Who am I as a Communicator?

This assignment has really enlightened me because during the process of having a coworker and a family member complete the survey’s on how they feel I communicate we all scored within the the same categories for all three survey’s which tells me that I am able to understand how others feel about the way in which I communicate.

This assignment helps me to also realize that the way that others perceive your communication skills is also very important especially working with children and families.  It is very important to ensure that you maintain a good balance of respect and consideration for the viewpoints of others and to not be very aggressive and argumentative.

Communication and Culture

Yes, I think that I communicate differently with people from different groups and cultures.  In communicating with people from different groups and cultures I can honestly say that I base my communication style on who I’m talking to.  When I talk to friends and family I am able to speak without necessarily worrying about saying things that may offend someone or disrespect ones culture.  

The three strategies that I think would be useful in helping me communicate more effectively with the people and groups identified are:

1. To try and see things from their eyes and realize that everyone may not have the same type background and upbringing that I did.
2. Not judging others.  By listening and gaining understanding than I would get from a first impression.
3. Be aware of nonverbal communication.
   

Silent Communication

The show I watched was season 1 Episode of the sitcom Still Standing.  I had not only never watched this show I’ve never heard of it.  I was able to watch it on You Tube.  

The first seen was mother and daughter looks as though they were greeting each other in the morning.  The little girl then becomes  angry all of a sudden.   She then starts to look annoyed and when a man walks in she looks happy again.  They move over to the table and begin to start talking.  The mother and father seem to be amused while the little girl seems to be frustrated and using hand gestures to make her point.  She jumps up from the table and storms off as though she was upset.  When I listened to this part of the show I was pretty dead on the mom and daughter greeted each other in the kitchen and the daughter asked if she could get a belly ring when her mother says no she instantly got upset and shouting that it was unfair.  When dad walked in she thought she would win him over but he agreed with mom and that upset her so she go up and went to her room.

The second seen was the father walks into the sons room.  He walks over and leans in close to him while he was working on the computer.  They seem to be having a good conversation and dad then starts banging on the computer.  He gets up and they pull chairs together it appears that they are having a man talk they are smiling, shaking their heads and mouths are open.   When watching the show with words the father comes in and asks the son if he is going to blow up his school or do something crazy.  They then as I assumed started talking about girls.

This assignment has really enlightened me by helping me to see that body language can really tell a lot.  I was able to tell that the family was upset and what the men were talking about just by the way that they used body language.  The way that we use nonverbal communication can tell a story that we may not want told.  In my opinion it is very important that when using body language we are not giving the wrong impression of what’s being communicated.

Competent Communicators

Barack Obama the president of the United States and in my opinion an example of a great communicator. He has the ability to connect with his audience by being able to identify with average Americans. He delivers his speeches with confidence and self-belief. During his political debates he seems to be very comfortable with the audience. He took each question from the audience and gave a very personable response. I think this makes him a good communicator because he makes the listeners believe in his vision and inspires them.  Although he is highly ridiculed, Obama was successful in making the audience (people of America) believe in his message of change. 

He understands that it is not only enough to know your facts but it is also essential that you deliver them while holding the audience attention.  He also uses common sense and does not swear or tell jokes during his speeches or while answering questions.  He thinks about what he wants to say before speaking, and doesn't interrupt or start talking while someone else is still speaking to him.  I think that he respects the opinions of others by asking for their input and he repeats back what he heard in insure clarity of what he heard.  Overall he understands the importance of words.

I would model my communication skills like Mr. Obama because I would want my audience to feel that I can identity with them.  If I could be a positive influence and inspire others with the words I use I think that would be wonderful.