Communication Styles

When it comes to culture diversity, it is important for us to understand that we all communicate differently.  And because communication is an essential human behavior by which we exchange information, it is important that each of us learn how to communicate effectively (O’Hair & Weimann, 2012).  

For many of us, we have mastered the art of “code switching”, which is when communicators change their regular style of language and slang to fit into a particular group (O’Hair & Weimann, 2012). 

 For me, I tend to speak differently depending on my audience.  When communicating with my family, I use a very different style of speaking than with my coworkers.  My family has a unique way of communicating.  We pronounce certain words a certain way only when we are together. It is a language that only we understand.  When I address my colleagues at work or anyone professionally, I immediately switch over to a more formal way of speaking.   I also communicate differently with children than with adults. With children I tend to speak with a higher more cheerful pitch or tone and when I speak to adults I tend to speak in a more serious tone.  

Although I do tend to change the style in which I talk to different people, I have always tried to respect whomever I am communicating with.  I try very hard to think before I speak.  And strive to lift people up not tear down.

Strategies that I can use to help me communicate more effectively with the people that I have identied above is to develop more knowledge of the audience in which I communicate; learn to listen more effectively; be mindful of others and watch my verbal and nonverbal comments and actions to ensure that I do not offend in any way.

Reference

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York:

        Bedford/St. Martin's.

Nonverbal Communication in Action

Nonverbal Communication in Action

It is stated that nonverbal communications is more believable than verbal communications (O’Hair et. al, 2012). As I began to read the assignments for this week, I became more familiar with what nonverbal communications really means.  This week I chose to watch the show “The Nanny” it is a show that I never really cared to watch a few years back.  I watched the show without sound, concentrating on their nonverbal communications.  It was a very interesting experiment. The Kinesics, which is the aspects of gestures and body movements that send nonverbal messages, was observed (O’Hair et. al, 2012).  While watching the clip, it appeared that there was a disagreement of some sort, and at one time there was a heavy discussion going on between the nanny and Mr. Seinfield.  The nanny used many nonverbal cues such as hand gestures and facial expressions as if she was trying to prove a point or even was pleading for something and Mr. Seinfield was repeatedly denying her request by repeatedly shaking his head as to say no.

Watching the show without knowledge of who the characters were would give the assumptions that the nanny and Mr. Seinfield were husband and wife at that time.  Their behavior towards each other appeared as such. Based on their nonverbal behavior, it was a very heated discussion that appeared very emotional and Mr. Seinfield seemed upset.

Once I began to watch the movie with the sound on, I found that my assumptions were somewhat correct.  They were in a heated discussion yes; however Mr. Seinfield was not upset but worried about his daughter. 

I’m not sure that my assumptions would have been anymore correct than this show had I been watching a show that I am much more familiar with.

Reference                                                                                                                                            

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York:

        Bedford/St. Martin's.

Communication Skills in Action

     As I began to think about someone in my life that exibits effective communication skills, one spcial person comes to mind.  It is actually my current supervisor.  When I started working with Angie, I noticed right away that she was different from any other person that I have worked under.  At first, I thought that maybe she was putting on a front and would change as time went on, but 8 years later, she is still the same. I have never seen a person that could tell someone off in such a polite way that the person never even realized it.  I have watched her at meetings and I have observed how she would word her emails.  During meetings, she was a listener.  She was very careful to listen to all of the facts before giving an opinion or idea.  She was very respectful even during heated meetings, valuing each persons inpute.  And if someone sent an angry email to her, she would standing her ground but her response would be so well written that the people would often apoligize for their angry actions. 
     I have watched Angie do this so often that I began to follow in her footsteps. One day I decided to ask her about it. That's when she told me that she had a mentor that she admired that did taught her those important lessons and she basically patterned herself after her mentor.  That's when she quoted this old saying, "It is not always what you say, it's how you say it" then she said and "I really believe that".  For me, I also believe that saying and another one that my grandmother used to say, "You can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar."