Communication Diversity and the Human Services Worker

Communication Diversity and the Human Services Worker Communication Diversity and the Human Services Worker Introduction Effective communication is more than just passing information from one person to another, we communicate both verbally and non-verbally (Howard 1991) in addition, we all hunger for contact that is meaningful. A communicator enters into relationships with other people (Gamble Gamble 2008). Healthy communication is essential, we all like to be valued and heard, and it is fundamental to all people from all facets of life and in all sectors of society (Bolton 1987, p. 4). Daily, human services workers encounter a diverse range of people, from colleagues to clients, professionals, and the public. Therefore, responding appropriately is necessary for effective communication to occur. Communication is never neutral (Tyler, Kossen Ryan 2005, p. 26) furthermore, we construct our world view from our own point of view as well as the point of view of the culture or society that we inhabit (Tyler, Kossen Ryan). Hence, there can be barriers to effective communication when class and low socio-economic circumstances are present. There is a tendency for Australians to look down on low-income earners and those receiving government benefits. To some, a low-income earner has less value because the belief is that they are non-contributors to the wealth and growth of Australian society. While this occurs less in the human services industry than in general, none the less it still occurs. Terms used within the community such as dole bludger have a negative connotation, and present difficulties that impact in an unconstructive manner on low income earners who may already be feeling guilty about their inability to find employment. Careless terms, labels, and negative attitudes build resentment, which has consequences that can flow on from clients to their families, whether from ill health, crime, family breakdowns, or drug and alcohol problems. Ineffective communication causes an interpersonal gap that is experienced in all facets of life and in all sectors of societyeven death results when communication breaks down (Bolton 1987, p.4). Covey (1989, p. 239) states, Unless you are influenced by my uniqueness, Im not going to be influenced by your advice therefore, building effective emotional bank accounts (Covey, p. 239) is crucial for successful communication to occur. This essay will address issues that confront human services workers and the challenges they face when working with unemployed people from low socio-economic backgrounds. Situation Australia is supposed to be an egalitarian society but increasingly it is becoming a nation of haves and have nots. The divide between rich and poor continues to expand (Barrett, Crossley Worswick 1999; The Age 1999, cited in Healey 2001). Stratification based on economic and social position is becoming a part of the Australian identity (Hartley 2002). The success of some at the expense of others has also seen growing resentment by those on welfare who see themselves as victims (The Weekend Australian 2000, p. 23, cited in Healey 2001). Hegemony refers to the dominant classes maintenance of social and cultural domination over others (OSullivan et al. 1983). It forces people to hand over their power either consciously or unconsciously by creating a power bloc (OSullivan, p. 102). Government agencies such as Centrelink, job network centres, and training institutions, which in theory are neutral and are there to represents everybody often exercise their power to achieve hidden company outcomes. As the dominant economic class, they look after the interests of the company first and their clients needs often become secondary. Unequal power relationships that influence the manner in which people communicate with each other are easy to develop and difficult to dismantle. The exchange between senders and receivers is an active encounter in which participants frequently occupy positions of unequal power (Kress 1988, p15). Those on the receiving end feel diminished, unheard, and often defensive. Negative stereotypes on both sides are liable to increase, and self-fulfilling prophecies and conflict occurs because of ineffective communication. There is growing concern about welfare dependency and the impact this is having on the economy. There is a shift in government policy, the emphasis now is that those on welfare must accept more responsibility for their economic circumstances (Saunders 2005). Community service workers understand that participation in order to lead a rich meaningful life within the community it is necessary to have a healthy self-esteem. They are aware that social exclusion and unemployment deny people the opportunity to participate (Saunders). Approach Reading body language, paying attention to details and clear effective communication require well developed skills that human service workers need to keep in mind when working with clients. When communication, the life blood of every relationship (Bolton 1987, p. 6) is positive, it creates nurturing fulfilling relationships. As fifty-five percent of all communication consists of body language (Hargie Dickson 2004, p. 46), particular attention to non-verbal communication skills is required. Non-verbal communication such as a sneer, a sense of distain, or body