Perceived Communicator

I was intrigued that my husband perceived me as a more situational anxious communicator and my mother perceived me as a smooth, confident communicator. I found myself right in the middle, according to  Rubin, R. B., Palmgreen, P., & Sypher, H. E. (Eds.) (2009). Communication research measures: A sourcebook. New York: Routledge. I the analyzed this to reflect how and what I share with them. Also how I am comfortable being or portraying myself in various relationships.

I found that I do allow my empathy and trust to cloud my judgment of the situation at hand. This is an area that I aim to work on so I can be an effective communicator in my work as a trainer and presenter in the early childhood field. I also affirmed that I am people oriented and genuinely empathetic, I also hope to maintain this listening style yet to use it as a strength in providing support and guidance.

Communication and Culture

I do find myself communicating differently with various people outside of my immediate culture. I aim to respect their culture yet that is limited to what I know about them.  I mostly attempt to communicate with the respect for their humanity, their rights, their feelings and their perspectives. Granted I tend to blurt out various things that may not be sensitive or culturally responsive, but this is an area I am continually working on. While communicating I avoid stereotypes and clichés, I work to hold in my strong beliefs and opinions. I also try to listen to what and how they are communicating to provide me with clues to their thoughts and feelings.  I probably do this ‘more reflective communication’ with people from different cultures than myself because I simply am not that familiar or knowledgeable of who they are and where they come from. Those in my immediate family and immediate social groups I speak more without thinking first, not always the best way to communicate regardless of my comfort. I may get myself in more trouble while communicating with those closest to me.

Competent Communicator

I cannot think of one singular person that is an amazing communicator, but I can think MANY people that do have and use amazing communicating skills and aim to be even better. The attributes in communicators that I aim to model are: positive, serious, compassionate, funny, informative, and truly interested. Also those that really listen, follow through with what they claim, model in voice and gestures that in which they claim, and take time to connect to others. I particularly enjoy listening to speakers that have these skills as well.