● In addition, digital technology has glass). Since in their culture, they treat
erased territorial boundaries among the pictures printed on packages to be
a representation of what’s inside, they
countries and among people with
varying cultures. The notion of being a thought it was a box of broken glasses
‘stranger’ has been revolutionized as the and threw all the boxes into the sea.
● Multiculturalists – are those who engage to show the lead actor sitting on the
Buddha’s head, which is an act of clear
themselves with and are respectful
people with different cultures. These are degradation against something holy.
not necessarily people from other ● Coors Beer - “Turn it loose.” translated to
countries all the time, since a country Spanish, but it became to mean “Suffer
may have varying sub-cultures among from diarrhea.”
its general society. ● The cost of cultural insensitivity in
global communication can be felt in
COMMUNICATION & GLOBALIZATION everyday communication, as cultural
● Gerber branding – some cultures where misunderstandings often lead to
women have low literacy rates, such as misinterpretation and unnecessary
Africa and the Middle East, saw the tension between people. The following
picture of the baby and believed that are some examples in global setting:
there was a baby or part of one baby in
● Joni – (read as Yoni) is a brand of skin Arabia), however, the gesture is
product. However, Yoni means ‘uterus’ or perceived as insulting. Similarly,
‘vagina’ in Sanskrit, and is an Indian crossing one’s legs while seated is
representation of female genitalia, customary for Westerners, but this is
especially pertaining to the Hindu a social faux pas in Korea.
goddess Shakti. o Blinking rapidly while another person
● McDonald’s Advertisement with Muslims everyone from the same culture exhibits
- McDonald’s also unintentionally the same characteristics and habits in
offended thousands of Muslims when it communication, so sensitivity is key to
printed an excerpt from the Koran on its any successful communicative situation.
throwaway (take-out) hamburger bags. ● In communicating in a highly global
Muslims saw this as sacrilegious. environment, the challenge that faces
everyone is to learn to understand,
accept, and address cultural – and indicator of reading a person’s
communication – differences. intention.
● The belly button rule means the
ETHICS IN COMMUNICATION direction of a person’s navel reflects
● Effective communication is ethical his/her true interest.
communication. Communication is ● When people are interested in you and
ethical only when it is genuine, open, what you have to say, they will point
cooperative and sensitive to one’s their belly button squarely at you as you
cultural and social beliefs and practices. talk.
● If there is an intent to conceal the truth,
or bring damage to any organization, RESPECTING SOCIO-CULTURAL BELIEFS
group or individual person, AND PRACTICES OF OTHERS
communication is considered unethical. ● The concept of globalization is not new,
but people somehow fail to realize that
● Even in situations when there is no this is not confined to technology or
intent to harm, but damage to a certain bridging the world and making it a
group is inevitable because of the virtual community.
message or the channel used to relay ● Globalization also entails changing the
the message, it is still considered way people communicate to others,
unethical. especially those with different norms,
cultures, and belief systems.
ETHICS IN COMMUNICATION
PAST VS PREJUDICE LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNICATION IN
● Past Experience - People enter into a MULTICULTURAL SETTINGS
communicative situation with certain “Cultural differences should not separate
expectations and they behave or react us from each other, but rather cultural
accordingly. diversity brings a collective strength that
● Prejudice - When people take their past can benefit all humanity.” – Robert Alan
experiences and make certain
assumptions that the same experiences COMMUNICATION STYLES IN VARIOUS
will happen with the same people, given MULTICULTURAL CONTEXTS
the same context. Prejudices may be ● The model, developed by Dr. Eileen M.
attributed to culture or personal Russo, shows four different
preferences. communication styles (direct, spirited,
systematic and considerate),
● Happens when people isolate an categorized further into two different
experience with one “type” of person or dimensions (level of assertiveness and
one group of people, then behave as if level of expressiveness).
all encounters with people of the same ● People with assertive communication
“type”, or at least with the same levels tend to tell or instruct others what
characteristics, will lead to the same to do and sometimes even how to do it.
experience.
● People with expressive communication
● Effective communicators view people as level usually show their real feelings and
separate from any preconceived emotions through facial expressions,
notions others may have about them. tone of voice, or language use.
