The proof that a system functions properly is measured by the result of all the components working together to produce a specific goal. When math is properly applied the correct answer is the result. However, if a step or two have been skipped or missed the result might not be a true answer. In communication we find that there are procedures to follow in a logical order to achieve a positive outcome. One of the features of Systems Theory that make it so accessible is called processes and feedback, and just like the different formulas in mathematics, this "formula" adds to the functionality of the whole theory.

“In systems theory, there are two main types of feedback: negative and positive” (Eisenberg, Goodall, 2004, p 103). These help to interpret what needs to be done in order to accomplish the intended task. Negative feedback can cause a revisiting of a certain aspect of a communication process, which in turn, allows positive feedback to bring the aspect to its intended place or do away with it all together. This is really helpful in the attaining of goals.

Another aspect of systems theory is that it can be applied to a project regardless of the goal that is trying to be reached. Goals can be individually attained or corporately attained, or even a combination of the two. The definition of the goal as it pertains to a certain project will tell where it fits in the overall goal of a project. For example, if asked to triangulate the position of a satellite in orbit around the earth, there would be logical steps to take to come to a correct set of coordinates specifying where the satellite is. If a manger wants to reach a team comprised of 25 sales people he will have to use different variations of the same logic to reach them all even though the message is the same.

I use an illustration when teaching the order of operations in algebra. It is a story of three men who want to split the cost of a motel room evenly. They are told the room will be thirty dollars, so they each contribute 10 dollars. Later, the clerk discovers he overcharged the men and sends the bellhop to their room with five one dollar bills. On the way to the room the bellhop wonders how he is going to divide the five bills between three people. He decides to keep two of them and gives each of the men one. This means the men only paid nine dollars each for the room and the bellhop kept two. If you multiply nine and three, then add the two dollars the bellhop kept the total is only 29 dollars. What happened to the other dollar? The problem with this illustration is how I communicate the story which implies an illogical approach to the solution.

Understanding systems theory helps communicators do what is necessary by using many different aspects of communication as they apply to any given situation. In the illustration above, the solution was relegated to only one theory of mathematics. When organizations try to operate by using a single approach they will discover communication problems for which there is no solution.

Another aspect of nonverbal communication that can easily drive a wedge between friends, and even romantic partners, is touching. I have learned to refrain from this unless I am given a cue from the other person that it would be acceptable for me to touch them in an appropriate way. As I would help parishioners deal with bereavement, a touch on the shoulder or taking their hand would say a lot. When permission is given, this is a very powerful nonverbal communication. I often tell my wife how her kiss touches me way down into my toes. It is very personal, and can be the one thing, when misrepresented, that could end life long friendships.

Personal space is quite another story, though, because it is the most difficult one for me to read. I am an emotional, touchy-feely person. This gets me into trouble at times because it usually leads me into violating somebody's personal space. I think I read somewhere once that people naturally consider a radius of about two-feet as their personal space. We see this in corporations where employees sit in cubicles to do their work. They are strategically set up to give the “owner” of that space plenty of room to maneuver while doing their job without violating any body else's personal space.

These are just three of the nonverbal communication tools we use on a daily basis. I am convinced, after watching my wife experience the birth of our two children, that proxemics is learned in the womb. The other nonverbal communication rules are learned and honed by participation. Life teaches us many things about communication, and when you think you know all you need to, you learn something new that causes you to want to learn more. Some would say this is the difference between knowledge and wisdom.

A decision making process based on data leads to good decisions (www.lib.umd.edu). If those in the position to do so will remember how decision making directly affects themselves and others, they will think a little more soberly about the process involved. The first model discussed is a five-step model and includes Framing, Deciding, Communicating, Implementing and Evaluating.

The first step in framing is to clarify the purpose and boundaries of the decision. This will set a tone for the process that needs to be implemented in order to achieve the best possible outcome. Clearly understanding the subject matter about which the decision is being considered aids in the overall decision-making process. It is the foundation on which the final outcome is based. Without a clear understanding the other four steps will not result in a favorable outcome.

Once clarity is determined, the gathering of information comes next. During this step some guidelines will be established that will make the next four aspects of decision making viable. Identified here are the people it will affect and exactly who is responsible for the final decision; an individual or group. Then a deadline for making the decision must be agreed upon or set.

When guidelines are set with deadline in place, the method defining how the decision will be made comes next in this five-step procedure. Appropriate tools should be used for gathering data, integrating ideas with the data, and deciding if it will be the responsibility of one individual or a group who makes the final determination. There is a certain amount of decision making within the decision making model.

Communicating by summarizing the rationale for the decision and why it was made along with defining the steps used to implement the decision are the next two steps in this model of decision making. Also in these steps is the defining of who will report, and how they will do it, the completion of certain steps within the decision making needs to be established.

Finally, there is the evaluation of the decision to be sure all steps have been accomplished in a satisfactory manner. If the final outcome is not favorable the decision making group or individual should rethink the data used and start the process over.

The seven-step model developed by Rick Roberts of the University of North Florida Career Services includes identifying the decision to be made, self assessment, identifying any options, gather data, evaluate problem solving options, selecting one and designing a course of action (www.unf.edu). This decision making model is much like the previous one mentioned, but is a little more detail orientated. It is preferred to have as much knowledge about the decision desired so it tends to be a little more involved for everyone in the decision making group.

The first step in Roberts' design is like the five-step model, and is imperative to making a good decision. Understanding what the problem is in order to implement a process to render the best possible decision has to be the first step in any decision making model. This is usually a question to delineate and define the unique characteristics concerning the problem faced. The more information gathered the broader the spectrum is from which to choose pertinent information needed.

Self assessment involves how you see yourself in four categories of understanding. They are skills, interest, values and personality. This is important because it has a direct bearing on how the process will flow. If we are not aware of personal traits that are inevitably exhibited in our every day affairs, we can be tripped up by them and find ourselves embarrassed. "Know thyself" is the adage.

Exploration of the options available is the next step in this seven step decision making model. Determine whether the information acquired will be helpful or not. This means input from everyone involved is vital. The decision will be made, but the affect it has lies in opinions being shared by those making the decision.

After choosing the information to be used decision makers will collaborate by offering personal data about the information. Also, it is good to research these pieces of information in order to get a clear understanding of how they will be used in the process of decision making. Finding and using more resources that can be used as evidence to support the implementing of the process will go a long way in determining how successful the outcome of the decision will be.

Select only one of the options that you have explored and design an implementation procedure. These are the last two steps in this model. Based upon the data analyzed the people involved should be able to ascertain the best method of implementation. This will bring a satisfactory level of confidence not only in those who developed the process, but also those the decision will affect.

Any decision making model used will begin with identifying the problem that makes a decision making process required. The steps outlined above are all illustrations of the critical thinking necessary to be able to make good decisions. Whether we see them, notice them, or even understand them does not make them of no use to us. In fact, we use them to some degree in every decision we make. Taking this class, for example, took a decision on my part. I had to weigh the options presented to me, gather the information about the classes in this field of study, and based upon those findings I was able to decide to register for this class. Critical thinking is absolutely necessary to make good decisions. If I had allowed incorrect or false data to become part of the criteria on which I based my decision, I would probably be in a class that I would not benefit from.

Finally, choosing a decision making model, whether it be from a professional viewpoint or a personal one is vital to everyday activities. Most people make decisions without giving them much thought only to regret what they have done, especially when they realize a little more insightful and critical thinking could have avoided a less-than-desirable outcome.

A quote from C.S. Lewis I use quite often brings to mind the complexities of language, and therefore the potential for communication failure. He said, “The history of the human mind since the beginning has consisted in "almost nobody making linguistic mistakes about almost nothing.” This is truer than many freelance writers want to admit. Being a good freelance writer means always being a student of the art.

I like this excerpt from Clair E White; “The key to effective business writing is knowing your audience. Before you sit down to compose your letter, memo or report, think about the recipient of your document. What are you trying to say to this person? Organization is crucial. Outlines are an invaluable aid to writing a lengthy report or memo. Remember, time is in short supply for most business professionals. By organizing your thoughts beforehand, you can determine exactly what you are trying to say. Decide what details must be included in the report or memo. Look for graphic elements to add to your presentation, especially if your report contains many boring statistics. Statistics and research bolster your conclusions, especially if they are presented in a visually appealing manner. With the advent of modern word processing programs such as Microsoft Word and Corel Word Perfect, it is easy to include spread sheets, graphs and colorful clip art to your report, thereby making your work memorable and convincing” (Effective Writing for the Workplace www.writerswrite.com).

With ammunition like this there should be more "profession' in professional writing. However, this is not the case. More attention is paid to being politically correct than actually getting a message across. I believe in being politically correct, just not at the sacrifice of the message. What is communication about if it is not the message? I wrote a short piece on strategic ambiguity where I pointed out how it seems that Corporate America has played the con-game so long that when real rhetoricians stand in their midst, they are treated like an alien. Let me give you an example of what they are used to.

=In a book by Richard Lanham, Revising Prose, he used an illustration I think best fits the topic at hand: “The triumphant moment in which a new systemic dominant gains ascendancy is therefore only the diachronic manifestation of a constant struggle for the perpetuation and reproduction of its dominance, a struggle which must continue throughout its life course, accompanied at all moments by the systemic or structural antagonism of those older and be newer modes of production that resist assimilation or seek deliverance from it.”

Your first reaction would be, “Huh?” Corporate America is bent on saving face instead of money. This doesn't make sense. When asked why they would rather have an English major to do their editing and proofreading they reply “It's always worked in the past. Why change now?” To which I usually reply “Man used to hunt his meals with a stick, but then some smart ass invented the gun!” I have nothing against English majors but diagramming sentences is not very creative in the corporate world. What is needed is a view of communication from someone who not only is a good communicator but one who can put it on paper aw well.

Should we leave Corporate America to her own devices bent on destruction? Do you love this country enough to be willing to sacrifice your time from your own keyboard and computer screen to sit behind theirs and bring them up to speed on writing for business and government?

• Acknowledging a person's feelings is the first of five key factors in separating the people from the problem. This aids the cohesion of the group through empathy and shows other members that they really mean something.
• Determining the specific behavior causing intense feelings is another factor that plays a role in being a cooperative group member and helps members understand why a person might be feeling the way they do about a topic.
• Assessing the intensity and importance of the issue is the third one in the list of five, and has to do with rating the importance of the issue that is causing conflict in direct proportion to the subject matter of the group as a whole.
• Inviting the other person to join you in working toward a solution will also help the cohesion of the group by, once again, showing how important the individual is to the group as a whole.
• Making positive relational statements is always a wise move to make while building cooperation during a conflict.

Being objective is one of the most difficult things people attempt while working with others today. With the rise of “having it your way” and “you deserve a break today” life styles, Americans have grown cold isolated beings. Participation in small groups can lift the stifled air of isolation and show us how we can work together for a common goal even though it might bring conflict along for the ride. Objectivity carries a lot of clout in many circles where conflict arises mainly because we can state criteria that is based on more than just our opinion.

Separating the people from the problem, focusing on shared interests, generating many options to solve problems, and basing decisions on objective criteria are just some of the ways to build cooperation within a group in a time of conflict.