Chapter 1. Chapter 10 College Success Career Success

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College Success = Career Success:
Providing Instructions Effectively

Presentation skills can be quite valuable in the workplace, and one way you can use these skills is to train others. For example, your boss may ask you to explain to new employees how to complete a multi-step task. If you break down a complicated task into small, specific steps, you’ll find it easier to explain the task to others.

To practice this skill, follow these steps:

  1. Find a partner and gather two sheets of paper and a pencil.
  2. Without showing your partner what you’re doing, draw something simple on one piece of paper, such as two lines or an abstract shape.
  3. Without showing your partner your drawing, give him or her instructions for how to draw your design on the other piece of paper. Be specific about where to begin (“Hold the piece of paper horizontally, and begin two-thirds of the way down the left-hand side of the page . . .”), and specify how long and how big to make each shape or line.
  4. If your partner can’t understand your instructions, ask him or her to erase part of the drawing. Then give your partner alternative instructions.
  5. Once your partner is finished, compare his or her drawing against your original drawing. How well do they match?

In the text box below, reflect on this activity. What did you learn from this process about giving instructions and communicating effectively?

Question

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