The cartoon I chose shows two employees talking about their boss, saying, “When I first started working here, I thought our boss would be a good listener. But, that hasn’t been the case.” This ties perfectly into what we’ve been learning in this chapter, especially under the key term “listening skills” and the subheading “barriers to effective communication.” The cartoon shows how poor listening, especially from someone in a leadership role, can really impact the workplace environment.

This also ties in with what the article mentioned about the growing number of communication ethics courses on college campuses. These classes are designed to help students think about the deeper meaning behind how we communicate not just speaking, but really listening with purpose. It’s more than just sharing your opinion. It’s about being fully present, paying attention to others, and showing respect. That kind of mindful listening is exactly what’s missing in the cartoon and unfortunately, in a lot of real workplaces too.

I can relate to this cartoon personally. At one of my past jobs, I had a manager who would ask for feedback but then ignore what we said. It made us feel unheard and frustrated, and eventually no one even bothered speaking up. That’s exactly what poor communication can lead to silence and disconnection. Reading about the development of communication as its own academic field really makes me appreciate how important this stuff is, not just in theory, but in everyday work life.

This cartoon connects to the chapter “Foundations: Defining Communication and Communication Study.” A key term from the chapter is “Communication Happens in Context.” The dinner table is a place where family members are expected to talk and spend time together. The woman is upset because the person across from her is not paying attention; they’re on their phone instead of engaging. Her angry comment is an example of nonverbal and verbal communication working together. Her face and words both show frustration and a demand for respect in that social moment.

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This reminds me of times when people around me including myself have used our phones during important moments, like when we’re out for dinner, instead of being fully present with each other. It can feel like the phone matters more than the people in front of you. I’ve seen situations where someone gets upset because no one is really “there” in the moment. This cartoon reminds me how important it is to be fully present, especially with people who care about you.