Similarities and Differences in Communication Styles

In considering the similarities and differences in evaluating my communication styles my husband, fellow coworker, and myself were mostly in agreement and the numbers varied very little.  All three assessments including my own saw my listening style profile as group 1 which is people-oriented, “empathetic and concerned with the emotions of others” (Rubin & Sypher, 2009, para. 1).  My personal assessment of verbal aggressiveness rating was 65 as was my husband and colleague’s evaluations fell within the moderate range of maintaining “a good balance between respect and consideration for others’ viewpoints, and the ability to argue fairly by attacking the facts of a position rather than the person holding that position” (Rubin & Sypher, 2009, para. 3).  The differences in scoring came in the communication anxiety inventory with me seeing myself at a 48 with moderate anxiety and my husband and colleague rating me within the mild range implicating I do not worry a great deal about communication.                                                                    

The insights I have gained from this week’s exercise is the part that schemas or “mental structures that put together related bits of information” (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 37) from past experiences play in our perceptions of others.  I was amazed at the scenarios created from a single picture.  “The truth is that for better or for worse, you glean quite a bit of information from first impressions” (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 37).  I also learned about how I perceive my own communication skills compared to how others see me.  I thought the assignments were enlightening about communication styles and potential hindrances to competent communication.                                                       

The reading assignments this week shared information on perceptual barriers and the important of “mindfulness, being respectful of others, and maintain an accurate perception of the situation” (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 44) to effective intercultural exchange.  As teachers/caregivers we have a common goal to provide quality learning experiences for the children in our programs and this can best be accomplished through building a rapport and successful communication with children and families.  It also requires effective communication with coworkers, other professionals and community resources.  In successfully communicating in a diverse society teachers/caregivers must learn about cultural diversity and understand that families communicate differently to best meet the needs of the children in the classroom.      

References

O’Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York, NY: Bedford/St. Martins

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

Communicating Differently with People from Different Groups and Cultures

Communicating Differently with People from Different Groups and Cultures

Concerning cultural diversity and communicating with children, families, colleagues, community members whether from different cultures, racial or ethnic groups, socioeconomic class, religious beliefs, political affiliations, sexual orientations, or varying abilities all should be within the context of mutual respect and cooperation.  Effective communication skills involve actively listening to build understanding and expressing oneself to be understood—no one communication style works with everyone.  “In order to avoid quarrels and distress with the neighbor, a person of a different ethnic background, gender or age one must achieve competency in inter-cultural communications” (Vuckovic, 2008, p. 47).  It is so important to communicate in a thoughtful and accepting manner and strive to see information from another’s perspective.  According to Vuckovic (2008) perception is “the way in which an individual receives and actively samples information from the surrounding environment” (p. 49).                                                                                                                                                                

One strategy in communicating differently with diverse groups is to carefully observe both verbal and nonverbal actions and behaviors.  “Listen carefully to the tone of voice, tempo of speech, and the intensity of the physical and emotional undertones of the gestures” (Swim & Watson, 2011, p. 178).  Touch, eye contact, personal space are most often linguistic conventions that are culturally based and it is important to learn how culture influences communication to develop a rapport and greater understanding of others.  The second strategy I would implement is to know the strengths and areas of need in communicating with children, families, colleagues, and others that may need additional support.  Our area has a very high rate of poverty and I will include community resources regularly as part of our communication.  “Although we may not intend anything negative, sometimes we unintentionally offend someone through more subtle use and misuse of language” (Beebe & Beebe, 2011, p. 89).  Therefore, the third strategy would be to take into consideration the sexual orientation, religious convictions and political affiliations of others although they may differ from our own beliefs and values we must conduct all interactions and communications within the context of respect and skilled disagreement.

References

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

Swim, T. J., & Watson, L. (2011). Infants and toddlers: Curriculum and teaching (7^th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning

Vuckovic, A. (2008). Inter-cultural communication: A foundation of communicative action. Multicultural Education and Technology Journal, 2(1), 47–59.

