Genesis Pearson
IU Communication Studies
This course required blog entries. Below are the entries I submitted and my final group project for the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care.
Blog Entries
Blog 1: Analysis of an Excellent Communicator
September 26, 2025
Trying to find an example of a good communicator, personally, was extremely difficult. Finding an excellent communicator? Nearly impossible. Usually, I am the friend or family member who demonstrates the necessary communication skills whether it’s sending reminder messages, helping with planning events, or putting together a group project. Reflecting on this assignment's purpose, I realize it’s not totally their fault. Communication is a strenuous process and is a hard skill to master.
One of the settings where communication is most prevalent is during places of work so the person I chose as an excellent communicator is actually my boss (this is totally not an attempt to get a raise). In fact, coming from past food based customer service positions, I didn’t really know what a good manager looked like. Another realization I had was how did I define what a good communicator looks like? After observing my manager’s interactions, the qualities I consider most important include active listening and empathy.
Allegion's brand and values are heavily structured in employee life. Photos : Allegion site
Communication heavily aligns with our multiple identities. As a manager, her communication to her subordinates has to be different than when she is communicating with other managers, to her supervisor, or with personal relatives and friends. This is because her position holds her at a higher standard and can even intertwine with her identity. According to Communication in Everyday Life, “People also transact multiple identities given the many different relationships shared with others” (Duck and McMahan 22). Managers also have more responsibility since they are the head of a team. The way she communicates will affect our trust in her, our productivity, and engagement. So, let's get into how my manager embodies excellent communication.
One of the most important aspects of communication is active listening. Many do not know the difference between listening and active listening but this is an important distinction. In conversation, most people spend their time thinking about how they will respond. Active listening emphasizes engagement. Kiye (my manager) demonstrates this through multiple facets: being attentive, asking clarifying questions, summarizing what she understands, reflecting on what was said, and then responding. Being attentive mostly focuses on body language and brain usage. She holds eye contact and makes sure her focus is on you. She asks a lot of questions to fully understand the topic of conversation and will summarize her understanding to make sure it is accurate. She also reflects on the conversation before speaking to allow her to have time to sit with the information and process it before responding.
The second aspect that I think is important is empathy. Empathy is a broad term but connects to other necessary characteristics such as validation and problem solving. Showing empathy means being able to understand the other person and where they are coming from. This connects to validation which allows others to feel heard and that their feelings or thoughts are important to others. Finally, problem solving branches from empathy as it allows us to attempt at a solution once it is fully understood. Kiye demonstrates this every day, but an example would be best to illustrate her skills.
During the summer I was informed that I would have to switch from being an online student to taking in person classes because of my status as a senior which provided less flexibility because I needed specific credits to fulfill. I anxiously tried to come up with a solution with the university. I messaged professors and tried to find other online classes that would fulfill these requirements to no avail. Eventually, I had to accept the conclusion that I would need to have a discussion with my manager to come to a solution. I work a basic 9-5 job, 40 hours a week. I was convinced that I would be fired. Instead, Kiye sat and listened to my issue. She said she was sorry that the school was being so difficult and that she could tell I was anxious. She said not to worry because she was willing to work with me because she wanted me to get my degree. So she helped me to solve the conflict by allowing me to go to class during my lunch breaks and make up for any time I missed after the allotted lunch time.
In one of our class discussions, we mentioned that some principles of verbal communication are that words are powerful and that you can word a message multiple ways. Being an active listener will enable you to carefully formulate a response best suited to the situation and having empathy will allow a deeper understanding of the message being conveyed. Excellent communicators seem to be a rare breed but it is even better when it is found in an integral communication system such as a manager.
Blog 2: Miscommunication
October 30, 2025
You may be the best communicator who ever graced the planet, but despite this miscommunication is an inevitable part of the process. Without it we would not have reason to study or jobs to attain. One of the biggest sources of communication mishaps happens in an experience almost everyone is familiar with: group projects. Group projects are useful resources where students can attain skills in collaboration, feedback, and problem solving. This being said, they can also be the bane of our existence. People can be difficult or unresponsive which makes our job much more difficult (which is ironic being from communication majors). The experience listed below explores issues concerning group cohesiveness, group think, and interdependence.
