The document outlines a homework assignment to develop a communication improvement strategy. It instructs the student to identify an area of communication that needs improvement, set a goal for improvement, develop a plan with specific steps to work towards the goal, and create a method to measure if the goal was achieved. For the plan, the student is asked to provide at least 4-5 numbered steps. The document provides a template and example for each section of the communication improvement strategy.

1. Week 1 – Homework
Part I:
1. Three competencies for which I feel I am currently strong
are:
(Explain why you feel it that way? Each section should be
written with at least three paragraphs (with a minimum of three
to four sentences each) of commentary, which is in addition to
any quoting from the listing you may choose to do. It may be
helpful to explain your thought process and provide examples to
give explanation to your descriptions of why you feel that way).
a. I look for meaning not only in words but also in nonverbal
behaviors. (Explain why you feel that way?)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
b. Because communication is inevitable, irreversible, and
unrepeatable, I look carefully for hidden meanings, am cautious
in communicating messages that I may later wish to withdraw,
and am aware that any communication act occurs but once.
(Explain why?)

2. c. Instead of looking at the punctuation patterns, I also look at
the patterns that others might be using in order to understand
better the meaning communicated. (Explain why?)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
a. Three competencies for which I feel I currently need
improvement are:
a. I am sensitive to the feedback and feedforward that I give to
others and that other gives to me. (Explain why you feel that
way?)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
b. I assess my channel options and evaluate whether my
message will be more effective if delivered face-to-face,
through e-mail, or by some third party, for example. (Explain
why?)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
c. I’m sensitive to contexts of communication. I recognize that
changes in physical, cultural, social– psychological, and
temporal contexts will alter meaning. (Explain why?)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Part II:
General Improvement Strategy Using one of the competencies
you felt needed improvement in Part I, develop an improvement
strategy that follows the Communication Improvement Strategy
Table in the weekly lesson. You should have clear labels for the
four main areas: problem, goal, plan, and test of measurability.
Communication Improvement Strategy Table
Steps in Sequence
Purpose
Example
1. Problem
(typically only one sentence)
This allows you to identify a challenge which begins your
improvement process.
· Whenever my spouse confronts me with something upsetting, I
constantly have a hard time not yelling.
· When working in a group of people who do not contribute to
the team as I would like, because I do not want to make anyone

5. feel bad.
· When providing someone criticism at work, I feel as though I
am not describing my impressions clearly enough for others to
understand.
2. Goal
(usually written as an infinitive beginning with the word “to”)
This states what you want to change or improve; it begins to
offer some solution and how you envision turning this challenge
into a success
· To address confrontations with my spouse in a more respectful
tone
· To find ways that break through my inhibitions and address
my observations of not meeting expectations to group members
· To use clearer and more specific language when providing
feedback to my colleagues
b. Plan
(often helpful to be written written as a numbered listing of at
minimum 4-5 steps)
This provides you with some direction about how you take
specific steps to address the problem and move toward the goal
in a structured sequence.
(In the interest of space, only the first problem is addressed in
this example)
· I will first focus on listening without jumping to reactions that
make me raise my voice with my spouse.
· I will then research and determine what are the most effective
options for me to respond in situations similar to what I have
experienced.
· Next, I will take what I have learned and begin to implement
the experts’ suggestions into practice conversations.
· I will then take what I have learned from rehearsals and that
procedure into place when I experience spousal confrontations.
c. Test of measurability
The test attaches accountability to your communication goals

6. and gives you a clear answer about whether or not you
accomplished your goal.
· I know I will have reached a more respectful level of
addressing spousal confrontations when we have at least 3
disagreements in a row where I am able to employ the options I
have found and not chosen to raise my voice inappropriately.
· I will have reached the next level of success when I am able to
address every under-performing member in a group individually
· I will have achieved my goal when I either:
· walk away from 80% of my feedback sessions with a strong
sense that my colleagues were able to understand the intentions
of my message OR
· receive overall positive, anonymous feedback on the group
post-mortem surveys on my next major project.
_____________________________________________________
______________________
_____________________________________________________
______________________
_____________________________________________________
______________________
______________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
______________________
_____________________________________________________
______________________
_____________________________________________________
________ ______________
_____________________________________________________
______________________
_____________________________________________________
______________________

7. _____________________________________________________
______________________
_____________________________________________________
______________________
______________________________________________
_____________________________