For your blog this week, think of someone (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 one person who demonstrates competent communication is my father. I selected him outta array of other individuals because I deem him to be the most effective helpful person. Some behaviors that my father exhibits; are great listener, sympathetic, knowledgeable on many subjects, always willing to help, and has great advice.
For example during my first year of college, my father "told" me that when I begin getting my refund checks from my student loans, that I would send them back immediately. Being a first year college student I didn't understand why I had to give this money back right away; in the same manner that I saw all my other friends going across the street to the mall and going shopping. He explained to me, that in the long run when it comes time to having to pay my loans back that I will already have a head start and will not have fell behind. Trying it his way, I then noticed when the statements came, I was actually ahead of my payments. Had I not had my father to guide me in submitting what was right and not being careless, I would have been behind and possibly messed up my credit.
I would like to model some of my own communication behaviors after my father, with listening because some people just need somebody to listen to them and not provide any comments or criticisms. I also would like to be more sympathetic, because even if I can't be successful in helping, I can at least try.
Sherrell,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your father was a very wise person and great role model for you in terms of effective communication. You mention several traits that he possessed that made him a great communicator such as being knowledgeable, sympathetic and willing to help. It sounds like he followed the National Communication Association Credo for Ethical Communication principle which states “we strive to understand and respect other communicators before evaluating and responding to their messages” (p. 15). You also mention that he was a good listener. Based on some of the other blog posts on this topic, it seems that being a good listener is considered to be one of the most important characteristics of an effective communicator.
Geralyn
Reference:
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s
Sherrell,
ReplyDeleteFrom your example, it sounds like you are on your way to being an effective communicator because of your listening skills. Your father may have given good advice but if you didn't listen, the outcome would have been totally different. Sometimes we don't want to hear what others are telling us. We make judgments before hearing the whole message. By responding too quickly, we may miss a very important part of a conversation. Luckily for you there was effective communication between you and your father. Thanks
Mary Jo
Sherrell,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. Listening is such a great skill. Your father also seems to be a wise man!