Blog Week
4
ED 6165
This
week we took three surveys on communication anxiety, listening styles and
verbal aggressiveness. I have my oldest
daughter and my girlfriend evaluate me and I also took the survey. Evidently they know me as well as I know myself. There were not any discrepancies in their evaluations
and mine.
In
the area of communication anxiety I scored as not very anxious when I am speaking
before a group of people. I did note
that there are some situations where I feel anxious in communication in some
contexts. I do feel more confident in
communicating when I can prepare and think and process what has been said to
me. Interpersonal communication is
stressful if I have to address an issue that makes me uncomfortable to begin
with. Especially with my family
members. Being able to ask for what I
need from others is hard for me. I do
better when I can write out what I want to say and evaluate it for clarity,
understanding
the context it is stated in. Not being
drawn into verbal power struggles is key when working with children. That is something I have had a challenge with
in the past so I am learning to and effectiveness.
In
the area of verbal aggressiveness I was again evenly evaluated the same by myself
and my daughter and girlfriend. I am not
very verbally aggressive. I am learning
to stand up for myself verbally while not being aggressive. Arguing a competent point rather than taking umbrage
with what has been said to me. And control myself and not react to what is
being said or done. I use several things
for this breathing and the art of being present and really looking at what is
going on or listening to what is being said before I respond. This is a skill that I am developing and will
continue to develop though out my life.
In
the area of listening styles it was pointed out I am a people person, empathetic
and but am also business like as I tend to pack my schedule. Also something I am leaning not to do. Keeping busy is one thing but being
meaningfully busy is quite another.
In
my application I was asked to create three goals for myself in the area of communication. I forgot to include them so I am doing that
here.
1) Slow
down. Work on being present and not rush through my
though process.
2) Take my
time in responding and gather my thoughts and curtain an action that may
have derailed the communication process with the one I am talking to.
3) Practice
listening. Active listening so that I can have a better understanding
of what is truly being said.
In
my view communication is a two way street.
We listen in such a way so that others will speak their minds and
hearts. They will feel safe to let us know what they really want. This is a good skill to have when working
with children but especially teenagers. We need to speak in such a way that others
will listen to our thoughts and hearts. So that they will be open to hearing
what we have to say. If we as early
childhood educators develop these skills we can have more peaceful classrooms
and lives.
Peace
and all good
Thanks
for dropping by
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI chose a friend and a colleague to perform my assessments. Surprisingly, I thought their evaluations of me would be similar to mine, but they weren't...not in a bad way. They perceived me as being more confident in public speaking than I did myself. It's interesting that both your daughter and friend have the perception of you as yourself. I agree that having time to prepare prior to communicating in front of an audience usually relieves some of the anxieties.
It appears that we are learning some of the same lessons. I, too, am learning more competent communication and listening skills to become more effective. My struggles is with non-verbal communication. I must learn to control these unintentional impulses which show much more than what my words reveal. Our text pointed this fact out...our nonverbal cues speaks louder than our words.
You have set 3 very good goals to help you achieve more effective communication skills. Slow down, take time to speak and completely listen are the first steps to avoid misunderstandings. Good luck for future success in communicating.
Tabitha Abney
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI, like you, am not verbally aggressive and am learning to stand up for myself without being aggressive. Ia free that communication is a two way street. Your goals that you have set are great, I am sure they will help you achieve more effective communication skills.
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed reading your post. I agree as well the more prepared you when communicating in front of an audience the less stress and anxieties you feel. Also, one of the goals that I need to set for myself is to learn how to be more aggressive when it comes to speaking to others who point of view are different without giving in just for the sake of not having a confrontation.