Sunday, November 9, 2008

Blog Post #7 - Final Reflection

I just cannot believe that we have finally come to the end of this semester. A 3000-point bidden module that I find it is worthwhile since I see myself improving from it despite the heavy workload from this module.

I would like to express my greatest gratitude towards Brad and everyone in the class, especially my project teammates Liang Fu, Kheng Aik and Joyce. I have never ever stayed for an academic project meeting that last me till 11pm in my entire course of my study, that was my first time staying so late for an academic project meeting and yet it was fun and unforgettable.


Thank you to Yuk Lam, Alethea and Kheng Aik for being my interviewers in the mock interview, making me nervous and uneasy.



I have to admit that ES2007S has provided me with a platform to learn to express myself convincingly and professionally in my writing as well as my speech. Additionally, I learnt how to justify an article, a blog or a report based on the 7 Cs principle, namely Courtesy, Correctness, Concreteness, Completeness, Coherence, Conciseness, and Clarity.

The skills builders and exercises in the tutorials have also provided me samples of professional format on resume, cover letter, meeting minutes, meeting agenda and project report which I can use as references in future.

Sky is the limit, this is not the end yet as I believe we still can sharpen our skills based on these basic principles that we learnt from ES2007S.

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Added on 10 November:

By looking back to the first post that I posted and integrating what I have learnt from ES2007S, I learnt how to tactfully minimize/prevent/solve conflicts that arise from misunderstanding based on what I have been taught and practiced in the class.

I will say this is a see-it first principle, is it sounds familiar with the saying, "All people who disagree with me are either ignorant or stupid"?
So one day, Bob disagreed with Mark. Mark initially thought it was a communication problem and tried to convince Bob by repeating slowly and loudly. Then he realized that Bob understood, but still disagreed! So, Mark concluded that Bob was stupid!

Bob, on the other hand, listened, tried to understand where Mark was coming from and actually started to see what he was saying. He still disagreed with Mark but he now had more power to better deal with the situation. He did not conclude that Mark was either ignorant or stupid - just different. This strategy to see-it first made the Bob a much more effective leader.


In case you don’t agree then try to 'see-it first' where the other person (by knowing your audience) is coming from before deciding your next steps.

13 comments:

yUk_lUm said...

Hi chunsiang!!

Firstly, I must tell you that my name is yuklum not yuklam haha! But its ok i forgive u LOL!

I agree totally that the 7Cs were very important!

Anyway, thanks for being our interviewee and letting us "torture" you.

yUk_lUm said...

oh anyway, can send me the pictures that you took?

Chun Siang said...

@: yuklum... sorry for that :p ~ Yes, 7Cs are really a comprehensive guide for us as a reference to write and to plan for a speech.

qwergo said...

Jacky you took photos! How cool ha. But yeah, it has been a good module and I'm sure all of us learnt a lot from Brad and from each other. You didn't mention about whether your view of effective communication skills have changed after this course though, perhaps you would like to talk a little about that?

Other than that, it was a pleasure being in the same class with you! See you around!

Wei Chung

Chun Siang said...

@ wei chung: yes, i have missed that !! thanks for reminding me, I'm glad to know you in class too.

Keep in touch even in facebook.:p

Kheng Aik said...

Hah! Wait till you experience a project meeting in which you have to stay overnight. Then, it will be really fun. Not to mention the partial hallucination state you will be in the next day as well.

Anyway, it has been a real pleasure working with you thus far. May you have a real pilot certificate in the near future. :)

Chun Siang said...

@ K.A.

No..pls. I don't want to experience staying overnight for a project meeting. :(

Max (Zong Neng) said...

Great Photos taken!

I do agree with you the importance of the 7Cs that is emphasize by the course. Thank you for your contribution in the class.

Gwen said...

HEY, I never saw you taking the photos! Haha.. Interesting!

yilei said...

I saw you taking photos but I thought they were taken for some other purposes, didn’t expect to see them here haha.

Yes I too feel that the interactive classes gave us numerous opportunities to express ourselves not only verbally but also in writings. And truly, constant polish of these basic skills is very important.

alibooboo said...

JACKY!!!
Were we really that scary!? *shows the peace sign* I liked talking to you during the interview. You knew alot about the job and came all prepared. So good job!
And I thought I saw you taking pictures during the presentations!!Thanks for the pictures, and do keep in touch!=]

Joycee said...

Hey! I really enjoy getting to know u class!

You actually seem quite different from how u look. My 1st impression of u is that u seem like a decent guy. However, now after talking to u, u are definitely more than a decent guy! So nv judge its book by the cover! Communication is the key to know what ppl are actually like just like how I know you're actually like!

Take care and see ya around dude! I will definitely get facebook sometime soon!

Brad Blackstone said...

You're right, Jacky, developing better communication skills is a lifelong project, not a one-term affair. But thank you for working so hard this term, and for being an important member of a very dynamic group. I appreciate all your efforts, in class, in blogging and on all the projects!

Thanks, too, for uploading the cool photos on your post! Can I steal the collage and place it on my blog as well?

Hey, all the best in your future endeavors! I'll see you on Facebook!