It pains me when I realised that this blogpost will be the final post. As the module – Career & Professional Development II comes to an end, I would like to reflect on the objectives I have set for myself since the start of this trimester.

Over the course of 12 weeks, the module has provided essential verbal and non-verbal communication skills through the various concepts and frameworks such as the 7Cs, Johari Window and the different ethical principles. Nonetheless, I felt that my module professor, Dr. Uma has truly made my learning journey an impactful one.

In my first blogpost, I have highlighted that some of my communication issues lies on me speaking too quickly and the tone of my voice may sound aggressive when voicing out during a discussion. However, through the professional advice from Dr. Uma, I found myself speaking at a slower pace with extra volume and energy to overcome my naturally soft voice. This has helped me to articulate my words better while keeping the audience engaged during my final presentation.

This could not be achieved without constant rehearsals with my Team – Team Jija. In addition, the peer review of the mock presentation provided me with the opportunity to improve myself from the feedbacks given by my peers. Although I felt that the presentation went smoothly, I still felt the nerve-wrecking feelings when I started speaking in front of the class. While this might have affected my presentation a little, I could see the improvements I have made as compared to my previous presentations.

As to improve on my tone during a discussion, there were many discussions in class that required me to discuss with my team. Such discussions include our opinions on certain concept such as the 7Cs and the Johari Window. With the progression of each discussion, I realised that I would listen to my teammates more before providing my inputs. This has resulted in me voicing out my opinions clearly without sounding aggressive.

To ensure continual improvements, I need to constantly remind myself to be motivated by my failures instead of brooding over it. Thus, with constant improvements, I am confident to become an effective communicator in the near future.

During my Industry Attachment (IA) at Grand Hyatt as a Sales Coordinator, I was forced to make a tough decision. Working in a department that has highly sensitive information, I was made to sign a non-disclosure (NDA) agreement with the company. During my course of IA, I was given a set of confidential information from my sales manager in which, she told me to not disclose this to anyone. The information involves a set of data, including sensitive information about discounts and other non-pricing concessions of our company. However, my aunt who was working in a competitor company called me up for a meetup. Upon her arrival, she passed me an expensive timepiece. Looking confused, I had an extremely bad feeling about this. Afterwhich, she went on to ask me about some of the confidential information about the company that I am working at. 

At that time, I was in a dilemma as my relationship with my aunt was extremely close and the timepiece was tempting as well. However, I have made decisions to reject the tempting offer and even told my sales manager what happened based on my ethical principles – Integrity and Honesty. The stakeholders involved at that point were my sales manager, my aunt and, myself.

If I had accepted my aunt’s offer, I could have received the expensive timepiece and foster a stronger bond with her. Furthermore, she may buy me even more expensive gift in the future. However, by disclosing the information to my aunt, I would be violating the NDA agreement. If the information is leaked and is known by my sales manager, my contract with the company would be terminated immediately and if things were to escalate, I might have to face legal consequences.

As my manager knew that I have declined the offer, my ethical behaviour would reflect a positive image on me, gaining his trust as an intern. Therefore, I have never once regretted my decision. 

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During one of my part-time job as a Banquet waitress at Holiday Inn, I experienced an interpersonal communication problem with my demanding supervisor that haunts me till today. Having four years of experience working there as a part-timer, I was appointed as the In-Charge for most events. It was a set-up for a wedding event the next day and my supervisor firmly delegated an order to me, ‘’Pei Ling, please follow the event order and set the tables accordingly.’’

Having thought that I have years of experience, I replied hastily with a simple nod without fully listening to his demand. I looked at the details – 18 Chinese table setting to be completed by 5:30PM. Knowing that it was only 12:00PM, I did not begin the set-up preparation immediately. I went to help my colleagues at another event next door as they were short-handed. My intention was to start the preparation at 2:00PM since the other event needed more help.   

About 1 hour later, my supervisor came shouting at me, “Why haven’t you started the set-up yet?!’’ The couple is already on their way. Go and set-up now!’’ Feeling confused and wrongly accused, I rushed to prepare the set-up.