● The combination of different levels of
SHOWING COMMITMENT AND GENUINE assertiveness or expressiveness result to
INTEREST the basic communication styles:
● A key component in ethical o Spirited – High Expressiveness &
communication is showing commitment High Assertiveness
in the communicative situation. o Considerate – High Expressiveness &
● Being committed means: Low Assertiveness
o giving sufficient time and resources o Direct – Low Expressiveness & High
o being open Assertiveness
o volunteering important information, o Systematic – Low Expressiveness &
even if it puts a person’s own Low Assertiveness
short-term interests at risk.
● The following are the tips for a people
NAVAL LANGUAGE with a spirited communication:
● Body Language may be enhanced o Respect decisions and agenda that
through the “Belly Button Psyche or the have been agreed upon, as well as
belly button rule, which is believed to time limits during meetings or any
communicate true interest while communicative situation.
engaging in face-to-face o Try to limit your sharing of personal
communication. anecdotes that may take the
discussion off-topic.
● Dr. Albert Mehrabian, professor of o Make sure you are allowing others to
Psychology at UCLA said that the belly contribute their ideas and
button rule is the most important suggestions - and that you are
genuinely listening to them.
o Be certain that any request you o Pidgin - It refers to a new language that
make is clear and that you convey develops into situations where
the reason for such request. speakers of different languages need
o Communicate your appreciation for to communicate but do not share a
others’ work and input. common language.
● Tips for people with a Considerate o Creole - It is a pidgin that becomes the
Communication first language of the children, or the
o Recognize that other people’s mother tongue of a certain community.
opinions about a topic are separate o Regional Dialect - It is not a language
from their opinions about you. that is not distinct from a national
o Realize that not everyone is language, but rather a variety of a
comfortable discussing personal language spoken in a particular area
topics with colleagues. of a country.
o Allow others to open personal o Minority Dialect - This is a variety used
matters before asking questions of as a marker identity, usually alongside
that nature. a standard variety, by the members of
o Respect your own opinion as you a particular minority ethnic group.
respect that of others’. o Indigenized Varieties - These are
o Recognize that you don’t have to be spoken mainly as second languages in
friends with everyone, but you former colonies with multilingual
should treat others -and be treated populations.
-professionally. ● A language register is characterized by
● Tips for People with a Direct the way a speaker uses language
Communication differently in different social
o Make an effort to listen carefully to circumstances. These are determined
others. Avoid interrupting. social atmosphere, purpose of
o Allow time for “chatting” at the communication, audience, and the
beginning of a meeting. general context of the discourse.
o Recognize that others may also feel ● Classification of Language Registers:
the need to express themselves. o Formal - These registers are used in
o Recognize that brainstorming can professional, academic, or legal
be effective and is not a waste of settings where communication is
time. expected to be respectful,
o Take some time to show your uninterrupted, and restrained to
appreciation for others’ specific rules. Slang is never used and
contributions. contractions are rare.
● Tips for People with a Systematic o Casual - These registers are used when
Communication communicating with friends, close
o Recognize that for good working acquaintances, colleagues, and family
relationships, consideration for members.
others’ feelings is important. o Intimate - These registers are reserved
o Learn to ask qualifying questions for special occasions, usually between
that will help you get the information only two people and often in private.
you need. o Frozen - It refers to historic language
o Make sure you understand the
that is intended to remain unchanged.
background of the discussion or
o Consultative - It is used in
scope of the conversation so no time
is wasted. conversations when people are
speaking with someone who has
o Politely ask other questions about
themselves if you want to build specialized knowledge or is offering
advice. Tone is often respectful, such
rapport.
as the use of honorifics or courtesy
o If you need to ask for more time to
know, analyze or discuss something, titles, but may be more casual if the
relationship between or among
explain the benefit of the
communicators is friendly.
information you need to know.
