Communication
is a very complex process and is a very important part of our everyday life. It
is a never ending process and is constantly taking place. It is important for
individuals to be able to communicate efficiently and effectively with one
another. There are many ways to improve how we communicate with one another.
Classes such as this one can help improve an individual’s way of communicating
with others. Let’s discuss some reasons why I feel communication is important.
Communication
is very important to everyone. One form of communication that occurs among
individuals is known as interpersonal communication. Interpersonal
communication is a term “reserved for two-person, face-to-face interaction and
is often used interchangeably with the term dyadic communication” (Trenholm, 2011,
p. 134). Being able to display good spoken language and listening skills is
imperative when communicating with others.
The
world is made up of many different individuals from many different countries
and cultures. I believe it is important to learn about the correct ways to
communicate with people from different backgrounds and how to avoid saying or
doing something that might accidently offend them. Studying communication
allows you to learn the skills to overcome barriers that prevent effective
communication with others.
The
way I communicate with others depends on how well I know them on a personal
level. When I communicate with individuals I know really well I speak more
freely and don’t worry about what I say. On the other hand, when I communicate
with individuals I don’t really know I tend to avoid using language that may
seem offensive or inappropriate to others. The social constructionist model
“emphasizes that we should take responsibility for the things we talk about and
the way we talk about them” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 30). It is important to use
language that is clear and is easy for individuals to understand when you are
communicating with them. This will help prevent any miscommunication that may
occur and prevent any possible arguments from taking place.
Good
listening skills are just as important to have as being able to display good
language skills. Listening skills are very important when communicating with
others. “Listening takes skill and mental effort” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 44). Many
miscommunication problems that occur are the result from poor listening skills.
Individuals who display good listening skills have better relationships with
others.
“Listening is more than just keeping quiet. Listening requires you to
train your brain to focus on the speaker instead of on yourself or your
surroundings” (Olsztynski, 2008). Whenever
I am communicating with others I try to limit distractions and I give them my
undivided attention. I make eye contact with them and I engage in conversation
with them so they know I am listening. “According to the psychological model, communication is unsuccessful whenever
the meanings intended by the source differ from the meanings interpreted by the
receiver” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 26). If I feel like I misunderstood something or
didn’t hear them the first time I ask them to repeat themselves. By displaying
good listening skills I am showing the person I am communicating with I value
what they have to say.
Another
important quality to have when communicating with others is the ability to
display good relationship skills with others. According to Jan Maizler,
relationship skills are the tools that build deep functional relationships
(2011). In order to maintain good relationships with others it is important to
be able to express how each other are feeling and to work out any conflicts
that might occur. An important relationship skill to have is the tolerance for
individual’s differences. “Any difference between two people is a potential for
conflict. Conflict breaks out when needs negotiation fail and tolerance is
absent” (Maizler, 2011). By displaying good spoken language skills and
listening skills individuals can use these skills to help maintain good
relationship skills.
Understanding
communication can be very beneficial in one’s personal and professional life. Studying
communication has given me the skills necessary to communicate better with
others. When I communicate with others I try to avoid barriers that could
prevent us from communicating effectively. I am more aware of others and how
not everyone communicates in the same manner.
Communication
can be defined in many different ways. According to our text book, communication
is “the transmission of information, ideas, emotions, skills, etc., by the use
of symbols—words, pictures, figures, graphs, etc” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 19).
After reviewing the different definitions in our text I found this one to be
the one I most agreed with. I believe communication can be found in many forms.
When people communicate with each other it can be verbally, written, or even by
the use of gestures. These different ways of communicating can help make
communication more effective.
Each
of us has our own traits and qualities that make us who we are. Some
individuals share the same traits and qualities while others do not. The
cognitive schemata model uses personal constructs which “are characteristics
that we notice on a daily basis about others” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 49). When I
judge others the personal constructs I choose usually vary depending on the person.
Stereotyping usually doesn’t play a role when I judge others. The constructs I
choose are usually based on how I see that person and how they behave and
interact with others.
Improving
relationships require a lot of hard work and dedication. Relationships don’t
happen as soon as you meet someone. When I first meet someone I am quiet and
reserved. I choose what information I want that individual to know. Once I get
to know that individual more I will open up and confide in them more. Once I
have established a close relationship with that individual I am open to discuss
anything and everything with them. I trust them and turn to them for advice and
guidance.
