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In Engineering and Life In General
Paulo F. Ribeiro, MBA, PhD, PE
ENGR 339
October 11, 2001AD
Communication: A Necessity (not sufficient) of Life
In Engineering:
1 - 20 to 50 percent of an engineer’s time is spent on communicating with others
2 - Communication skills critical in career advancement3 - Verbally as much as in Writing4 - Advanced Technologies – Demand has become more critical and complex
That is why you should do well in your English, Philosophy, Communications and even Theology Classes. They are an integral part of your engineering education… Whether you like it or not.
Communicating To Make Things Happen
Signs of Project Failure
Project engineers and managers don't understand clients' needs
Scope is ill-defined: Proposal / Bid Unrealistic
Project Changes and Interface Requirements are Communicated / Managed Poorly
Deadlines are unrealistic
Project lacks people with appropriate skills _________________________________
Clients become resistant
Sponsorship is lost
To Communicate or Obfuscate
Five Basic Skills
Listening
Speaking
Writing
Mathematics
GraphicsListening Speaking Writing Graphics Math Listening Speaking Writing Graphics Math
The greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished.D. Davenport
FACILITATING FACILITATING
Creation, Fall and Redemption:A Controls Systems Perspective
Creation CosmosHuman LifeHistory, Culture
Providence
Redemption Consummation
Cultural Mandate
FALL
Word ofGod(Laws,Commands,Structure)
RedeemedCreation
CREATION REDEMPTION
-+ ++
+UnfoldingRedeemingCreation
Graphics
Language exists to communicate whatever it can communicate. Some things it communicates so badly that we never attempt to communicate them by words if any other medium is available.C.S. Lewis
( ) ( )
( ) . . ( )
( ' ... ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ' ... ) ( )
( ' ... ...&...Re ) ( )
( ) ( ... )
0 God Universe
Universe dx dy dz Good
God s Will Evil
d
dtEvil Sin
Man s Sins Death
Jesus Suffereing surection Death
Death Eternal Life
Creation
Fall
Redemption
MathematicsCreation, Fall and Redemption:
A Mathematical Perspective
The reason that some intuitive minds are not mathematical is that they cannot at all turn their attention to the principles of mathematics. But the reason that mathematicians are not intuitive is that they do not see what is before them …since they are accustomed to the exact principles of mathematics… and are lost in matters of intuition where the principles do not allow of such arrangement. Blaise Pascal
Listening
Be Attentive
Increasing EffectivenessEmphatically
ListeningAttentive ListeningSelective ListeningPretending to ListenIgnoring
Verify Understanding (Ask Questions)
Use What Is Learned (Write About It)“The beginning of wisdom is silence. The second stage is listening.” A Hebrew Sage
Opportunities are often missed because we are broadcasting when we should be listening.
Author Unknown
Distinctions Between Writing and Speaking
Single-Channel (Writing) vs. Multi-Channel (Speaking)
One-Directional (Writing) vs. Two-Directional (Speaking)
Conveying (Writing) vs. Convincing (Speaking)
Writing
Your manuscript is both good and original, but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good.
Samuel Johnson
Writing
General Suggestions
1. Learn All You Can (Furnish Your Mind)
2. Think Hard About The Subject (Exercise Your Mind)
(Interesting, Creative Ideas)
3. Avoid Distractions (Quiet Your Mind)
4. Take A Break (Refresh Your Mind)
5. Save Time For Reflection (Free Your Mind)
6. Associate With Creative People (Stimulate Your Mind)
7. Keep Writing In Your Log Book (Tune In To Your Mind)
8. Notice Your “Crazy” Ideas (Respect Your Mind)
9. Be Quick To Question Authority/Professor (Alert Your Mind)
10. Trust God (Surrender Your Mind)
Report Writing - Can Engineers Write?
Define and Analyze Your Audience
Classify Your Report (Research, Proposal, Feasibility Studies)
Design The Report (Outline)Transmittal Letter, Title Page, Table of Contents, Executive SummaryChapters, Acknowledgements, Cite References, Appendices
Write First Draft, Conclusions
Write IntroductionWhy Is This ImportantWhat Is the Background / Motivation?What Was The Work Performed?What Will Be Presented?
Report-Writing Guidelines and Standards
Start Writing on Day 1
Outline and Incubate
Write Easy Parts First
Write in Third Person
Employ a Gender-Neutral Style
Standard Graphics and Diagrams
Use Format Writing, Avoid Jargon
Establish Report Milestones
Check Spelling, Grammar, Cite All Sources
Revise, Revise, Revise
Writing
Some Basic Rules of Grammar
Each pronoun agrees with their antecedentVerbs has to agree with their subjectsDon’t use no double negativesA Writer mustn’t shift your point of viewJoin clauses good, like a conjunction shouldDon’t write a run-on sentence remember to separate sentencesPrepositions are not words to end sentences with. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary. Contractions aren't necessary. One should never generalize. Don't be redundant; don't use more words than necessary; it's highly
superfluous. Be more or less specific. The passive voice is to be avoided. Who needs rhetorical questions? Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement
IntroductionWhy Is This ImportantWhat Is the Background / Motivation?What Was The Work Performed?What Will Be Presented?
Present arguments and ideas in a clear and concise way
Be persuasive and true
Be interesting
Be Enthusiastic
Absolutely nothing will help your presentation more than communicating your passion and confidence.
Speaking
Speaking
Conquer Reluctance to Speak
Define The Audience and the Setting
Prepare The Script
Prepare the Graphics
Keep it Simple
Title for Maximum Impact
"Let thy speak be short, comprehending much in few word”Ecclesiasticus
Speaking
Remember That You Are the principal Means of Communications
Practice Out Loud
Establish Delivery Time
Reduce Distracting Habits
Listen To How You Rally Sound
Improve One Step at a Time
Do Not Read
Speaking
Communicate Your Communication Needs
Check Out the Room
Suggest A Proper Introduction
Deliver the Speech – Speak to the Entire Audience
Be Visual
Conclude Definitely !!!!
USUALLY BETTER USUALLY WORSE
* Talk * Read* Stand * Sit* Use visual aids: outlines, pictures, graphs * Have no visual aids* Move * Stand still* Vary the pitch of your voice * Speak in a monotone* Speak loudly and clearly, toward the audience * Mumble, facing downward* Make eye contact with the audience * Stare at the podium* Focus on main arguments * Get lost in details* Finish your talk within the time limit * Run overtime* Rehearse your talk * Don't practice* Summarize main arguments @ beginning and end * Fail to provide a conclusion* Notice your audience and respond * Ignore audience behavior* Emulate excellent speakers * Emulate mentors regardless
Speaking
In Conclusion
• Communicate To Make Things Happen• Write – Correctly, Concisely, Precisely• Speak – Enthusiastically and Confidently• Facilitate The Communication Process
No man who values originality will ever be original. But try to tell the truth as you see it, try to do any bit of work as well as it can be done for the work's sake, and what
men call originality will come unsought. C.S. Lewis
The Complete Engineer - Should be able to successfully use the levels of communication skills demanded by the complex, diverse, and ever-changing world.
Such skills include, but are not limited to, listening, speaking, writing, reading, as well as, communicating through mathematics, science, philosophy, literature and the arts.