language that is closed, communicates indifference, which can be as damaging as a verbal confrontation. As a human services worker it is essential that the clients your there to assist do not feel ostracised by the agencies assigned to help them. Human service workers must be conscious of non-verbal behaviour, their own and their clients because non-verbal behaviour often contains significant, misleading, and undeclared messages (Baney 2004). How people dress, their posture, eye contact and how they walk all convey meaning, and reveal to the observer a myriad of information. Cultural differences need to need recognition, studies show that African Americans and white Americans gaze in opposite directions when spoken to (Hargie 2006), Indigenous Australians also avoid eye contact. Avoid judgements because for clients to develop a healthy self-concept, judgement does not have to be verbal to be experienced. Judgement is one of the major roadblocks to successful communication (Rogers cited in Bolton 1987, p.17). Most people fear rejection and the surest way to create it in relationships with people is through judgement and criticism. Our sense of self develops through our interactions with others, we are social beings, and developing self-awareness is an important step in understanding ourselves and other people (Gamble Gamble 2008). Our self-concept and self-image is often warped and unbalanced, often how we see ourselves differs from how others see us. Our culture teaches us to repress our feelings, and many people are unaware of what emotionally, is actually occurring inside of them (Bolton 1987). A new counsellor may want to help clients avoid painful emotions, but emotional release encourages healing processes to occur (Geldard Geldard 1998, p. 50). An effective counsellor has the capacity to help their clients to feel what is happening within them, by either understanding what the client is verbally expressing, or transmitting by body language. By assisting clients whose body language maybe conveying feelings of inadequacy or inferiority, a human services worker, can bring to their clients attention factors that their clients maybe unaware of, and hence the client can begin to address them. Human service workers must be aware that giving advice can create interfere-iority complex (Bolton 1987, p. 22) and they must avoid giving advice but rather assist clients to find solutions. How something is expressed alters reactions, and those with low self-esteem often expect criticism from others, and possibly will read into statements meaning that was never there (Bolton 1987). Human service workers have the ability to reflect feelings back to the speaker, and are in a position to offer assistance that can and does make a difference in peoples lives. Building self-esteem can mean the difference between employment and continuing unemployment for a client, as a positive relationship exists between career development and the ability to communicate effectively (Bolton 1987, Gamble Gamble 2008). Therefore, human services workers are required to have skills that go beyond those of basic communication. Listening, assertion, conflict-resolution, and collaborative problem solving skills (Bolton 1987) are strengths that assist practitioners successfully negotiate interpersonal communication. As Bolton says low-level communication, leads to ineffectiveness, both at work and in personal communication, consequently by developing effective intercommunication skills it will lead to increased competence in all areas of life. Listening skills are required for successful communication, paraphrasing lets the listener know that you understand what the speaker has said. It allows the listener to comprehend the context of what the speaker said, and therefore the speaker knows understanding has been achieved. Communication skills require empathy and genuineness and need to affirm and validate peoples experiences (Kenny, 1994). Attending skills, following skills and reflective skills (Bolton 1987) are all a part of listening and allow the listener to demonstrate a clear understanding of what the speaker has conveyed. Listening allows a counsellor to bring to the attention of clients the negative self-talk they may use. Clients can then overcome barriers and create for themselves employment opportunities previously denied with knowledge, new skills, and understanding. Conclusion Human service workers are at the forefront in developing new programs aimed at increasing participation within the workforce. They are working for government and job network agencies on programs that address issues such as appearance, attitude, and communication styles. They are aware that sending solutions (Bolton 1987, p.20) rather than assisting clients to come to their own conclusions are barriers to empowerment that could undermine a clients motivation. Eighty percent of people who fail at work do so for one reason: they do not relate well to other people (Bolton 1987, p. 7). Human service workers are adopting principals, with the intention of addressing this problem. They know that with the correct assistance the downward spiral that creates unemployment, class stigma, and low income is reversible. By assisting low-income earners and unemployed people to understand how their verbal and non-verbal cues are preventing them from leading fulfilling lives can help