Positive and Neutral Messages: How to Communicate Effectively

Question 1 

One time during a summer break, I needed money that I intended to invest in a little project. To start earning some, I applied for work in a restaurant and I was taken. The money I earned was little that what I wanted as saving it all would still not sufficiently fund my project. However, I kept working as I could not find any other employment or money-making opportunity. I did my duties diligently every day without fail. One day, a senior employee requested for emergency leave and I was asked to fill in his position. The meant that I was to earn more than what I was earning at that time. Part of the email read ‘You will, therefore, be required to replace your senior and the restaurant will compensate you for this’. My salary for the next two months almost doubled. The meant that I could get enough money to fund my project. There were other employees that would have been given the opportunity but they chose me due to my diligence. Several lessons were learnt from this experience.

Question 2 

In chapter 5 page 38, one of the ways that have been recommended to write clearly is“Use specific, concrete language”. Since the message was sent in the form an email, the sender should have been more specific concerning the details of my compensation as I was left wondering about how much salary increment I would get. When I received the email, I did not know the exact salary increase that was being talked about. I feel like the person sending the email should have used specific and concrete language by stating the exact amount that I was going to get. A statement such as ‘You will, therefore, receive a 70% increment in your salary’ would have been more comprehensive.