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COMM301

Week 13: Workplace Relationships & Feedback

Week 13 Summary

Week Summary

This week we explored the complexities of workplace relationships and developed skills for giving and receiving feedback effectively. We examined how communication flows across organizational levels and how power dynamics shape workplace interactions.

Key Takeaways

  • 1Workplace relationships exist on a spectrum from professional acquaintances to genuine friendships, each with different norms
  • 2Professional boundaries are thoughtful guidelines that protect relationships while allowing genuine connection
  • 3The SBI model (Situation-Behavior-Impact) provides structure for clear, constructive feedback
  • 4Receiving feedback requires managing defensiveness, asking clarifying questions, and focusing on actionable insights
  • 5Awareness of power dynamics - formal and informal - helps us communicate more effectively across organizational levels

Coming Up Next Week

Next week, we'll explore the 'dark side' of interpersonal communication - harmful patterns like deception, manipulation, and toxic relationship dynamics. Understanding these patterns helps us recognize and protect ourselves from harmful communication.