Saturday, March 7, 2015

Competent Communication


            I have always appreciated my father’s ability to communicate. For over fifty years, I have observed how he calmly, respectfully and effectively converses with everyone he comes in contact with. In reviewing this week’s required reading, I realized that my father has mastered the “art” of becoming a competent communicator. In any given situation, he is able to evaluate and reassess his own communication process (O’Hair and Wiemann, 2012). I have never witnessed my father using profanity, micro-aggressions or any other negative means to communicate. I believe what he says and how he says it directly relates to his integrity as a man, husband, father, grandfather and friend.  He obviously engages in the process perspective and considers it better to improve outcomes for both partners in communication than to meet the precise goals of either one (O’Hair and Wiemann, 2012). Mutual satisfaction is almost always the outcome. I feel like he helped write the National Communication Association Credo for Ethical Communication and he models all nine of the perspectives. If it sounds like I have my dad on a pedestal… I do, and I am so grateful for the role model he is for me. I would definitely like my own communication behaviors to be more like my fathers. By gaining a deeper understanding of competent communication and practicing it’s perspectives, my work with children and families will surely be enhanced.

4 comments:

  1. Christine,
    I enjoyed reading your post on what kind of man and person your father is. I believe that people are able to “inherit” tools such as how we treat others and communicate. Like you, I also wrote about my father and admire his ease and grace as a public speaker of many kinds. Hopefully, you can show it to him and how proud you are.  As early childhood professionals, I feel, as though we need to possess the principles for ethical communication since no two children and families are alike.

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  2. Christine,
    I enjoyed reading your post about your father. He sounds like an amazing man! What a blessing to have been raised by such a wonderful person, father and role model. I am sure you have already learned many communication skills from your father that you have used throughout your life.

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  3. Christine,
    Your father seems like a really great man. You are very fortunate to have had him model effective communication for you throughout your entire life. I am sure this has made a positive impact on your communication skills as well.

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  4. Hi Christine,

    I think we are two in having our dad on a pedestal... I have also chosen my dad as my model communicator. Like your dad, I have observed that mine also exhibits competent communication skills. I really appreciate the way you described how your father exercise self-control over his own communication process in his interaction with others. I believe that to be in control over one's own communication process is an important metacognitive skills that one should develop in order to stay calm, respectful and non-aggressive when communicating with others. Thanks for sharing. Caroline.

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