Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Communication With Others

1. Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?

I do find myself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures in an effort not to offend others because I don't want to push my view points on others. I also communicate differently with others based on my relationship with that person, depending on if it is a family member, co-worker or family that I am serving.

2. If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?

I am very friendly with everyone that I communicate with but my comfort level is better with my family than with the families that I serve. It is easier to talk with my family members because I can let my guard down but this is not the case with my co-workers or the families that I serve. I have a role to play in each of these areas and it is my responsibility to make sure that I do not slack in any of these areas. I like to present myself as approachable and helpful to my co-workers and the families I serve but I dont want to come across as being offensive or make anyone feel uncomfortable based on their race. I find myself avoiding subjects such as religion and child-rearing in an effort not to start a debate or step on the beliefs of others.

3. Based on what you have learned this week, share at least 3 strategies you could use to help you communicate more effectively with the people or groups you have identified.
  • Eliminate all biases about the subject or the culture that you are communicating with to help you communicate more effectively.
  • Being willing and open to accept the opinions of others even if it comes in the form of criticism
  • Ask questions and continue to seek answers for topics that you have limited experience in dealing with because it can help in your development of effective communication.

4 comments:

  1. Tashunda,

    I agree with you that we do change our style of communication depending on who we talk with. I feel similar as you do. I feel very comfortable talking with my family and am very open. I let my guard down and will show some weakness. On the other hand, since I have a supervisory job, I have to be more aware of what I say and how I say it. It is easy to offend a coworker but hard to gain their trust. Yet, without them, my job would not be possible. Therefore, I speak with coworkers in a different manner than with families and friends.

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  2. Tashundra,

    I can communicate well with everybody. It all depends on how that individual will respond back to you. I can get along well with you as long as you don't get all rough and out of the way with me. Dealing with a family member is different from a co-worker. A family member, you can just speak out the way you want to, but a co-worker you will have to think about your job. Great Post!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. Hi Tashunda,
    I also communicate differently depending on who it is. I think the strategies you chose are excellent examples of ways we can improve our communication skills.

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  4. Tashunda
    I like the one you posted about being willing and open to accept the opinions of others. That is something I find hard to do but I know I need to. It is definitely easier said than done. Especially if you want to persuade someone. It is getting better for me though, because I am learning a lot in the Master's program.

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