● Language registers may also be
VARIETIES AND REGISTERS OF SPOKEN classified as Formal, Informal, Neutral
AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE o Formal language registers are
● In a multicultural society, people must appropriate for professional situations,
use culturally-appropriate terms, such as when speaking to a supervisor
gestures, expressions and images in any or writing an invitation letter.
communicative situation. o Informal language registers, on the
● Language Varieties. It is called “lects”, other hand, are conversational and
these refer to the different variants of a appropriate when speaking or writing
language that can be sufficiently to a friend or to someone you know
delimited from one another in terms of quite well.
social, historical, or geo-spatial factors, o The use of one or a combination of
thus forming language clusters. In these registers highly depends on the
addition, language varieties may also be audience and the context (nature of
grouped in the following classifications: the communicative situation). Using the
proper registers show respect, interest,
and a certain level of professionalism,
hence enhancing harmonious personal
and professional relationships.
IMPROVING ONE’S ABILITY IN
COMMUNICATING IN A MULTICULTURAL
SETTING
● Everything should start with a personal
desire and strong conviction to relate
more effectively with persons having
different cultural backgrounds. This will EVALUATING MESSAGES AND IMAGES OF
not only create positive personal DIFFERENT TEXT TYPES
relationships, but also open more EVALUATING MESSAGES AND/OR IMAGES
opportunities for professional growth. OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEXTS
Limiting one’s reliance on preconceived REFLECTING DIFFERENT CULTURES
notions and established stereotypes is ● Concept of World Englishes. As defined
also a major leap towards effective by Celce-Murcia (2014), the regionally
intercultural communication. distinct varieties of English that have
● The following specific guidelines can arisen in parts of the world where there
enhance your ability to handle is a long and often colonial history of
situations involving intercultural English being used in education,
communication, and better prepare commerce and government.
yourself to meet the communication ● Over time, the widespread use of English
challenges in an increasingly global - spoken side by side with local
environment: languages - has given rise to local
o Refrain from forming expectations varieties of English with their own
based solely on your culture. Knowing standards. Examples of World Englishes
and accepting the validity of cultural are Indian English, West African English,
differences are key in communicating Singapore English, and Filipino English.
with people having diverse ● One major issue that has been raised
communication styles. Being an with respect to these established
effective communicator requires varieties is that they are often not fully
allowing yourself to be immersed in intelligible to users of other varieties of
the multicultural society and English.
embracing diversity ● Kirkpatrick (2007) proposes a scale with
o Remove personal biases or any two extremes that characterize this
stereotype that may impede problem:
understanding. You do not want to be o The goal of national or regional
at the receiving end of a biased identity - People use a regional variety
judgment, right? You don’t want of English with its specific grammar,
structure and vocabulary to affirm
people avoiding you just because of
their own national or ethnic identity.
how they see other members of your (e.g. Only Filipinos use the terms
group or culture. Determine how “senatoriable”, “congressman”,
much your family, friends and “chancing”, and “bedspacer”, among
colleagues have ‘dictated’ how you others.)
view or feel about other people or o The goal of intelligibility - Users of a
other groups, and identify which regional variety should ideally still be
among these pre-judgments are readily understood by users of
stereotypes that can damage English everywhere else in the world
relationships. to fully participate in the use of
o Remove personal biases or any English as an international language.
stereotype that may impede (e.g. Users of Filipino English have to
understand that they have to use “bin”
understanding. You do not want to be
instead of “trash can” or “lift” instead
at the receiving end of a biased
of “elevator” when in a country using
judgment, right? You don’t want British English.)
people avoiding you just because of o The challenge is to find a good
how they see other members of your balance between the
group or culture. Determine how identity-intelligibility extremes. Hence,
much your family, friends and speakers of the English language may
colleagues have ‘dictated’ how you resort to code-switching (i.e. using
view or feel about other people or English and another language in the
other groups, and identify which same statement). For example, Filipinos
among these pre-judgments are may use a strongly local version of
stereotypes that can damage Filipino English to communicate with
relationships. fellow Filipinos using English as
medium, but they should use a weaker
and more formal version when
communicating with users of other ● The exponential rise in the use of social
varieties of English, especially when media can be partly attributed to the
international intelligibility is necessary. emergence of technologies that enable
o Multimodality is a fairly new concept in modern communication (that is, FAST,
the general academic setting, but can CONVENIENT, INTERACTIVE
be a very powerful tool in light of communication). These included
digital and multicultural computers, laptops, and smartphones,
communication. A text or output is among others. In addition, the rise of
considered multimodal if it uses two or social media is a unique manifestation
more communication modes to make of how quickly and drastically patterns
meaning. It shows different ways of of social behaviors change.
