Poor or
lack of communication can be a detrimental factor to any working relationship. “The
value of communication is based on relevant and timely information, without such;
there can be no effective communication” (Mader, 2009). Essentially, we all want to become better
communicators. Whether we need to improve our listening skills,
speak clearly or express ourselves through writing, there is always room
for improvement when relating to one another. What entails essential principles
of communication? One must be able to give and receive constructive feedback,
connect with an intended audience, be a good listener, a great interpreter, and
respect others (Townsend Hall, 2010).
Because
relationships are built through communication, some of the benefits of being a great
communicator can allow a person to have a more intimate, balanced or
better connected relationship with others.
A form called interpersonal communication in which skills relate to a person’s
abilities to interact with others, by either verbal or nonverbal methods (Trenholm,
2009). The purpose of being able to communicate effectively should be
to solve problems. One's goal is not to get one's point across or win
an argument but compromise and find understanding.
When I communicate
with others, whether at work or at home, I try to listen to what the other
person is saying instead of preparing my thoughts mentally for my rebuttal. I
am also much more open to constructive criticism, and I am willing to respect
what others are stating even if we do not agree. One of my favorite sayings
is “we can agree to disagree.” Knowing my
audience helps me to be more effective in my message, and I no longer box everyone
in a certain category. For example, I do not speak to my clients in the
same way I may speak to a close friend or family member. In work, when writing an
article or interviewing a subject, I try to learn as much as possible about the
person or subject for a more genuine interaction. The classes that
I have taken thus far have helped me tremendously in how I communicate now compared
to in the past, and I look forward to new teachings every course.
