For your blog this week, think of someone (e.g., family member, celebrity, politician, friend, or professor) who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context. What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not?
When it comes to communication the first person that comes to my mind is my friend Christopher. Christopher was a teacher and holds a degree in English and Journalism. He has an extensive vocabulary and can talk to anyone about any topic. He is well spoken and very intelligent. Some people may find Christopher offensive as he is very honest and blunt about anything (he is autistic as well, thus he has had to learn emotions as he was growing up). However as this is Christopher's greatest attribute, he can be abrasive at times. I personally never get offended, but I have had several co-workers question how I can be friends with him. I am also bluntly honest and appreciate that I have Christopher as a friend. I know that if I need an honest opinion I can ask him.
Christopher is an effective communicator because he can express himself well to everyone. In conversations with Christopher, I know how he feels and what he expects depending on the conversation. I do aspire to have an extended vocabulary like Christopher, and be able to express myself clearly as he does. I often wonder if people do not understand what I am saying because I do express my ideas clearly.
The one behavior that I would not like to have that Christopher does possess is his inability to sense emotion in others when he speaks. Sometimes Christopher is offensive and he does not understand while others get upset. Also, he cannot read emotions of others. Perhaps him not being able is what has made him such an effective communicator.
Hi Natasha,
ReplyDeleteThat is a very interesting observation of you of your friend Christopher. He sounds like a very intelligent person and maybe he just chooses to ignore or does not care if he was hurting others feelings and he jsut want to say what he wants to say. I know a lot of people who will say what is on their mind even if they thought others would not like to hear it. Thank you for sharing. You are very fortunate to have someone like Christopher as a friend. I would like to have that attribute as well.
Maria
Hello...thanks for sharing information about your friend, Christopher. He sounds like the librarian at my school. She is knowledgable about every thing, she's always using higher level thinking vocabulary words, and she will talk you until your ears fall off especially if she is passionate about a particular subject. Thanks for sharing the information about your friend he sounds like a wonderful person!
ReplyDeleteNatasha,
ReplyDeleteI know a whole family full of people like Christopher. I have always wanted to be able to speak my mind and be brutally honest, but I have nevr acquired that talent. I think that I am the complete opposite. I over analyze everything and study my words very carefully to be sure that I am not saying anthing cruel. Most of the time I end up not saying anything at all and just nod politely.