Who Am I As A Communicator, How Do Others Perceive Me As A Communicator

 

Who Am I As A Communicator

                        How Do Others Perceive Me As A Communicator

 

Effective communication is essential to all relationships.  Not only what you say but how you say it determines how others view you.  I think the assessments that we were required to take for this assignment were very good.  It was fun finding out how we view ourselves versus how others view us. 

The first assessment was communication anxiety inventory which during my self-evaluation, I scored a 33.  This was at the low level or at the very top and stated that I am comfortable communicating in most situations and show confidence when anticipating such encounters.  When evaluated by my sister the score was 29 and when evaluated by my colleague the score was as 33.  It was interesting to see how our perceptions were very much alike in regard to my anxiety when communicating with others.  I find it rather stress less speaking in front of large or small groups of people.  I felt that the scores depended on how well these people know me and what type of relationship we have. 

The second assessment was verbal aggressiveness scale which during my self-evaluation I scored a 58 which was at the moderate.  At this level I maintain a good balance between respect and consideration for other’s viewpoints, I argue fairly, regarding the facts of the position rather than the person who holds it.  When evaluated by my sister and my colleague the scores were 54 and 56 which were at the moderate level where mine was also.   If at all possible I try to avoid arguments, conflicts or confrontations.  If they do occur, I always try to be fair and not be judgmental toward any of the parties involved.  I am not perfect, but I do try to do right by people in all types of situations.   

The third assessment was listening styles profile which during my self-evaluation as well my sister and my colleague placed me in Group 1 which was people –oriented.  This means that I am concerned with the emotions of others.  This listening style helps me to build relationships but at the same time can interfere with my judgment because I put too much trust in others.  These assessments did not surprise me at all because this is the way that I am. 

This was an exercise that helped me realize the areas where my strengths and weaknesses are in various areas of communication.  I have also come to realize the ways in which others perceive me. 

Communication between Different Groups and Cultures

Communication between Different Groups and Cultures

 

Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?  If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?

I do communicate differently when I speak with people from different groups or cultures.  It is amazing how sometimes we are laid back, professional, humorous, or intrigued by other groups or cultures.  When communicating with my family I am more laid back and talk about almost anything.  I have four sisters and three brothers.  When we are at gatherings we talk about the old days and when we were in school and how it was growing up.  I am very informal meaning I use slang words more.  It makes me feel very comfortable communicating with them because of how close we all are.   

I am a school teacher who teaches children with disabilities and developmental delays.  When I interact with my colleagues I am more formal because I take my job seriously.   I am courteous, speak clearly, listen carefully, and make sure that I have eye contact act all times.  I can tell the difference from when I am with my family and when I am at work.    

I have friends from Jamaica who I frequently socialize with.  I found that when communicating with them, I have to be respectful and choose my words carefully so as not to overstep by boundaries or say something that is offensive to them or their culture unintentionally.  I use less facial expression and more body language when communicating with them because I find that it is easier to interact with them this way. 

Three strategies that I could use to help me communicate more effectively with the people or groups I have identified include:

(1)   I must communicate constructively in order to develop and maintain   

            effective relationships, mutual trust and confidence. 

 

(2)   I must make efforts where language barriers exist, to communicate

            in the most effective way possible, verbally and non-verbally. 

(3)   I must be a good listener in order to communicate in ways that will

            enhance my growth personally and professionally. 

Communication Assignment

 

COMMUNICATION ASSIGNMENT

 

I chose to watch the television show Meet the Jacksons.  The show was about an African American family, husband, wife and son and daughter.  They appear to be an upper class family.  The wife is a doctor and the father a lawyer.  The daughter is older than the son; they appear to be maybe 13 and 12 years old.  The son and the daughter do not appear to be getting along with each other; they always have frowns on their faces throughout the entire show until the end.  The husband and wife seem to have a good relationship.  They are always seen happy and smiling, and talking to the children.  The children and the parents get along well.   The son complains to his father about his sister and the daughter complains to her mother about her brother.  They get along well at the end of the episode.  There were various non-verbal feelings expressed such as smiles, frown, some eye contact and not eye contact at times, hand gestures, hugs, kisses, etc.

After watching the show with the sound on, I realized that some of my assumptions regarding the son and daughter were in accurate.  In this episode, the only reason they were not getting along was because they were both running for president of a club at school.   They never showed them while they were at school, therefore I would never have known that this was the reason they always seemed mad at one another.   Apparently, the son had more friends at school that were going to vote for him than his sister.  She told him that he was making promises that he would not keep in order for the students at school to vote for him.  This is where they began disliking each other.  I just assumed they just did not get along.   At the end of the show they sit down and talk to each other and work out their differences. 

This was an assignment that helped me realize that our assumptions can always be misinterpreted very easily.  It showed me that effective communication, verbal as well as non-verbal are very important and it is also good to be a good effective listener.

 

 

 

Demonstration of Competent Communication

DEMONSTRATION OF COMPETENT COMMUNICATON

Competent communication is being able to choose a communication behavior that is effective as well as appropriate for a given situation.  Basically it is the ability to interact well with others.  One of my best friends, Samantha is a flight attendant.  She has to be able to interact well with the passengers, have a soft but firm tone of voice because there is much that can be interpreted from someone’s tone of voice,  choose her words carefully in regard to the choice of words she chooses because it shows how she is perceived by the passengers on the plane.   Non-verbal communication is also important in this particular context.  Passengers look at how you dress, how much eye contact you make, your body language and most of all your facial expressions.  Samantha has always said that being able to communicate well is the basis of passenger satisfaction.  Yes, I would want to model some of my own communication behaviors after my friend Samantha because it will allow me not only to communicate well with others, but also interact well with them.