The Problem
The issue I will be drawing from is a recent personal experience I had in my Communication Theory class. The group project was for an exam where we had to answer five questions in a conversation based setting. This conversation had to be recorded and at least 30 minutes long. The professor was travelling but gave us two class periods to record it in his absence. During the first class period I show up a little early and get anxious as it gets closer to the normal class time and remained to be the only person in the room. Confused, I headed toward the common area to find one other person in the class but was not in my group. About 45 minutes passed before another group member showed up and another 10 passed when the third showed (our fourth member never showed). This left us with about 25 minutes to figure out what to do about the group exam. Since we had similar conversation formats in class frequently I figured it would be fine if we refreshed on the topics and just recorded the natural conversation during the next meeting availability. One group member who is particularly anxious suggested setting it up differently where each group member answers the question and makes their own question to connect to the previous question. During our next free class period, I was there early again with only one other member. The other group members arrived late again and we clumsily went through the questions. Some members had to prolong their answer to make the minimum time length.
Analysis
Overall, the cohesiveness of our group was not very high. We were functioning on last minute preparation and confusing directions. Despite the confusing directions, we went with this plan anyway in order to keep the peace. This contributes to other topics of group settings such as group think. Group think places higher priorities on running smoother processes and being agreeable rather than voicing contradictory opinions. Even though I thought it would be more beneficial to refamiliarize ourselves with each topic and record the natural conversation I did not voice my opinion because another member went along with the original confusing idea. Another large part that affected this miscommunication was our interdependence. Group work relies on some form of interdependence. For our case, we relied on each other to attend our meetings, have an answer for their questions, provide a connector question, and provide conversation about each topic. Our interdependence was a little rocky since the attendance and understanding of the expectations were not as reliable or clear. For a group project to run smoothly, group think should be considered but not strictly followed. The tension and chaos could have been avoided if one of us spoke our minds and provided a better solution.
Photos : Wix stock
Blog 3: From Hesitant to Harmonious
November 25, 2025
Group projects are often considered one of the most difficult social activities to participate in. There can be disagreements, social hierarchies, and general negative experiences but the root of these issues lie in communication strategy. I have recently been tasked with a group project and aim to outline the experience below to show how using communication strategies to work as a team against obstacles can result in a positive outcome. I generally take a more active role in group projects and prefer leading. But usually, I prefer to work alone and I’m not going to lie, there were moments where I thought “Man, I wish I could do this project solo.” But if this was the requirement I would have lost the opportunity to hone valuable communication skills which will be useful long term.
Our daily communications entail numerous obstacles, so having a required group communication activity will inevitably have some sort of obstacle. Since this project relied on certain factors such as class attendance, we faced certain issues with our in person availability for group communication. This is a totally normal situation. Life happens and gets in the way of our ability to communicate in person. The main way we overcame this is by using written forms of communication to catch each other up and exhibit problem solving skills. When a group member was absent we figured out the assignment requirements for that class period and texted in a group chat. In one example, I was the only member available during one of the mandatory in person meetings. I decided to get an outline complete for my group instead of attempting to complete parts of the project without them. I used our group chat to let them know about the outline which later helped as a foundation for our group project.
Group project experience expectation is difficulty
Photos : Wix stock
At first the group work felt chaotic
Trusting members is what leads to successful teamwork
But attendance was not our only obstacle. Another obstacle was the individual interpretations / understandings of the project itself. This solution was quite straightforward. If one of us was confused, we offered lengthy explanations back and forth and provided statements from documents such as the project requirements until we were all on the same page which also portrayed our ability to think critically. The third obstacle we faced as a group was delegating tasks. Since in person attendance was limited, most of our discussions were about what the project was instead of how we were going to execute it. It was actually a little chaotic trying to delegate tasks and felt last minute. But we used problem solving skills to ensure we each contributed while maintaining project expectations.
The final obstacle was not an issue with the group but more of a personal matter. Since I have preferred doing projects alone I struggled with being controlling. This was quite a difficult habit to balance. I had an itch to complete the project based on my understanding of the requirements rather than entrusting my group members. Instead of creating all the messages, I backed off and entrusted another member to help me with the load. Entrusting my group members, while it provides its own stresses, also takes away the pressure for my personal expectations. It also provided an opportunity to practice my skills in adaptability.