knowledge representations and ● Some Interesting Statistics on Social
meaning-making, and investigates Media Use as of July 2020:
contributions of semiotic resources
(language, gestures, images) that are
co-deployed across various modalities
(visual, aural, somatic, etc). Most
importantly, multimodality highlights
the significance of interaction and
integration in constructing a coherent
text.
o A multimodal text can either be one of
the following:
▪ Paper (books, comics, posters,
brochures)
▪ Digital (Slide presentations, blogs, web
pages, social media, animation, film,
video games)
▪ Live (performance or an event)
o Transmedia - A story is told using
multiple delivery channels through a
combination of platforms, such as
comics, film, and video games all
working as part of the same story with
the same message
o The creation of multimodal texts and
outputs requires a creative design
concept that orchestrates the
purposive combination of text, color,
photo, sound, spatial design,
language, gestures, animations and
other semiotics, all with the unitary
goal of bringing meaning to life.
THE RISE OF NEW MEDIA AND
TECHNOLOGY AIDS IN COMMUNICATION
● Social media has undoubtedly altered
how the world operates. The rapid and
vast adoption of new media platforms
have changed the way people relate and
communicate with each other in the
social, economic, and political arenas.
● Though there are minor social media
platforms available since the 90s, the
social media that we know today - the
one with millions of active and
interactive users - started with MySpace
in 2004, when it reached a million active
users.
● Some media platforms have been so
popular that the number of users rise at
such an exponential rate.
● However, not all social media platforms
last. For example, in 2008, Hi5, MySpace, ● In a 2017 report by the Global Web Index:
and Friendster were close competitors o 42% of people use social media
to the social media giant, Facebook. platforms to stay in touch with what
● Interestingly, the social media platforms their friends are doing
that survived did so because of their o 39% wanted to stay up-to-date with
continuous evolution and response to news and current events
the needs and interests of its users.
● Other top reasons for Using Social ● The Internet is the largest area of
Media language development we have seen in
o Filling up spare time our lifetimes. Crystal (2011) said that only
o General networking with people two things are certain: it is not going to
o Looking for entertaining content go away, and it is going to get larger.
o Sharing photos and videos Hence, we must be prepared for its
o Sharing one’s opinion inevitable expansion.
o Meeting new people ● Digital discourse illuminates social and
o Researching or finding out products to cultural processes, which is under the
buy domain of sociocultural linguistics.
● The primary concern is not the abstract,
RESPONSIBLE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA grammatical linguistics, but rather the
● WE ALL HAVE A SOCIAL everyday functions and uses of
RESPONSIBILITY. YOU are 100 percent language.
Responsible for everything that appears ● This type of discourse or
on your social media accounts, from computer-mediated communication
your status updates and comments to (CMC) can be described as:
pictures, videos, and links you share. o INTERPERSONAL.
● Do not turn to social media as a way to Relationship-focused rather than
harass, demean, or bully someone else. subject-oriented. This can be
Sitting in front of a computer screen explained by the # of Group Chats
does NOT give you license to embarrass, (GC’s) a person has, and
intimidate, or spread hurtful rumors the # of individuals and GC’s a person
about others. engages simultaneously. The
● Regardless of your privacy settings, interpersonal nature of CMC is
keep in mind that anything can possibly characterized by the following:
be seen by anyone any time, even by ● Turn-taking
that person that you did not want to see ● Topic development
it. PAUSE before you post, THINK before ● Back-channels
you click. ● Repairs
● Whether you’re concerned with o DIALOGICAL. Carries expectation of
maintaining good friendships or future
continuous exchange
job prospects, be responsible in what
● This is why most media platforms
you post and how it could affect your
have a “Reply” or “comment” option,
reputation. Many employers now check
while some have a “Leave a
up on job candidates’ social media
comment” button, to ensure
accounts for evidence of bad behavior.
continuous interaction.
o VERNACULAR. Uses language that is
common to people regardless of age,
social class, gender, or race
▪ Acronyms (Lol, yolo, fomo, bae)
▪ Initialisms (atm, rotfl, brb, btw, hbd,
idk, jk, af, nwm, tmi, tldr, tw, g!)