motivate people to change. Methods learnt as a child can be undone and the barriers broken so that they can participate in a meaningful way, to live fulfilling personal and social lives, as well as gaining employment. Skill building workshops, training workshops, and counselling aimed at improving interpersonal relations are a practical solution in assisting clients to gain the skills required to communicate effectively. The flow on from that comes from learning how communication barriers lead to anger, ineffectual and damaging social relationships and that a clearer understanding will empower, and assists the disadvantaged members of society. Creating a ripple effect that will be of benefit to the wider community. Communication is our link to the rest of humanity (Gamble Gamble 2008, p.5), therefore as workers in the human services industry by helping clients to win, ultimately we all share the rewards. References Baney, J 2004, Guide to interpersonal communication. Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Barrett, G, Crossley, T Worswick, C 1999, Consumption and income inequality in Australia, Centre for Economic Policy Research, Australian National University Discussion Paper no.40. Bolton, R 1987, People skills, Simon and Schuster, NSW. Covey, SR 1989, 7 habits of highly effective people, Simon and Schuster, New York. Gamble, TK Gamble, M 2008, Communication works, McGraw-Hill, New York. Geldard, D Geldard, K 1998, Reflection of feelings, in Basic personal counselling, Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest, pp. 49-58. Hargie, O 2006, Skill in practice: An operational model of communicative performance, in O. Hargie (ed.), The handbook of communication skills, Routledge, London, pp. 37-70. Hargie, O Dickson, D 2004, Nonverbal communication, in Skilled interpersonal communication: research theory, and practice, Routledge, London, pp. 43-66. Hartley, J 2002, Communication cultural and media studies, Routledge, London. Healey, J (ed.) 2001, The wealth divide, Issues in Society, vol 141, The Spinney Press, NSW. Howard, G 1991, Can you put it on a t-shirt? David Charles, London. Kenny, S 2007, Developing communities for the future, Thompson, Victoria. Kress, G 1988, Communication and culture, in G. Kress (ed.), Communication and culture, New South Wales University Press, NSW. OSullivan, T, Hartley, J, Saunders, D Fiske, J, 1983, Key concepts in communication, Routledge, London. Saunders, P 2005, Welfare to work in practice, in P.Saunders (ed.), Welfare to work in practice social security and participation in economic and social life, Ashgate, Hants, England, pp. 1-7. Tyler, S, Kossen, C Ryan, C, 2005, Theories of communication, in Communication: a foundation course, Pearson Education Aust., Frenchs Forest, NSW, pp. 16-26.

Rating Othello Essay example -- Othello essays

Rating Othello  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Is this Shakespearean tragedy Othello at the top of the rating chart, or is it just near the top? And why? This essay intends to examine various aspects of this subject, along with critical opinion.    This play ranks near the top. The Bard’s presentation of emotions, character, of good and evil actions that are down-to-earth – these are sometimes seen as the main reasons for the high ranking of Othello. Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar in â€Å"The Engaging Qualities of Othello† maintain that the popularity of this play has been consistent for about 400 years because    it treats emotions that are universal and persistent in human nature. Its characters do not exist on a plane far removed from ordinary life; we are not asked to witness the conflict of kings and conspirators beyond the experience of everyday people; we are not involved in the consequences of disasters on a cosmic scale; what we witness is a struggle between good and evil, the demonstration of love, tenderness, jealousy, and hate in terms that are humanly plausible. (126)    The realistic aspect of the play presents a full range of characters, a full range of emotions, a full range of motivations, a full range of actions – just as are present in real society. The down-to-earth, realistic consideration is very important to Othello’s enduring popularity.    Francis Ferguson in â€Å"Two Worldviews Echo Each Other† ranks the play Othello quite high among the Bard’s tragedies:    Othello, written in 1604, is one of the masterpieces of Shakespeare’s â€Å"tragic period.† In splendor of language, and in the sheer power of the story, it belongs with the greatest. But some of its admirers find it too savage [. . .]. (1... ...d Nothing.† Essays on Shakespeare. Ed. Gerald Chapman. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1965.    Heilman, Robert B. â€Å"The Role We Give Shakespeare.† Essays on Shakespeare. Ed. Gerald Chapman. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1965.    Levin, Harry. General Introduction. The Riverside Shakespeare. Ed. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1974.    Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.    Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. â€Å"The Engaging Qualities of Othello.† Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Rpt. from Introduction to The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. N. p.: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1957.      

