Reference
Bennett,
M. J. (1998). Basic concepts of intercultural communication: Selected
readings. Yarmouth, ME.:
Intercultural Press.Saturday, May 19, 2012
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
For this week’s blog assignment we needed to share at least three
strategies we could each use to help us communicate more effectively with those
we communicate with on a regular basis. Like
most of us, I wear many different hats during the day (i.e. mom, child care
provider, foster mom, friend, area representative for exchange students,
student, etc…). How I effectively
communicate differs from group to group.
Three strategies that I use on a regular basis, however, are: 1. Always show respect for the individual I
am communicating with. Each of us is
unique in our own ways (i.e. culture, family, thoughts, etc…); It is important
to always remember this if I expect others to show me respect. 2. If
we are unsure of how to communicate, ask questions. Most individuals would rather be asked than
have a person guess what they are thinking/feeling, etc…; and 3. Always try not to allow ourselves the easy
assumption of similarity. According to Bennett
(1998), each culture is different in their languages, behavior patterns, as
well as their values. It is important to
remember this because if we attempt to use one’s self as a predictor of shared assumptions
and responses, we will run into a communication problem. This is because each culture embodies a
variety of patterns of perception and behavior, it is important to
embrace/understand the differences as well as the similarities (Bennett, 1998).
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Great Post it seems to me from this weeks readings, discussions, and now blogs the most important action to be taken is to listen. I think your three strategies to help you communicate better will defiantly make you a even more effective communicator!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I will admit that I have a big problem with asking people to clarify what they have said or in asking questions to delve a little deeper. I think that I need to work on being a little bolder in working to communicate more effectively.
ReplyDeleteRobin-
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to see your quote from Bev Boss. I absolutely love her and her philosophy about children. I went to a training she hosted last year and she just makes you want to go play. She has such a zest for life and for children!
Now to the assignment, I also think it is important to ask questions. I would rather someone ask me why I do something than assume the wrong thing. I am a processor of my thoughts. In staff meetings if something is brought up that is new or I wasn’t prepared for I have to process the information internally before I can join a discussion about it. After one of our meetings, my supervisor asked me why I was angry; of course, I was shocked she said that because I was not angry at all. She took my silence and reflecting within to be anger about what she was speaking.
Tammy, Great post. I agree about asking questions instead of assuming something and the actions were totally wrong. I also like to clarify communication through estending questions or repeating what the person said. Thanks for sharing a great post...very creative.
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