Someone who demonstrates competent communication……….
I really wanted to choose a family member, but when
my family is together, everyone talks at the same time, everyone interrupts one
another, and as much as I love my mother, she is trying to listen to multiple
conversations at one time. You get the feeling that you might have been heard,
but did anyone really listen? So, I had to look beyond my family to find a
person who demonstrates competent communication. Just wondering, are all
families like that or just mine? J
When I think of someone who really demonstrates
competent communication the first person who came to my mind was the chair of
the department that I teach in. This individual exemplifies what it means to
communicate effectively. Every time I have a meeting with her she is always
welcoming and greets me with a smile. She never gives me the impression that I
am bothering her or that she is too busy to talk. When I am in her office, her attention
and focus is all mine as she does not share herself with her phone or other
distractions that may come her way. Her eye contact is always on me showing me
that she is listening. The way she communicates makes me feel empowered as she
values the things I say or share. She pauses before she comments back and then she
smiles and says, “I hear what you are saying.” Her office is quite large and
can be intimidating, like a principal’s office, but you never get that feeling
when you come in talk to her. Although she is the chair of the department, when
she communicates, she never talks down to you or misuses her power when she
communicates. When you leave her office, she acknowledges the time that you
spent with her and reminds you that you are welcome at any time.
I would definitely model some of my own
communication behaviors after this person as she demonstrates the qualities
that make an effective communicator. She modeled that everyone should be valued
and listened to. This person demonstrated that there are many components to
being an effective communicator and that even the little pieces such as a smile
or head nod are just as important as eye contact and listening. I meet with my
students on a daily basis, sometimes after class or at times I meet them in my
office and modeling after this person would ensure that I am being an effective
communicator where students feel comfortable coming to talk to me. I have a
great relationship with my students, but taking a deeper look at how this
person makes me feel valued, empowered, and important reinforces within me to
think about all the different components even the little things
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving a great example of a good communicator. We all deserve to feel respected and valued in the interactions that we have with others. When this is demonstrated in our work with young children and families, it helps to give them a sense of belonging. When I think of the people who I have encountered in my personal and professional life, they are the ones that have made me feel as though I am the only person in the world and devote their attention and "presence" to my time with them. I know that one thing that I try to do is devote my attentions to one person at a time, so the communication is effective, appropriate and productive.
It is amazing that you have such a wonderful person that is the chair of the department. So many times, people in these positions forget about how they were once walking in our shoes. I have a principal who is fairly new to being an administrator, so she can still relate to being a teacher. Based on your post, it seems as if the head of your department is not just a good communicator, but overall, a good human-being.
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