Hp Swot Matrix

HP SWOT Strengths of HP 1. Global presence. 2. Strong brand image with high quality of product and service. 3. Providing customers service with specific technical support. 4. Successful Strategic Acquisitions. Hewlett-Packard has strong financial condition. Hewlett-Packard is a global company and became world’s biggest computer hardware. The growth of 26% in the Americas; 28% world-wide percent in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; and 16 percent in Asia Pacific and Japan with the broad-based global recovery (HP Annual Report, 2010).Hewlett-Packard is maintaining the No. 1 position in worldwide market share, as well as healthy average selling prices. Hewlett-Packard is differentiating through remarkable product design and customer experience from the range of high-end gaming PCs to sleek, powerful notebooks to fashion-inspired netbooks and innovative smartphones (HP Annual Report, 2010). Hewlett-Packard has its own support organizations to provide customers service with spec ific technical support.Hewlett-Packard can provide end-to-end IT solution, including infrastructure technology, business process outsourcing, technology support and maintenance, application development and support services and consulting and integration service. Hewlett-Packard continues on recognizing and capitalizing on strategic acquisitions. The company’s major mergers and acquisitions in recent past include Compaq Computer Corporation in 2002. In April of 2010, Hewlett-Packard announced to buy Palm for 1. 2 Billion. It increases its competitiveness therefore creates value for investors and customers of the company.Weaknesses of HP 1. Weak Market Segment Integration 2. Over rely on three-party supplier 3. R&D department has significantly less investments 4. Not comprehensive product portfolio HP lack presence in some segments. Comparing to its major competitors, such as Accenture, EMC and IBM, HP’s portfolio offers less significant on software product or manage con sulting services. Also, according to HP 2010 annual report, it has a great preformance on enterprise customer market but weak at small-scale market. HP over rely on three party supplier.HP's procurement expenditures for materials, manufacturing and assembly of HP's products all over the world. The suppliers includes contract manufacturers, electronic manufacturing services providers, original design manufacturers, and commodity suppliers. It is would be compliated and difficult to remain the relationships with the suppliers. HP invest less on R&D, compare to historical spending. HP does not develop the new technology for new product. Althoug HP has its brand smart phone, however, this properly attributes to the acquiring Compaq. For the smart phone technology, HP is leaved behind its competitors.Thus, they trend to acquire Palm. HP’s competitiveness mainly focus on 14. 1 inch notebook, however, the 15. 4 inch notebook is the current second largest market need. HP product line lack of attention on 15. 4 inch notebook. And also HP hardly focus to 13. 3 inch product. However, those size of notebook is the market need. It seems HP has not comprehensive product portfolio. Threats of HP †¢ Hyper-competition in IT market †¢ High bargaining power of Smartphone market †¢ Slowdown in economic conditions in US †¢ Foreign currency exchange rate Although Hewlett-Packard is maintaining the No. position in worldwide market share, some of the companies as a formidable competitor threatened in IT market such as Toshiba, Lenova Group and Aver. They compete in terms of price, quality, brand, technology, reputation, distribution and also range of other products. Hewlett-Packard wants to redevelop their Smartphone market, but they lack of this experience and technology. Hence, compare with Apple, Google, it still has a lot of space to improve and catch up. So this is the high bargaining power in Smartphone market when they want to expand this market.The economic slowdown has negatively affected many market segments, including information technology. Hewlett Packard has experienced this decline not only in the U. S. but also in its global markets. Worldwide spending on IT was predicted to decline by 4% in 2009. Foreign currency exchange rate is one of the external factors that we cannot expect. It is the big threat when