For me, the person who comes to mind as someone who
demonstrates competent communication is a former supervisor and the specific
context is when we met for supervision meetings. According to O’Hair & Wiemann (2012), competent
communication “ is more concerned with process, which measures the success of
communication by considering the methods by which an outcome is accomplished”
(p. 14). My former supervisor exemplified that ability to focus on the
process. One of the most effective
behaviors that this person exhibited during these meetings was the ability to
really listen to what I said. She was
truly present and it was obvious that I had her full attention. Her body language, reflective questions and
thoughtful answers all created an environment that made me feel safe, valued
and heard. As O’Hair & Wiemann (2012) point out, “From the process
perspective, it is better to optimize outcomes for both partners than to
fulfill the specific goals of either one:
mutual satisfaction is used as the gauge of success” (p. 16). My
former supervisor was careful about the pacing of the conversation. She was able to sense when to move on to
another topic. She was gifted at asking questions and was careful about how and
when she offered information or opinions.
She also did a good job of following the National Communication
Association Credo for Ethical Communication principle that states “we strive to
understand and respect other communicators before evaluating and responding to
their messages” (p. 15). This principle is closely related to the
statement made by O’Hair & Wiemann
(2012) “Successful communicators usually have a high degree of
cognitive complexity. This refers to the ability to consider
multiple scenarios, formulate multiple theories, and make multiple
interpretations when encoding and decoding messages” (p. 24). This person could easily be considered a
successful communicator using the information from O’Hair & Wiemann and the
principles outlined in the National Communication Association Credo for Ethical
Communication.
The behavior that I would most like to emulate is her
ability to truly listen. This ability
has many positive outcomes. This ability
to truly listening builds trust by conveying the message that what is being
said is valued and understood. It also
offers the chance to show respect for the speaker and the opportunity to
develop the high degree of cognitive complexity both of which are traits of an
effective communicator. So often, I find
that I am thinking about what I am going to say rather than being truly present
in the moment and really listening to the other person.
Reference:
O'Hair, D.,
& Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York
New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s
Hi Geralyn,
ReplyDeleteWhen someone is a good listener, I agree it is someone who is being respectful also, when it comes to communicating in the book of (O’Hair & Wiemann 2012), it explains that competent communication is about the process that determines the success of communication by considering the methods of how an outcome is accomplished.Thinking about what you are going to say and being able to really listen to someone else, I find is a true sign of becoming a competent communicator. Keep up the good work.
Kathleen.
Hello my fellow American, we as professionals need to follow your friend foot steps. We need to know how to use the correct body language and be a motivator for the young children and to their families. continue to keep up the good work. We should also be good listeners and know how to take the heat when under pressure.
ReplyDeleteGood job! Ms. C.
Geralyn,
ReplyDeleteI also find myself thinking about what I am going to say next without always listening. Especially when it is something I am excited or passionate about.
Also, It is great to have a supervisor that is such a great communicator. I have a worked with supervisors who are great communicators and others who are not. It is difficult when working with a supervisor who is not.
Geralyn, your former supervisor possessed great skill of communication, especially knowing when and how to transition for one subject to the next and her sensitivity of knowing when and how to ask questions and offer opinions during those conversations. I also liked what you said about having the ability to truly listen to what is being said. So often we can get caught up in the story without truly listening to what is being said. This to is an attribute that I continue to work on because it is so important when communication with one another.
ReplyDelete