Monday, April 18, 2011

Overall Reflection of ES2007S

ES2007S is the best module that I have taken so far in my 2 years in NUS. I am able to learn many practical skills in communication in the professional realm and to apply these skills real time in the various platforms of the course. The following are some important aspects of this module that I would like to highlight:

Communication

I have learnt to systematically manage my own communication in both written and real time communication (verbal & non-verbal) and the 7 Cs brought a very clear picture as I evaluate my own communication methods. Ultimately, the manner I bring my ideas across is as important as the ideas themselves.

Project Management

The heavy work load of the project (proposal + oral discussion + oral presentation = 40%) is worth the amount of experience that I got. I have revisited the basics of holding a meeting, building the team dynamics, liaising with external agencies, proposal writing and presentation management. It is very rewarding to synthesize a project that could really worked in the actual cooperate environment.

Leadership & Self-management

While others associate leadership with leaders, I believe everyone is a leader in a form or another. Emotional management, time planning, goal setting and resource organization are essential to both the individual and team. Through this module, I have gained insights to my own personal flaws that would hinder my career in the future. I am grateful that I can work on these flaws before stepping into the workforce.


In conclusion, ES2007S provided me the highest quantity and quality of these soft skills per module as compared to others. I really recommend this module to students who are seeking skills to bring out the best of themselves and to get a head-start as they step into the corporate world.

13 comments:

  1. Hey Yu Tian!

    I really agree with you when you say that the module has provided us with both quantity and quality of soft skills! I can really see the improvements that you've made throughout the course, and I've also witnessed how you put all your skills to good use, though I wasn't from the same teams as you.

    I think you really started standing out and expressing yourself more towards the end of the module, which I think is great! (Not saying that you weren't expressive before!)

    All the best in your future endeavours, it's been great knowing you!

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  2. Hey Yu Tian,

    Your blog post is really clear and concise, written in a professional way! You have gave a comprehensive overview of the entire course and what you have truly gained from it. I like one of the sentences you have shared, "While others associate leadership with leaders, I believe everyone is a leader in a form or another." Yea, I think this is an important and useful idea wherever we are at, whether in the school or working environment.

    To acknowledge everyone in the team is important! You have demonstrated this during the project where you acknowledged everyone's efforts. Thank you so much! Be it a small or big contribution made to the group, receiving recognition and encouragement from every team member really motivates one to work even harder. At the same time, it creates a sense of belonging to the team too. I guess this creates bondedness among members and makes communication even easier.

    These are my views about this statement you have shared. Do share with me your views too.

    It has been great and fun to know you! :) All the best!

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  3. You have fantastic leadership skills! Even though I've not worked with you, I could really tell that you were able to control the dynamics of the group and bring out the best in your group members! Really been great knowing you and honestly I think you're very outspoken and fun-loving! :) thanks for sharing yor perspective and I think you did a great job in transferring and creating new ideas in this module! :) it's always been a pleasure listening to you summarizing the input!

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  4. Hi Yu Tian,while I didn't know you well initially,I enjoyed working with you for the later half of the module for the proposal and OP. I think we both gained alot through this experience and reading about the skills you've gained has proved my point. I'm very impressed at how you handled the different working styles of the team and I recall with a smile the times you,Adeline and myself had at your place,huddled over our computers and listening to random songs on Youtube haha! Anyway, I'm really glad to have known you as a friend and all the best in your teaching career :)

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  5. @ Mabel: Thanks Mabel for your encouragement. Well, I kind of get much more into the groove of the course in the later portion so I talk more =)

    @ Adeline: I agree with your view on the on leading a team with encouragement. Leading the team by inspiration is much better leading by instruction. Since the work is to be done, why not inspire the people and have everyone complete the task joyfully and willingly. That’s a great insight =)

    @ Jac: Thanks for the encouragement. I am very grateful to have such a great fan like you. I am also a big fan of yours. Let’s cheer each other on in our education career.

    @ Paula: Yeah! Those are definitely good memories. I am glad that we manage the project well despite our tight schedule and resources.

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  6. I gotta agree with you Yu Tian. So much is learnt within this module! I remember when you first asked me to take this module, I was a little hesitant because it sounded like something which I did not need. After all, I'm already taken (by MOE) and there is no need to communicate professionally. Writing resumes, preparing for interviews.. these did not seem applicable to me!

    However as the course progressed, I realised that this module is one which SOLELY teaches us about communicating in or FOR the workplace, but also, communicating with our friends. So like you, I have benefitted immensely from this module.