After the incident, I felt that I needed to clarify the misunderstanding and so, I went to approach my supervisor.  He explained that the wedding event will be held the next day at 5:30PM. However, the couple will be coming down to check the set-up for the next day. That was when he handed the banquet event order and expected me to start the set-up immediately despite “to be completed by 5:30PM” indication.

This was when I realised that the problem lied in the communication of instructions from my supervisor to me. Additionally, my snobbish attitude thinking that I “know-it-all” resulted in such an issue to arise as I did not comprehend his demand fully from the beginning.

Taking a step to analyse the communication issue, I agree with all the feedbacks provided by my peers. I believe that it may be my fault as I failed to inform my supervisor that I would be helping my colleagues. In addition, I should have taken the effort to comprehend his demand fully instead of thinking that I “know-it-all” despite the years of experience working there. Hence, if such similar situation were to arise in the future, I would probe for more information and clarify the instructions by repeating the orders. I would also inform my superiors in making decisions to prevent any communication breakdown.

 (389 words)

During one of my part-time job as a Banquet waitress at Holiday Inn, I experienced an interpersonal communication problem with my demanding supervisor that haunts me till today. Having four years of experience working there as a part-timer, I was appointed as the In-Charge for most events. It was a set-up for a wedding event the next day and my supervisor delegated an order to me, ‘’Pei Ling, please follow the event order and set the tables accordingly.’’

I looked at the details – 18 Chinese table setting to be completed by 5:30PM. Knowing that it was only 12:00PM, I did not begin the set-up preparation immediately. I went to help my colleagues at another event next door as they were short-handed. My intention was to start the preparation at 2:00PM since the other event needed more help.   

About 1 hour later, my supervisor came shouting at me, “Why haven’t you started the set-up yet?!’’ The couple are already on their way. Go and set-up now!’’ Feeling confused and wrongly accused, I rushed to prepare the set-up.

After the incident, I felt that I needed to clarify the misunderstanding and so, I went to approach my supervisor.  He explained that the wedding event will be held the next day at 5:30PM. However, the couple will be coming down to check the set-up for the next day. That was when he handed the banquet event order and expected me to start the set-up immediately despite “to be completed by 5:30PM” indication.

This was when I realised that the problem lied in the communication of instructions from my supervisor to me.

Hence, I would like to ask the readers: What do you think could have done better to prevent such miscommunication from happening?

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Dear Dr. Uma,

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Teo Pei Ling, a hospitality business undergraduate from Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). I am writing this email to express my educational and professional experience, my communicational strengths and weaknesses as well as my goals for this module.

Prior to joining SIT, I graduated from Temasek Polytechnic (TP) with a diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management. During my course of study in TP, I have completed a 6 months internship with SingEx Exhibitions as a Marketing Coordinator. As the company is very receptive to new ideas, I was able to showcase my full potential through the creation of attractive brochures and banners for both exhibitors and visitors, upholding their yearly exquisite branding efforts.

During this industry attachment, communicating with the different departments of various personalities and demographics was crucial to get the tasks completed. This aids in identifying my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to communication.

I believe that my communicational strengths include being an active listener and open-minded. I would listen attentively to different opinions and am very receptive with feedbacks to improve myself. While these strengths helped me tremendously in getting along with the people in my workplace, it differs substantially when engaging with my peers. I often find myself speaking too quickly and the tone of my voice may sound aggressive while trying to get a point during a discussion. This sometimes, causes the whole mood to be heated. 

With that, my goals for this module are to develop traits that I am currently lacking, especially my presentation skills. I also wish to eliminate my weaknesses and articulate my words clearly to everyone.

Thank you for taking your valuable time to read this email.

Yours Sincerely,

Teo Pei Ling

Hospitality Business, B (Hons)

Singapore Institute of Technology

HP: +65 9682920 | 1801731@sit.singaporetech.edu.sg

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