ENC 3250, Fall 2015 Week 5 Slide 1 of 8 Feedback Mechanisms Feedback may be defined as “the use of output to affect or control input” Concept used in many fields … clinical psychology, neurology, biology, robotics, computer science, audio engineering, and cybernetics (see Important tool for understanding how we listen and learn from others and ourselves Feedback may be defined as “the use of output to affect or control input” Concept used in many fields … clinical psychology, neurology, biology, robotics, computer science, audio engineering, and cybernetics (see Important tool for understanding how we listen and learn from others and ourselves

ENC 3250, Fall 2015 Week 5 Slide 2 of 8 Listening to Ourselves Why so difficult? Why are skill and practice needed? What can be gained? Why so essential for ethics, civility, commerce, and communication? Practical aids for you as a writer + professional: Audio recorder Unbiased review by a “stranger” (most co-workers won’t be honest with you) Time and distance away from your draft Quantitative measurements (e.g., customer surveys) Why so difficult? Why are skill and practice needed? What can be gained? Why so essential for ethics, civility, commerce, and communication? Practical aids for you as a writer + professional: Audio recorder Unbiased review by a “stranger” (most co-workers won’t be honest with you) Time and distance away from your draft Quantitative measurements (e.g., customer surveys)

ENC 3250, Fall 2015 Week 5 Slide 3 of 8 Listening to Others: Empathy & Order Effective communication = respect for others Respect is based on creative grasp of similarities Successful business and in fact civilization itself arise not from violence or threats but from one mind freely sending to and receiving from another Why do repressive regimes or authoritarian enterprises fear independent thinkers and a literate, informed populace? Effective communication = respect for others Respect is based on creative grasp of similarities Successful business and in fact civilization itself arise not from violence or threats but from one mind freely sending to and receiving from another Why do repressive regimes or authoritarian enterprises fear independent thinkers and a literate, informed populace?

ENC 3250, Fall 2015 Week 5 Slide 4 of 8 Feedback or Feedforward? Egomaniacs are people who are emotionally deaf to others News interviewers: do they really listen? No patience for an answer (how many teachers and bosses are guilty of this?) Trying to control communication by “feedforward” What happens when you do this as a manager? Egomaniacs are people who are emotionally deaf to others News interviewers: do they really listen? No patience for an answer (how many teachers and bosses are guilty of this?) Trying to control communication by “feedforward” What happens when you do this as a manager?

ENC 3250, Fall 2015 Week 5 Slide 5 of 8 Relevance to Professional Communications Feedback = conscious, careful effort to understand impact on reader/listener, customer, co-worker, supervisor Working within formal structure (memo, letter, report, proposal, white paper, speech) Implied contract (agreement) between sender and receiver No true freedom without law / structure / rules Requires respect for the power of language Feedback = conscious, careful effort to understand impact on reader/listener, customer, co-worker, supervisor Working within formal structure (memo, letter, report, proposal, white paper, speech) Implied contract (agreement) between sender and receiver No true freedom without law / structure / rules Requires respect for the power of language

ENC 3250, Fall 2015 Week 5 Slide 6 of 8 Apply These Thoughts to Assignment 2 (Reprimand) Empathy is crucial for understanding and managing every type of employee Getting the best out of people requires clear, honest, direct messages … both corrections and kudos Like orchestra conductors, managers must understand the job challenges of every team member or performer reporting to them Managing expectations simply means controlling communications Empathy is crucial for understanding and managing every type of employee Getting the best out of people requires clear, honest, direct messages … both corrections and kudos Like orchestra conductors, managers must understand the job challenges of every team member or performer reporting to them Managing expectations simply means controlling communications

Assignment 2 Reminders Due via , not Canvas, by Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, 6 pm (include audio codes for Weeks 3, 4, and 5 within body of , not on the attached document) Choose the correct file name and subject line: Lastname_3250_2_markup.docx: if you want detailed marks and comments (must revise and return within one week -- this is optional, not required) Lastname_3250_2.docx: if you want simply a grade posted on Canvas Review the following carefully before submitting: Assignment instructions Memo formatting guide in syllabus (page 14) Sample reprimand on website USAGE TIPS at end of syllabus Proofread the written document and listen to your audio recording of it to identify and eliminate weaknesses Due via , not Canvas, by Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, 6 pm (include audio codes for Weeks 3, 4, and 5 within body of , not on the attached document) Choose the correct file name and subject line: Lastname_3250_2_markup.docx: if you want detailed marks and comments (must revise and return within one week -- this is optional, not required) Lastname_3250_2.docx: if you want simply a grade posted on Canvas Review the following carefully before submitting: Assignment instructions Memo formatting guide in syllabus (page 14) Sample reprimand on website USAGE TIPS at end of syllabus Proofread the written document and listen to your audio recording of it to identify and eliminate weaknesses ENC 3250, Fall 2015 Week 5 Slide 7 of 8

ENC 3250, Fall 2015 Week 5 Slide 8 of 8 Reminders (continued) Why worry about errors? Because they weaken the authority and professionalism of your message Examples of incorrect usage: 1) The boss will dock the pay of anyone who took their laptop outdoors to the patio. 2) The department’s moral has never been higher. 3) He became a more effective manger after improving his communications ability. See other examples in the USAGE TIPS at the end of the ENC 3250 syllabus Perform quizzes here that are relevant to you: Why worry about errors? Because they weaken the authority and professionalism of your message Examples of incorrect usage: 1) The boss will dock the pay of anyone who took their laptop outdoors to the patio. 2) The department’s moral has never been higher. 3) He became a more effective manger after improving his communications ability. See other examples in the USAGE TIPS at the end of the ENC 3250 syllabus Perform quizzes here that are relevant to you: