Presentation 2: Bob Knowlton

1. Discuss the reasons why what happened happened.
Bob Knowlton was the head project of the Photon Lab where he worked together with his team. One day, Fester came in and took over the project as though it was his. Fester's a brilliant and driven person who knows what he's doing and Knowlton felt that he was being challenged and threatened when Fester suddenly took over the project. Knowlton reacted in a way that not only impacted his own career, but the direction of the company for which he worked. Knowlton, then quit his job for a new position at a new company.

2. Consider the personalities involved, especially those of Knowlton and Fester, and the organizational characteristics.
Given that Bob Knowlton faced with a rival person entered his "territory", he could be considered externally motivated rather than internally driven.

Bob had a low self-esteem when he was being challenged by this new guy that automatically made him feel insecure.

Although Fester was an intelligent and a driven person, he didn't even consider Bob's feelings when he took over the project and that made him a selfish person.


Organizational culture is more to work oriented with little focus of interpersonal relationships and communication. No feelings are discussed openly, hence, the assumption that the team is functioning well is false.

3. Imagine yourself in the position of Dr. Jerrold at the end of the case, reflecting back over the events. Is there anything you could have done, on the basis of what you knew or could have known at the time, that would have led to a more favorable outcome? State your reasoning. 
If I were to be in Dr. Jerrold's position, I would have a mature conversation with Bob or even better with Fester as well to talk about what's going to happen since Fester has joined the company. Maybe both of them could work together as a team and make decisions together to succeed as opposed to work individually and not sharing their work together. OR
I'll think twice before hiring someone who is so intelligent like Fester because it can causes damage to the company and some people like Bob Knowlton might get offended by it. Especially if Dr. Jerrold hasn't say anything to Bob about Fester.

Tutorial Discussion 1

1. What unusual communication demands are placed on the "competent communicator" now that we are living in the information society?

• Communication competence is the ability to choose a communication behavior that is both appropriate and effective for a given situation. 
• Able to access information with the touch of our fingertips on our smart phones.

• Connect with people through social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Blogs.
• Online banking - make purchases/transfer funds over the Internet
• Newspapers are available online.
• Able to maintain relationship from people across the world through Skype, ooVoo.
• Discussion on forums

2. How will you as a "competent communicator" use each of the four components of competency in your personal and professional life?

• Components of competency; Knowledge, Sensitivity, Value, Skills
• Knowledge - Apply the knowledge of what I learned in college in my professional life. 
• Sensitivity - Never mix your personal life with your job. Try not to be too personal when you're working. Don't put too much trust on colleagues. However, it's important to show your concern to others. 
• Value - Each individual has different values.
• Skills - You're good at your job because you have good skills. However, the skills you have are only for good intentions. Try not to be arrogant or ignorant in your workplace.

3. Think of a person you consider to be a "competent communicator" and describe how he or she demonstrates the four components of competency.

• Knowledge - 
• Sensitivity - Her concern towards the people she talks to on her show and her fans. She and her big heart will always help the people that she cares and solve their problems.
• Value - In my opinion, Oprah values her family, friends and also her fans. Without her fans she would not be where she is today.
• Skills - Winfrey became an honor student and rediscovered her flair for public speaking, emerging as a standout orator. Her speaking skills earned her a scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she majored in speech and drama. In 1973, while only a sophomore, she was offered a job as a co-new anchor at Nashville's CBS affiliate and became not only Nashville's first female co-anchor but the first black co-anchor as well.