Group
communication can be very important. “Groups do not
suddenly manifest themselves as well-integrated, fully-functioning and
task-efficient teams” (Kernohan, 2011, p. 9). When you work in a group there
are going to be individuals in it that have different qualities and work
ethics. I believe I bring a lot of good qualities to the group that attribute
to our success. I am dedicated and hard working. I am also punctual so the
group can rely on me to be on time for meetings and accomplishing things before
their deadlines. I am also smart and I have a lot of knowledge to bring to the
group. I am friendly and I get along well with others and I think this is important
and will help the morale in the group stay high and positive.
“The individuals take different roles within
the group, that the individual chooses for himself or he is being chosen by the
group” (Boteanu, 2010). I think I have certain roles I take while being part of a group.
I usually don’t like to take charge and be the leader of the group. I rather
help the group come up with ideas and research information. I also like to
encourage everyone to participate and give their input about the information
being presented.
Individuals can become very territorial when communicating with
others. Everyone needs their own space and it is important to respect that. I am
definitely a territorial person. I enjoy the company of others and socializing
with them, but I also like the comfort of going home to where it is quiet and I
can get away from everyone else. I don’t really like to be around large groups
of people. I like my personal space and I much rather be around a smaller group
made up of people I know. I think this has an effect on how I communicate with
others and it is something I have had to learn to work on.
It is important to be able to communicate with your family. The
pragmatic model of communication states “the best way to understand and improve communication is to describe the
forms or patterns that the communication takes. If these patterns are
destructive, then the players should be encouraged to find more productive ways
of playing the communication game” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 34). My family and I
communicate very well with one another. We listen to each other’s problems and
help come up with ways to resolve the problem. We also communicate our wants
and needs with each other. It is important for families to communicate with
each other because it helps bring the members of the family closer together and
limits the amount of arguments that could take place.
In
order to be effective in an organization there are certain skills individuals
must obtain and display. An individual would benefit most by having good
work-content skills. Work-content skills are those “skills that are directly
related to a particular job” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 213). It is important for
individuals to have knowledge and some experience with the job they are doing
or are trying to do. I have eight years of experience in my job and I know that
I am very knowledgeable when it comes to my job. This makes me more qualified
and marketable than someone who has just started working.
Our
skills related to our personal attributes are also important to have. When
working in an organization it is important to be able to communicate
effectively with everyone. This helps prevent miscommunication and gets the job
accomplished quicker. I also believe punctuality is important. I hate being
late for anything and I always have to be early or on time for everything. When
people see that I am a very punctual person it shows them that I am reliable
and they can depend on me to be where I need to be and on time.
With
our ever changing society technology continues to become more advanced and is
seen more in the work place. I think it is important to have the basic skills
to use some of today’s most common technology. I think it is definitely
important to be familiar with the equipment you will be using and to know a
little knowledge about how it works and why it is used. This will help get the
job done more accurately and help prevent any mishaps from occurring. If I do
not know how to use the equipment I work with in my job then I could cause
damage to million dollar aircraft or worse someone could get hurt.
In
conclusion, communication is a very complex process. It is never ending and is
constantly taking place whether we realize it or not. There are several ways
individuals can communicate with one another. It is important to study
communication and to be able to understand how important effective
communication is. The more knowledgeable you are about communication the better
you will be at communicating with others effectively and efficiently.
References
Boteanu, M.. (2010).
Communication and Social Environment. Revista de Asistenta Sociala,(1),
70-78. Retrieved August 5, 2011, from ProQuest Social Science Journals.
(Document ID: 2027698121).
Kernohan,
E. (2011). Group Communication- Working
in teams. Retrieved August 4, 2011, from http://www.slideshare.net/hazelowendmc/group-communication-working-in-teams-by-elizabeth-kernohan.
Maizler, J. (2011). Relationship Skills. The Relationship
Handbook. Retrieved July 23, 2011, from http://www.enotalone.com/article/2683.html.
Olsztynski, J.. (2008, December).
Master the Art of Listening. National Driller, 29(12), 16,18. Retrieved
August 5, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry. (Document ID:
1602395761).
Trenholm,
S. (2011). Thinking Through Communication: An Introduction to the Study of
Human Communication (6th Edition).
Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.