The skills we exhibited (problem solving, critical thinking, adaptability, numerous forms of communication) are useful not only in professional settings but also in everyday life. Communication and miscommunication are common occurrences and a necessary part of life. Having the skills to enhance our experiences will make it easier to navigate. While I was not thrilled to partake in a group project, it provided useful insight and applicable experience nonetheless.
Blog 4: Aspirations
December 15, 2025
It is usually the most unexpected things that make life more enjoyable. My path to Communication Studies was something of an unexpected nature. I began my college journey as a naive freshman studying English with a specification in professional and public writing. Over my education, the majority of my electives were communication classes. I realized that I enjoyed the topic of Communication Studies and had fun, interesting conversations in classes. So when my advisor told me I would be able to double major and graduate on time (having to sacrifice graduating a semester early) I jumped at the opportunity. Deciding to double major was actually easy and something that excited me. While I feel I have learned a lot from my professors and classes, it would be foolish to assume my learning journey is over. I recognize that as I continue to grow, I will continue to learn. This is the central characteristic I wish to display as an emerging communication professional. I am someone who works hard, is thoughtful, and diligent. These characteristics are what will carry me through my life goals. I plan on finishing my degree in the Spring semester of 2026. After graduation, I am considering applying for the study abroad with IUI to Poland to gain more experience in a professional communication environment and to obtain hands-on experience. I also plan on studying for the national paralegal certification which will enable me to get a job in the field of law. In the next 5 years, I hope to be gaining experience in law and deciding whether or not to pursue further education.
Since I am so close to graduation, there are not many credits I need to fulfill. Other options to help me toward my goal would include pursuing the paralegal studies certificate offered by IUI. This is not something that is required but could help boost my experience or provide accolades to any employers. I am already a leader in an organization on campus but other organizations I would consider include the student law organization, and perhaps a mock trial. An internship would definitely help provide connections within the law environment but may not be feasible with my current work and school schedule. However, this is still something to keep in mind for future reference. Another thing that would be beneficial include meeting with Anneka Scott who would be able to help me find the path needed for my career aspirations. Seeking guidance with a career specialist would eliminate any confusion I have about whether I am taking the correct steps to reach my end goal. I also plan on using her “elevator pitch” and committing something like that to memory to establish professional confidence.
Finally, the ePortfolio was another resource I would consider expanding. This allowed me to reflect on what I had learned. The ability to reflect and analyze is an important skill to have to help recognize any strengths or weaknesses. Inside of class, I was able to become more empathetic with classmates or people with my group. It took me out of my own head to better understand and communicate with others rather than focusing on quick assumptions. Outside of class this also helps me recognize the strengths and weaknesses of others. This sounds judgemental, but is useful as a leader. In my organization, I am able to delegate roles according to the strengths and weaknesses of my group. It is important to have a balance of being challenged and knowing what you are doing. The ePortfolio certainly challenged and strengthened these skills while providing a creative and professional outlet to show what I have learned in my Communication courses. This could be beneficial for any employers who are interested in my education.
Communication in Action
Communication in Action:
Presentation and Paper
This is a slide deck of the Communication Project completed during COMM-G100. Our project focused on helping the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care connect with a Human Resources audience. I provided a solid project draft which we based the project on but also analyzed further the implementation of our messages and the evaluation sections. I also represented my group by presenting when they were unable to and changed the slides to adapt to the circumstances.
Here is the slide deck for our presentation with the edits I had to make. Please use the link below if you wish to see our speaker notes.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nDkZhQBl0zQ-VenzwAwc2w_Z8hqkVs9yjgcXk4HCcwQ/edit?usp=sharing
What I learned
I chose this project because I learned a lot about myself as a communication professional and grew from the experience. In the beginning of the semester, I wished to do this project alone. But after further reflection, I realized the importance of being able to work in a group. I also appreciated the opportunity to handle a delicate subject and attempt to formulate a plan to help a worthy cause. It developed many skills I will need as a communication professional like being able to analyze, reflect, empathize, and adaptability. I am also proud of the outcome and think it reflects professional standards.
Communication Studies Abilities
-
Define Communication as a discipline and engaged in discourse about it's central questions.
-
Identify and discuss communication theory, perspectives, principles, and concepts.
-
Effectively apply skills and knowledge learned in communication studies coursework to practical collaborative and professional efforts.
-
Apply communication skills to embrace difference and influence public issues.
-
Critically analyze and create practical and meaningful messages appropriate to audience, purpose, and context.