    Credits goes to you though, for asking me to come! And it's been really a joy to work with you SOOOO many times during this sem. Indeed, this module has concretised our friendship and set the stage for a long future of working together!

    Great job to you for this module. I am impressed! =)

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  7. Hey Yu Tian!!

    Without a doubt you have shown tremendous leadership. Your enthusiasm during class periods was also very evident, with you giving very relevant and concise response that enlightens everybody.

    It was a waste that we didn't get to work with each other in this module. It would have been fun working with you!

    All the best for your exams yah!!

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  8. Hey Yu Tian!

    We really have learnt a lot from this module and yes it is the best module at NUS. True everybody is a leader in one way or another but some people have it naturally and I think leadership comes to you naturally, it was very clear during the OP.

    Anyways it's really been great knowing you! Hope we meet soon :)

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  9. Wow! What can I add to the comments that has not been said already by your classmates? Your post is well organized with thoughtful content. Check. You've expressed yourself clearly and concisely, showing yet again the value of the various Cs we covered. Check. You focus on the "management" of your communication approach, managing your project and managing your emotions, and you invoke the idea that leading starts with oneself. Check.

    In response, your classmates have mentioned how you demonstrated much of what you have described as a very active participant in class and in your project team. This shows that your action backs up your words. Check for integrity, continuity and understanding "the big picture," showing effective communication by effectively communicating.

    You have covered yourself, Yu Tian, and in the process, helped us all learn for ourselves. Sounds like a great formula for a future teacher and for an ideal student --- and for my pleasure throughout this term.

    I wish you all the best!

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  10. Hi Yu Tian,

    I'd like to commend you for your organisation of your last blog post. It is very clear and succinct. It reflects your style of presentation and speech.

    It works and I also think you'll make a good teacher. Great to have you as a classmate.

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  11. Hi Mr Above All :P

    Well, thanks for so much for being such a great classmate! I really enjoyed working with you for the peer teaching and am impressed by the contributions which you made during our peer teaching meetings. I truly believed that your contributions played a big role in the success of our peer teaching. It is noteworthy that despite the fact that you were a good communicator even before taking this course, you have maintained a teachable heart in this module, and have used what Brad has taught to further strengthen your communication skills. I’m also impressed by your section on “Leadership and Management”. I think that this section contains wise words and I believe that you have been molded into a better leader through this course.

    Lastly, I would like to mention that this post is very well written as you have clearly (the divisions in your post have contributed to this) and concretely stated your points. I do sincerely wish you the best, not only in your exams but also in your future personal development =)

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  12. @ Edwin: I am glad that I managed to persuade you to take this module together and we all benefited so much from it. Even though we did not manage to do the project as planned, we still had lots of fun right?

    @ Ben: I am glad that I am able to help the class understand some concepts better by sharing my experiences. Yup, too bad we did not have a chance to work together.

    @ Utarra: Haha, I am not a born leader. It took me quite a lot of time and effort to reach the state of leadership that I have today. So it’s good news for you too. Since you are still very young (now I am jealous =P ) you have plenty of time and to improve yourself. If I can do it, so can you. All the best!

    @ Michelle: Thank you =) All the best to your days with the SIA. I am glad to share the moment of your joy as you got that phone call.

    @ Jon: Haha, I always remind myself to be humble as there are still plenty of great speakers and leaders out there. Well, you too have your strengths too. I am always amaze by your English abilities and you are always the editor in the team (still remember Mr. Englishman from BioInformatics?) Let’s grow and mature in communication and other soft skills together! We still have the FYP 2 years down the road.

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  13. Hi Brad. Time flies and it’s already the end of the semester. I will definite miss you and your style of teaching. I still remember the culture shock that I felt at the first few lessons as I never been through a class with that much of person-to-person interaction. The prevailing culture in Singapore is just keep absorbing and involves little feedback. The style of class management that you presented really added many new dimensions to my style of teaching in the future. In fact, I am going for my MOE school attachment this July so I shall try my newly formed style (with many elements of yours integrated) in the attached school.

    Not only that I gained new teaching insights from you, I have also improved my communication skills with your guidance and feedback. Despite I have some working experience, I seldom need to communicate in proper English as most of my associates and clients use Singlish. In addition, most of my past stage experience (with an adult audience) were in Chinese so I am still adjusting to the English presentation.

    Your influence will definitely become an important milestone in both my educational career and my growth in communication.

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