▪ Emoticons /emojis
▪ Expressive Punctuations
o SPONTANEOUS. It is usually
unplanned, unstructured, and
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND THE NEW MEDIA sometimes impulsive.
WHAT IS NEW MEDIA ▪ This spontaneity also gave rise to
● New media refer to highly interactive Net Neologisms through Lexical
digital technology. These are very easily Creativity, such as the use of “b4n”,
processed, stored, transformed, and “f2f”, or such terms as trolls,
retrieved, hyper-linked, searched for, meme, hashtag, and meh
and accessed. Generally, these can be ● The English of the New Media is:
classified as: Blogs, Social media, Online o BRIEF. Do you notice how much
newspaper, Virtual reality and Computer people put premium on length and on
games. the time, it would take for them to
● Language in new media is sometimes read an article in the net?
referred to as Computer-mediated o MULTIMODAL. This refers to the
communication (CMC), though it may layering of different digital media. All
also be called any of the following: texts, all communicative events, are
o Netspeak always achieved by means of multiple
o Computer-mediated discourse semiotic resources.
o Digital discourse o IDEOLOGICAL. N ew media is
o Electronic discourse inherently ideological, especially in
o E-communication terms of their political economies of
o Digitally mediated communication access and control. They are used to
o Keyboard-to-screen communication control people, and they are used to
resist control. This is quite apparent,
most especially through the symbolic COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES IN
power of the news and broadcast TECH-BASED COMMUNICATION
media. ● Modern technology did not only usher in
● Language use is not simply a way of new forms of language used in new
communicating, but a powerful media, but also paved the way on how
resource for representing (or communication takes place and how
manipulating) its users, especially the messages are presented.
young people - so called “digital natives”. ● Part of communication planning is
None of this is especially new; every deciding on the platform in which the
generation likes to “complain” about the message will be presented. In some
next generation’s communication cases, the use of technology will do
practices. wonders for your presentation.
● This is an important context in which ● Multimedia presentations often always
language can be seen taking place in require the use of technology, and
and around new media, and how it these, when used properly, can do
continues to evolve which every new wonders for your presentation. They are
technological revolution taking place. visually-oriented and allow
● Brevity - concise and exact use of words multimodality and the use of such
in writing or speech; shortness of time features as text, graphics, photos, audio,
animations, and video.
● There are a wide array of presentation
software and tools to choose from, some
of which are free and very user-friendly.
Regardless of the software or
technological tool that you use, there
are a few factors that you need to bear
in mind in using technology as an aid in
communication:
o Keep it simple. Avoiding including too
much information in a graphic or in
one slide. The message should be
immediate and clear. By keeping the
visual material simple, you also
maintain maximum personal contact
with your audience.
o Emphasize only on key ideas. When
you call attention to ideas with a
graphic presentation, make sure the
graphic clearly illustrates your
essential points and the important
COMMUNICATION PLANNING supporting data.
● The communication planning process o Show what you can’t say. The best use
involves defining the types of of visual media is to reveal material
information you will deliver, who are the you can’t easily describe orally or with
intended recipients of that written text. Graphics, photos, charts,
communication, the format for and illustrations can accomplish this
communicating it, and the timing of its objective.
release and distribution. o Keep the number of images you
● The key goal is to make sure everybody present manageable. Too many
gets the right message at the right time. images will tire your audience (so will
It serves various purposes: too much text). Eight to yen images
o To inform should be the maximum number for
o To persuade most presentations.
o To prevent misunderstanding o Combine variety with coherence. If
o To present a point of view or reduce you use several images, vary the
● Steps in Communication Planning design to make them interesting but
o Research and analyze current keep them aesthetically consistent.
situation o Use large lettering. Use large text font
o Establish goals and objectives (short sizes with minimal use of serifs so the
and long term) audience can read the text easily.
o Identify the target audience (what
they know, what influences them, COMMUNICATION FOR WORK PURPOSES
communication impediments, etc.) ORAL COMMUNICATION IN THE
o Conceptualize on key messages. WORKPLACE
o Strategize on communication styles ● The importance of oral communication
and platform(s) skill at the workplace is evident in
o Evaluate and anticipate various researches conducted among
organization executives, managers,
employees and trainees. These
researches have revealed that effective
oral communication skill takes the top
place among the business skills needed
in the company for its quality
performance.
