Evaluation of the Communicator

As a communicator I am influenced by both cognition and behavior (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2009).  Cognition refers to those thoughts which I possess about myself and others whereas behaviors refer to the verbal and non-verbal messages and it affects behavior. 

All three assessments produced the same categories of results.  What was surprising to me was the similarity in the results. It is clear that the 2 persons who evaluated me (my brother and a co-worker) do possess a clear idea of my strengths and my weaknesses.  They are fully aware of my reactions to various situations.  While they were completing the assessments they kept saying you will not do that or you will do that. The relationship that we have fostered over the years made it easy for the 2 individuals to produce such similar assessment.

 One of the differences I observed was the variance on the continuum.  My brother’s assessment of myself and my own assessment on the Communication Anxiety Inventory (CAI) were both on the lower side of the scale with a difference of 1.  My co-worker assessment of me on the CAI was towards the higher end of the continuum When I compare my co-worker assessment to mine on the CAI there was a notable difference of 6 (Rubin, Palmgreen & Sypher, 2009).

 Two of the insights gained this week about communication are:

Self-Presentation requires communicators to find the appropriate level of self-monitoring for the situation and the people involved in order to communicate successfully.  Being aware of this, on a professional and personal basis will always help me to monitor the signals from the communicators so that interest is sustained in order for the desired objectives will be achieved.

 Self-Disclosure refers to the amount of information one share with others. It can be considered a tool for confirming our self-concept or improving our self-esteem (O’ Hair Wiemann, 2009 cited Miller, Cooke, Tsang & Morgan 1992). Both on a personal level and a professional level care must be exercised in terms of the quality and quantity of information that is shared because one can lose the respect of others should the lines become blurred and that can be very dangerous. 

Self -reflection is a good practice to embrace since it will identify areas of strengths and weaknesses so as a communicator who seeks to attain competence in communication, I will work towards eradicating those areas of weaknesses.

Reference
O’Hair, D., Friedrich, G. W., & Dixon, L. D. (2011). Strategic communication in business and the

professions. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Rubin, R. B., Palmgreen, P., & Sypher, H. E. (Eds.) (2009). Communication research measures: A sourcebook. New York: Routledge.

Intercultural Communication

I do communicate differently with people from different groups and cultures.  My depth of involvement with people from different groups and cultures will depend on the extent to which we “are tuned into the same level of meaning,” that is, the factual or emotional-content messages. I seek to structure the discussion within persons comfort zone so they remain very comfortable while sharing with me.  It requires me to behave in ways that are appropriate by becoming knowledgeable motivated and skilled at communicating with others (Beebe, Beebe & Redmond, 2011).

 When relating to persons whose culture is different to mine I tend to be very mindful of the type of information I disclose.  I pay close attention to their language as well as non-verbal cues.  For example, about three weeks ago, a lady who spent a number of years living abroad returned to her homeland and she is desirous of establishing a early childhood centre so she was enquiring about the guidelines for doing so.  Throughout our initial conversation, I asked lots of questions and listened attentively in order to understand her contexts and the feasible of such a venture becoming a reality.  I also avoided negative judgment about the success of the venture.  She is aware that based on her experiences, what she is seeking to bring is quite unique, of very high standard so I sort to encourage her even though I would have shared with her the general cost families pay towards such a service.

It is important that we consider other persons world view or frame of reference and use their cultural priorities and assumptions when communicating (Beebe, Beebe & Redmond, 2011).   This is necessary in order to accomplish purpose.  It helps to avoid cultural noise and distortion.

Reference

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Making Assumptions

In the show “Uncle Buck” I assumed the man was transporting his daughter to class and he attempted to advice her but she wanted no guidance. She was very angry so she withheld her speech.  On reaching her destination, she alighted from the vehicle in disgust.  The man later telephoned a lady, I assumed she was his wife.  She became angry and he was seen reminiscing on some better days as he viewed an album.  Later he returned for his daughter who being accompanied by her boyfriend.  There were angry exchanges again between daughter and father until they arrived home.  Young brother assisted in the kitchen, before calling his mother and the girls seem very unhappy, the bigger one was complaining to her mother before the father spoke to the mother using another line while the daughter was seen ease dropping.

 On watching the show with the sound turned on, I realized that the man was not the girl’s father he was the caretaker.  While transporting her to school he was enquiring from her whether he should return for her, that she was not pleased.  On his return the young girl was in the company of her boyfriend.  The caretaker attempted to converse with her but she was not very please.  He asked her the guy’s name and added a derogatory surname to the name in a bit to humiliate her so she tried to defend herself.  The young brother assisted happily with the chores.  The phone rang, spoke to children. The daughters were very displeased that their mother left them in the company of the caretaker.  The bigger daughter told her mother that the caretaker was ruining her life.  She was ease dropping for a while when the caretaker took the call on another line. 

My assumptions would have been more accurate if I was familiar with the show.  We must exercise caution when relying on non-verbal communication alone to arrive at conclusions.  Reception and attention are important factors in perception.  By not being able to hear the exchanges at first would have affected my ability to accurately determine the communication.  A person whose hearing or sight is affected is likely to experience inaccurate perception (O’Hair, Friedrich & Dixon, 2011).

Reference

O’Hair, D., Friedrich, G. W., & Dixon, L. D. (2011). Strategic communication in business and the professions. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Competent Communication

It was only this week my brother and I were speaking about a pastor who is extremely eloquent with the English language.  We indicated that he is an effective communicator when it comes to preaching.  He is able to take you through the process with ease because he is excellent at manipulating the language and create such clear imagery which at times can be quite witty.  There is no other person in his fraternity that we are aware of that can communicate so appropriately and effectively.  We even alluded to the fact that most likely he reads a lot but he has excellent retention capacity.  O’Hair & Wiemann (2009) stated that competent communication must be both appropriate and effective.  In order words, it must help us to fulfill the demands of the situation as well as the expectations of the audience, in addition, to the attainment of our goals.   

I will not object to modeling some of my own communication behaviors after this person because I am always impressed by people who can communicate effectively.  I certainly believe it enhances one’s repertoire of skills and increases his/her chances at succeeding in life.  These persons are usually selected as group leaders; they are highly acknowledged and generally succeed at interviews.  Their chances for promotion are almost guaranteed if one were to be judged only the basis of communication.

References

O’Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2009). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s.