Communication Week 4

For our blog this week, we had to think about the similarities and differences between how you evaluated yourself as a communicator and how others evaluated you. What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why? What other insights about communication did you gain this week? Choose at least two to share with others through your blog and consider how each might inform your professional work and personal life.

In communicating what surprised me was how I evaluated myself in how I have some anxiety in communicating that influences others. I thought I would have great communication with influencing others. I was very surprised because I always felt that I had great influence and able to steer others in positive directions. In discussions with the class other insights I gained were that in making judgments by viewing a picture of someone we tend make more judgments than if we meet them face to face. We obtain more information by communicating with the person verbally. We should definitely not put as much depth and scope based on a picture of someone answering general questions.

I believe going forward in my professional and personal life. I know that speaking publicly is one of main goals that I need to improve. Listening is one of my greatest assets. I have always been a great listener and being sensitive to ones issues. I have also learned that in being able to communicate it is necessary I am mindful in how I gain the ability to become more of an influence especially in the education sector.

COMMUNICATION STYLES

In this week's blog assignment we were asked the question “Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?

Based on what you have learned this week share at least three strategies you could use to help you communicate more effectively with the people or groups you have identified.

I find myself communicating with colleagues at work in which I keep communication about the job sometimes sharing family life but always being professional. I think it is important to be professional but socialize in respectful and professional ways. I could communicate more effectively with my colleagues by striking up conversations with others from different departments finding out more about what they do in their particular department. I also believe that being other-oriented will help me at my employer as well staying motivated to develop positive relationships with others who are different from me will help with communicating in intercultural competent ways.   

I also communicate differently with elderly people whom I come in contact with especially in my line of work. I have to be an active listener. Some tend to stereotype towards our elderly, making the assumption that they are all slow and not sharp as they are.  I believe strategies such as eye contact, a hug for comfort helps with communicating letting them feel reassured and that you understand them. I recognize that establishing rapport gives them a sense of comfort you want to be kind and understanding. You also have to be patient knowing that they may need an extra amount of time. In communicating verbally know that you may need to talk slow and pronounce words slowly and accurately. I understand as well that due to their experiences of cultural and historical events they will view life differently. Evidence has shown that we hold stereotypical views of others in reference to their perceived ages (Beebe, Beebe & Redmond, 2011).

References:

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Chapter 4, "Interpersonal Communication and Diversity: Adapting to Others" (pp. 85–114)

 

COMMUNICATION

This week’s blog assignment we had to watch a television show with the volume turned off and then watch it with the volume up. The show I decided to watch is a relatively new show called “Instant Mom” on Nickelodeon that my daughter watches. It is a show about a newly married couple where the father had three children from a previous marriage and he and his new wife have primary custody of the children. The relationships of the characters on the show are a family learning to blend their family with their new step-mom and her mom.  

They are expressing nonverbal behavior such as smiling, hugs, shoulder shrugging. They are also showing frowns at times as well mostly from the parents. I assumed they were not a loving family and were going to show how disruptive the children were and did not like the step-mom. I also assumed the children did not like their new step-mom. This show was truly a relatable show to our culture today it showed how the children were very well mannered towards their step-mom she is a few years younger than the dad she is more “hip” than the dad, she knows the latest slang and styles. I would say my assumptions of a show I know, would be more correct because it’s a show that I have seen and know the characters, how their personalities are shown and what they are typical of doing on the particular show.   

In learning about communication from this experience in watching this show I saw how communication is very much a necessity when you are a parent, adult, child, educator, etc. Children should learn how to communicate especially from their parents, families, and teachers. It is extremely important that they are taught this from a young age and are continued to be nurtured on how to communicate as they grow into adulthood.

Someone who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context:

In this week's blog assignment we have to select someone who we think (e.g., family member, celebrity, politician, friend, or professor) who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context. What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not?

The person who I have chosen who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context is Steve Harvey. I listen to him on his radio show every morning when I am driving to work. He is a comedian who really communicates and connects with his audience. He shows you how to communicate within your relationships with people by listening and being attentive. He advises you on how to be able to communicate you have to be able to have dialogue and willing to listen. I would want to model some of my own communication behaviors after him in that I want to be able to grasp your attention and keep your attention.

I want to be a communicator who is confident and not afraid to be who I am and not waiver from my personality. He shows his true self by being genuine, expressing himself with class, tact and poise. He expresses to his audience that you have to be true to yourself and not try and put on any heirs.