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?
The one thing that surprised me the most about how
others evaluated me was how different my co-worker and my sister saw my
communication skills. My co-worker knows that I do not like to speak in public
and that it makes me nervous no matter what size the group is. My sister stated
that I liked to speak in groups and that I rarely get nervous. They both pretty
much agreed on my listening skills, they fell that I am the “perfect listener”
and they both agreed that when they need to talk that they prefer to come to me
than anyone else.
What other insights about communication did you gain
this week? Choose at least two to share with others through your blog and
consider how each might inform your professional work and personal life.
One thing that I learned this week is that I feel
more comfortable communicating in groups whe they are made of my family and
friends regardless of the size. I am not nervous when speaking to family members
or people that are introduced by them. I have also learned that I am a good
listener regardless if it is with my family, my co-worker or strangers; I just
like listening to others. I feel that learning these things about myself will
give me a better understanding of where I need to improve on my communication
skills. I learned that I need to work on my communication skills at work. I need to work on my speaking skills so that I
will be able to speak to any size group and be comfortable doing it.
Chenieka, It seems like we had similar experiences with this assignment. I wonder if it is because we chose both a family member and a coworker or if the results would have been different if we chose others. What do you think? Would we have different results say if we asked 2 coworkers to evaluate our communication?
ReplyDeleteChenieka,
ReplyDeleteMy assessments matched that of my 19 year-old son, and longtime friend. I do have to tell you that your public speaking will improve if you practice. I took an oral communication class years back, and found that practicing and videotaping my speeches helped me to get used to the process. It does get easier!
Marie
Chenieka,
ReplyDeletePublic speaking is so scary. It seems to get a little easier the more you do it. However, I find that when I have to speak in public, no matter how much I practice and even if I have notes in front of me I still freeze up and get very intimidated, therefore I forget what I really need to say. Then after the fact, in a smaller group or one on one I seem to communicate at my best.
Speaking with familiar people is always a little more easier than with people you do not know. I think that other give you the invitation to be a successful communicator.
Thanks for sharing.
Chenieka,
ReplyDeleteI encourage you to gradually to increase your group size when speaking infront of those who you are not familar with. I just recently took another communication class and learned a great technique when speaking in front of large or unfamiliar groups. The class taught for that speakers need to understand that they have been selescted or chosen to speak on the chosen topic, therefore, you are the subject matter expert. When communicating the topic or subject matter remeber they will never know if you mess up, or forget to say something that you planned.
Hi Chenieka - I am more comfortable speaking when I am familiar with the audience members. I do not have to know the people very well, but as long as they are not complete strangers to me, I am comfortable speaking in front of them. However, it also depends on the topic. If it is a topic that I am very familiar with, I am more comfortable with public speaking. If it is a topic that I am not as knowledgeable about, than my comfort level lessens. Thank you for your post.
ReplyDeleteChenieka,
ReplyDeleteI was surprised as well with how my friend of 25years scored me 10 points different than my co-worker in the area of verbal aggressivness. My friend felt as though I was slightly above attacking a person verbally, while my co-worker felt I was way beyond that action. I think my friend has seen me in more diverse situations, while my co-worker has only seen me in one context. This information was very helpful.