SOC121R4 Human Relations
Key Graded Assignment: Communication Styles
SOC121 Human Relations
Key Graded Assignment - Communication Styles
This assignment supports the following outcomes:
 Identify their preferred communication style and how it relates to others.
 Demonstrate effective communication styles with individuals and groups.
 Appreciate how an understanding communication styles enhances diversity in
the workplace.
Assignment
In this assignment, you will explore your communication style and propose ways to
flex your style to meet the needs of those who exhibit other communication styles.
The assignment will assist you in understanding the impact that your communication
style has on the impression others form of you. It will also help you to begin to
develop sensitivity and appropriate responses to those who exhibit other styles.
To do this assignment you must write a paper covering the following four areas.
a. Identify your communication style along with the characteristics of your style
that you identify with and give an example from your life that illustrates how
the characteristic you identified applies to you and how you relate to others.
Additionally, identify characteristics (if any) from the other styles that you
believe represent you, and give an example.
b. Describe 2-3 strengths and 2-3 weaknesses of your style. Explain why these
strengths and weaknesses apply to you by giving an example of a strength
and of a weakness.
c. Select two of the Communication Styles Scenarios below and describe how
you would flex your style in those situations to be effective by using the
concepts of style flexing from your textbook in your explanation.
d. Write a summary paragraph describing what you have learned from this
assignment as well as how understanding communication styles will help you
in the workplace.
Communication Styles Scenarios:
1. A real estate firm has hired you. Next week you will meet with Luther Hodges
to discuss a commercial property that is for sale in your community. He
hopes to erect an office building on this property. Mr. Hodges is classified
as a director. To sell this property to Mr. Hodges, what words and actions
should you display throughout the meeting?
2. You have an interview at a local television station for a job assisting a talk
show host. You will be interviewing with both the host and the station
manager at the same time. The host is classified as an emotive. The
station manager is classified as a supportive. What words and actions
should you display during the interview to win over both of these employers?
3. You frequently disagree with a colleague. In fact, your working relationship
has become quite strained. Yesterday, you were assigned to partner with her
on an important company project. Your colleague is classified as a
Reflective. What strategy (words and actions) will you use to make this a
successful partnership?
©2007 Westwood College
Page 1 of 2
Last Modified: 3/8/2016
SOC121R4 Human Relations
Key Graded Assignment: Communication Styles
Deliverables
 A minimum two-page paper typed (250 to 500 words) and double-spaced.
 A cover sheet that includes your name, the date, and a title for your paper.
Grading
The following grading rubric will be used to evaluate your assignment.

Content Grading Rubric - 100% of assignment grade
Resources
Effective Human Relations, 10th Edition. Reece/Brandt. Boston: Houghton Mifflin
Company, 2008, Chapter 3, pp 57-83, Chapter 2 pp 31-42.
Communication Style Handout with each style’s characteristics.
©2007 Westwood College
Page 2 of 2
Last Modified: 3/8/2016