Benefits of Communication

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.