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Saturday, September 6, 2014

A GOOD COMMUNICATOR

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 I think of good communication skills I instantly think about my best friend from college.  We can talk every day and still talk for hours.  She is one of the first people I call if I'm excited, sad, mad, frustrated, worried, stressed, or have a dilemma.  We can have very calm and civil discussions about politics even though I am far far left and vote democrat and she votes republican.  We often have different styles of parenting, but still ask each other for advice.  Here are a few of the characteristics that make her a competent and enjoyable communicator:

  • Trustworthy - I know what I say will not go beyond her.
  • Non-Judgmental - I can tell her personal feelings or reactions to things and she does not think less of me as a person
  • Respectful 
  • Does not Interrupt
  • Listens
  • She reads situational contexts really well.  This means that when I call she is able to read the situation and can tell if I need a cheerleader, a listener, a sympathizer, an adviser, a counselor, an advocate, or someone to empathize or commiserate with.  
  • She values my thoughts and opinions
  • She is not only interested in my life, but invested in it as well.  For example, she remembers when I have an important appointment and she calls to ask me how it went.
  • She asks follow-up questions

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