Week 4 Who Am I as a Communicator?

For your blog this week, think about the similarities and differences between how you evaluated yourself as a communicator and how others evaluated you. 

What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why? 

What other insights about communication did you gain this week? 

This was a very interesting week, an eye opening experience on how others perceptions of how I communicate are similar or different from my own.   I chose to let a professional colleague and a neighbor evaluate how I communicate. The biggest variance I found was in the level on the verbal aggressiveness scale.  

http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6165/04/mm/quiz/quiz_verbal/index.html 

I scored myself as 64 or moderate level and others scored me much higher at a 76 or significant level.  This means that I am portraying argumentativeness and attacking others positions or statements with verbal aggression.  What some call verbal aggression, I call passion.  It has been interesting to learn of their interpretation of my communication skills as aggressive.  Now I will be more aware of this and self-observant/ reflective during communication interactions both professionally and personally. Being aware of this tendency will help others feel more comfortable in communicating in not only formal, but also informal situations.   

As for the anxiety inventory and listening profile, all the scores were very similar, which validates that I am communicating well on some level.  

http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6165/04/mm/quiz/quiz_communication/index.html

http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6165/04/mm/quiz/quiz_listening/index.html

Week 3 Blog Assignment

Think about the cultural diversity you see in your colleagues at school, in your neighborhood, in your workplace, and also, possibly, within your family. Consider all the aspects that make up culture, including race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, varying abilities, and so on.

• Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?
• If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?

Based on what you have learned this week, share at least three strategies you could use to help you communicate more effectively with the people or groups you have identified. 

-Communication always varies from context to context depending on formality and factors of culture, race, religion... I do communicate differently in each scenario and situation.  This week has helped me tremendously in my personal life.  I am using the tools an concepts I have learned about to evaluate how (and why) I communicate the way I do.  At work, where I am more formal, I am beginning to be more open to colleagues cultures and experiences and how they CONTRIBUTE to the conversation, not inhibit it.  I am practicing the concept of empathy and platinum rule while working with children and families from different cultures from my own.  At home, I am using skills of observing non-verbal cues while my family communicates, and then I am helping others see a more effective approach to this communication. 

Below is a link to an article describing the "Double Platinum Rule"- this article is based on customer service, but can easily be applied to the early childhood education field.  it basically states that "Treat others the way they don't even know they want to be treated." but ALSO anticipate, anticipate, anticipate. Don't just meet your people's needs and expectations, EXCEED them.  

Grounding our thinking in the these rules works well, because it heightens your empathy (Golden Rule); encourages a keen focus on others' expectations (Platinum Rule); and challenges us to consistently think of ways to exceed those expectations (Double Platinum Rule). 

http://www.naylornetwork.com/ahh-nwl/articles/?aid=63803&projid=3808

Week 2: Communication Skills: Language, Nonverbal, Listening

Blog Assignment:

For this assignment, again consider what you have been learning about communication skills and styles. Then record an episode of a television show you do not normally watch. Watch the show with the sound turned off.

• What do you think the characters’ relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating?
• What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing? 

Now, watch the show with the sound turned on.

• What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed?
• Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well? 

This was a very interesting and eye opening assignment.  I chose to explore "The Big Bang Theory" sitcom.  With the sound turned off, I would of never guessed the characters were friends and in a social circle.  Their facial expressions were extremely interesting and powerful without words.  Based on nonverbal behavior, I would assume the characters were in constant confusion or disagreement over something.  I noted body language of being uncomfortable, having mistrust, or dislike and the plot was difficult to decipher.  When I watched the episode again with the sound the plot was extremely clear and facial expressions/ nonverbal cues seemed to match the verbal communication and exchanges.  If I had been watching a show I knew well, I would have been able to more clearly decipher the communication without verbal cues. 

EDUC-6165-7 Communicating and Collaborating in the Early Childhood Field

Blog Assignment #1 





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? 

For this reflection, I chose my direct supervisor and colleague with whom I have a proud affiliation.  She is also a valued mentor on managerial techniques as well as communication techniques.   Her style is consultative, which is very different from my own.  I appreciate how she utilizes this style in communication with her staff in all her communication interactions.  She is an active listener who validates all participants with affirmation, respect, and appreciation.  She is purposeful in speaking and respectful in her nonverbal communication.  I enjoy communicating and collaborating with her.  Because our styles are so extremely different (I am competitive, controlling and aggressive), I am learning how to appreciate being more sensitive, open and understanding in communication exchanges.  

Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person?

I am currently working on adapting my communication behaviors to reflect this style.  I have found (through experiences and observation) that it is effective when working with colleagues.  The objective of communication is to produce a positive result and attain goal achievement.  

For a quick and gentle reminder on effective communication skills recommended in the workplace, I have used:

http://workawesome.com/communication/effective-communication-skills/