● Oral communication skill in business is
highly valued. Without exception,
everybody in business needs it to
communicate details of information,
discuss strategies, map out plans, close
business agreements, work in teams, ● The said problems are considered
and deal with managers, employees, communication challenges. The terms
business partners, guests or clients. To refer to the problem when the manager
improve yourself, you also need does not provide feedback or coaching.
communication skills to help you initiate If there is no feedback, it means there is
personal plans, lead project no communication. Campbell echoed
undertakings, and solve pressing the idea of Leigh Branham, the author
problems. of 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave.
● Executives and managers need good She said, as quoted, that the root
communication skills to demonstrate problems of this issue are managers'
effective leadership, efficient inattention to people they supervise.
transaction, quality performance, and They provide irregular or nonexistent
excellent productivity. feedback. People get criticisms instead
● Successful businesses have gained their of praise. Worse is that feedback is not
good reputation because strong valued or valuable at all.
communication skills are fully
recognized and developed among
employees. However, some companies’
need for employees with effective
communication skill is all too often
unfulfilled. Some business transactions
miss the mark as business people fail to
convey a proper course of
communication.
ORAL COMMUNICATION IN THE
WORKPLACE
● Communication has always been
essential in any business’ growth and TOP COMMUNICATION ISSUES
development. As effective ● Campbell identified top ten
communication is needed to be able to communication issues that business
operate and become successful, communicators have to consider to
pressing challenges do interfere and are be able to avoid or solve them.
likely to affect your work and
1. Failure to Listen. Ineffective
communication in the future. listening is a big problem in
communication. Good
communication fails when one
doesn’t pay much attention or plan
what to say before one ends his
statement. To avoid it, speakers
have to emphasize the importance
● Business communicators have always of active listening in the discussion.
encountered communication problems. Also point out that inattentiveness
Some of these problems are sometimes results in a different understanding
hard to avoid or deal with. Andrea of the topic being discussed.
Campbell, author of Top 10 Team Speakers also have to maintain eye
Communication Issues and How to Avoid contact during the conversation or
Them, believes that poor discussion.
communication skills create business 2. Culture Differences. The diversity of
problems. backgrounds and cultural customs
● One of these is the team communication create communication issues
issues and problems among people at among team members and leaders.
work. Common cases being encountered People would just love to stay along
are those with coworkers: with people of the same
background. Hence, leaders face
challenges of grouping and team
communication hurdles. To avoid it,
try to promote “unity in diversity”
wherein team members have to be
assigned to different groups to team leaders or managers should
break the usual grouping. ensure that the issue on gender
3. Locale or Distance to Office. The choice is set aside in tackling issues
office location or its distance to its or taking courses of action for the
employees or contributors entail department. Speak about concerns
problems in the communication. without engaging in demeaning
The company usually resorts to oneself. Avoid gender-bias
email, phone or video conferencing. language or terms that connote
The very low level of interaction in gender. For example, use
electronic communication poses a chairperson for chairman or
communication barrier. It causes chairwoman.
misunderstanding and failures. To 8. Focus or Listening Problems.
solve it, meetings should be done at Inability of employees to focus on
the nearest venue and on a regular the issue is equivalent to listening
schedule. Important issues and problems. The generation gap is
solutions can be posted or sent to often the cause of communication
all for further knowledge and barriers that affects the
verification. achievement of department goals.