foreign currency exchanges rate changes, it might influence the cost of production or the selling price in different countries. Opportunities of HP †¢ High growth rate of Smartphone market †¢ Change of lifestyle Change of consumer spending †¢ Innovation of 3C(Computer, Communication, Consumer Electronic) products The Smartphone market is having the high growth rate of nowadays. According to the researcher ISuppli Corp. , the global Smartphone shipments may increase 36 percent to 247 million in 2010. The high growth rate can reflect the demand of Smartphone is also high for customers. The lifestyle of p eople is change that they will more enjoy the online social with others. The online social is one part of daily life of many citizens. Internet is very important for citizen to keep connect with others online.The relative products were useful for them to keep online, such as Net-book, Smartphone. The spending custom of customer is change to spending more. They are more emphasized on the quality and function of the product more than price. The purpose of consumer is also change from useful to habit and symbolize of 3C products. The change of IT products is fastest of nowadays environment. The innovation of product and system improvement is very important for 3C products. The successful innovation product can be come a trendy of customer to buy and follow. Customers are easy to substitute the old product by new product in 3C product markets.

Big Business and The Robber Barons Essay - 1473 Words

The decades after the Civil War rapidly changed the face of the United States. The rapid industrialization of the nation changed us from generally agrarian to the top industrial power in the world. Business tycoons thrived during this time, forging great business empires with the use of trusts and pools. Farmers moved to the cities and into the factories, living off wages and changing the face of the workforce. This rapid industrialization created wide gaps in society, and the government, which had originally taken a hands off approach to business, was forced to step in. Many individuals took advantage of the rapid industrialization and high influx of cheap labor in the form of immigrants. Among these entrepreneurs were John D.†¦show more content†¦Cornelius Vanderbilt was a steamship and railroad tycoon. He made millions in the steamship business before turning to the promising railroad industry. He began to take capital from the steamship business to buy railroads, starting with the New York and Harlem Railroad in 1862. Vanderbilt eventually amassed over $100 million from his railroad empire and his wealth and power was virtually untouchable. He was a ruthless businessman, once saying to a competitor â€Å"You have undertaken to cheat me. I wont sue you, for the law is too slow. I will ruin you.† His New York Central rail line operated from New York to Chicago along more than 4,500 miles of track at the time of his death. George Pullman was the developer of the Pullman Palace Car, creating his own factory town of Pullman, Chicago. With the massive success of the railroads, Pullman made a fortune producing his luxury sleeping cars. He is well known for suppressing his striking workers in Pullman. When a depression struck the country, he slashed wages the wages of his workers while keeping the wages of his associates and the price of living the same. This created uproar and led to a strike amongst his workers, eventually backed by Eugene Debs’ American Railway Union. The strike was violently put down, showing that labor unions had little power to negotiate. These five industrialists and entrepreneurs took advantage of the industrializing America and becameShow MoreRelatedThe Myth Of Robber Barons By Burton W. Folsom1141 Words   |  5 PagesMyth of the Robber Barons by Burton W. Folsom The Myth of Robber Barons is a short, but excellent book that talks about the entrepreneurs of early America. It argues against the misconception that the successful businessmen of the 19th century, often called the â€Å"robber barons†, amassed a big fortune by robbing the general public, whereas, they became wealthy because they offered good quality products and services at low prices which in turn attracted so many Americans to do business with them. 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