Observing Communication Skills and Styles

Observing Communication Skills and Styles

I rarely watch television the extent to which I watch is Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.  I watched the last 30 minutes of a movie called The Family Man with Nicholas Cage and Tea Leoni.  I don’t have a recorder so I borrowed a movie I had wanted to watch from my daughter-in-law.  I watched the last 30 minutes without sound and when I started watching a lady is lying in the bed and a man is sitting next to her bed in a chair talking to her.  He walks out of the room and takes a dog for a walk.  Then it is back to the bedroom and he is sitting watching her sleep trying to stay awake.  The next scene he wakes up in a different bedroom and in a different bed with someone knocking on the door.  It is a beautiful young lady and he walks past her. He goes to a house from a posh apartment in a very fancy car to a nice but modest neighborhood and knocks on the door.  A man comes to the door and they talk and he leaves. He gets back in the car and he answers the phone.                                                                                                                       

The next scene he is at a board meeting and everyone seems to be looking to him for answers.  He leaves and goes to his car and makes a phone call.  He arrives at another building where someone is moving.  He engages the lady in a conversation and she gives him a box and it is the same lady that he was sitting at her bedside and she dismisses him.  He takes the box that has different items including English Leather cologne, a yo-yo, and a picture.  He seems sad and pensive. He gets back in his car driving very fast and goes to the airport.  He is running through the airport and she is getting ready to board the plane.  He yells to her and she turns around and he keeps taking to her although she continues to board the plane.  He says something and she stops.  Then next scene they are sitting at a table looking out a window and it is snowing they seemed to be very involved with each other and enjoying the conversation.                                                                                                                                                           

It was a little confusing without being able to listen to the conversations, but you get an idea of what is occurring. Having seen It Is a Wonderful Life I got an idea that it was something similar to it.  I believed that he was in love with the lady and she did not trust him. When I listened to the movie my assumptions were true that it was a feel good movie with a happy ending—I love happy endings.  It was similar to It Is a Wonderful Life and Jack was given the opportunity to see his life with Kate if he had made different choices.   Having been given an opportunity to glimpse what was truly important in life he was determined to make this a reality for Kate and himself.  I believe it would have been easier to follow and my assumptions more correct if I had been familiar with the characters and the roles they play.   

Competent Communicator

America’s Pastor—The Reverend Billy Graham

A person that I consider to be an eloquent and effective communicator is Reverend Billy Graham. He goes down in history as the only preacher to be acquainted and advisor to every president since 1950 including President Barack Obama. Reverend Billy Graham used the media to get his message of Christianity and Jesus Christ out in a live audience format on radio and television and is still being rebroadcast today.  According to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (2013) more than 3.2 million people have responded to the invitation at the Crusades to accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior. As of 2008, Graham's estimated lifetime audience, including radio and television broadcasts, topped 2.2 billion.  “For the 56th time since 1955, Billy Graham has made the USA Today/Gallup Top 10 list of Most Admired Men in the World” (Freeze, 2013, para. 1).                                                                                                                               

The qualities that I deem that makes him such a persuasive speaker are not only his powerful and well-articulate way of speaking, but it is the amazing way in which he connects to the audience that stands out.  “Successful people usually have a well-developed set of skills that allows them to do their work successfully, inspiring others in the process” (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 19).  I remember as a child sitting with my Daddy in front of the television watching the Reverend Billy Graham.  He would place his hands upon the podium and with a clear commanding voice and there would be silence among the thousands gathered to listen to him preach the gospel.  His distinctive voice would fill the stadium as he preached the power of the love of God.  Reverend Graham said, “You must come publicly if you profess Jesus before men, He will profess you before His Father.”  Thousands would come forward.  Reverend Graham’s words and presence were so stirring and moving that my Daddy and I would cry and I rarely saw my Daddy cry.  Yes, I would love to model my communication behaviors after this person because I greatly admire his ability to connect with others and express his beliefs and opinions in a way that is well received.    

References

Freeze, T. (2013). Billy Graham among most admired 56^th time. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Retrieved from http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=9138

O’Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martins