4. Ego and Attitude. Self-image or ego To help avoid it, leaders or
often affects a team's effort to managers have to initiate mutual
execute plans. One’s arrogance understanding regardless of age.
causes trouble, and more often, Encourage teamwork and unity
teamwork ends due to one’s despite differences of age, sex,
defiance. The presence of conflict is social status, and family
evident when someone displays background. Understand one’s
inequality or bias and doesn’t want weaknesses and capitalize on one’s
to take responsibility. To solve it, strengths.
the team leader or manager should 9. Inadequate Knowledge. Little
promote better understanding as knowledge is dangerous. Hence,
the group discusses the issue. He team performance is affected due
has to redirect the group to be able to ineffective education or lack of
to meet the goals. Calmness and understanding or other inadequate
tactfulness help reduce tension and knowledge foundation. To resolve it,
friction between or among team leaders or managers encourage
members. team members to upgrade
5. Authority or Hierarchy Problem. knowledge by pursuing higher
The authority that the team leader degree programs. Include in the
or manager demonstrates more annual target plan the
often creates intimidation or gaps participation of members to
with team members. To resolve, seminar, training or conferences.
managers or team leaders should Promote reading culture in the
promote harmonious relations department and productive focus
among the team members. group discussion.
Communicate to the members 10. Cliques, Groups, and Friendships.
about the intention of helping and Group membership or group
letting them feel they are important. affiliation or exclusive grouping of
And they can approach the team members can sometimes
managers for consultation or create segregation. To avoid it,
discussion on personal or promote teamwork spirit in the
work-related issues. department. Conduct team building
6. Poorly Written Communication. The activities to promote objectivity,
confusion or misunderstanding of teamwork, cooperation, and unity in
interoffice business communication diversity.
is due to poor content of written
documents, substandard PREPARING THE COVER/APPLICATION
organization, fractured grammar, LETTER
among other flaws in written ● A job application letter or a cover letter
interoffice materials. To avoid it, is like a sales letter in which you sell
ensure that documents are your knowledge and competence. This
well-edited and proofread by the contains little information of the job
best editor in the department. Allow which you are applying for, as well as
other eyes to check for mistakes in your strongest qualities and
grammar, spelling, punctuations, qualifications. It is the most essential
and organizations. part of the application as this is far
7. Gender Bias. The choice of which more than just a note saying “Please find
gender makes a more effective enclosed my CV.” Without a good cover
leader in the department is an issue letter, your résumé is unlikely to be read.
of gender bias. This gender ● Remember that your application letter is
discrimination creates problem in your selling factor. Your main goal is to
the organization. To avoid this, market yourself. Think about
competition: your judges are your ✔ The title of the job, source of
readers. They are professionals who your information and the statement
select and hire you. With hundreds or of your objective have to be clear.
thousands of applicants, make sure that ✔ There should be a summary of
your application letter has to stand-out. your qualifications for the job. This
Therefore, your application letter and includes work experience,
accompanying résumé have to attract educational background, and
professionals’ attention. Your final goal summary of relevant skills such as
is to get an interview. leadership skills, organizational
skills, and intercultural
communication skills.
✔ Indicate that you enclosed your
CV or résumé.
✔ Request for an interview. This
includes place and time you will be
available and the contact
information such as phone
numbers and email addresses.
✔ Identify the job. Include any
information that is not included in
your CV.
● Before submitting your application
letter, proofread it carefully. Free it
from grammatical mistakes and
organizational inconsistencies.
Check also for correct punctuations,
margins, spacing, and right letter
format.
● General guidelines for the overall
structure of your cover letter:
➢ Format your cover letter for post,
mail or email. It should consist of
one page only.
➢ Include your complete address,
email address, phone numbers.
➢ Use the title of the person when
you address him/her in the letter. If
you can’t find a name, write ‘Dear
Sir/Madam.’
➢ Use standard, easy-to-read font.
Make it readable. Times New Roman
or Arial is preferred; it should be no
smaller than 11 for readability on
● Make your cover letter unique screen.
o Be as specific as possible when
introducing your abilities and CONTENT OF THE COVER LETTER
qualifications; explain why: Try to ● The Introductory Paragraph. Your first
eliminate sentences that could be paragraph must be very convincing. It
written by anybody with the same tells your reader that you are the best
course. Specifics make you look person for the job. It also emphasizes
interested, well-informed, that you have the set of skills and
detail-oriented and most experience that make you the ideal
importantly, qualified. candidate for the post.
o Unify each body paragraph of your