We all want to think that we are effective communicators, but I don’t think we can really tell if we communicate effectively until we have the opportunity to test our skills as well as having others evaluate our skills. Well, this week I got this opportunity! It was very interesting to see the differences and similarities between how I evaluated myself and the way by husband and colleague/friend evaluated me. I participated in three different tests; Communication Anxiety Inventory, Verbal Aggressiveness Scale, and Listening Styles Profile. And the results.......
When I compared our results of the Communication Anxiety Inventory it was very interesting to see that we all scored within one to two marks of one another. My score was a 31, my husband gave me a 33 and my colleague/friend gave me a 30. I am extremely comfortable public speaking and the two people who evaluated me know this. I teach with one person who sees my comfort in the classroom and my husband knows my passion for teaching. I have been teaching in a college setting for almost 10 years now and I love getting in front of the classroom. It is where I am very comfortable. Now if I would have rated myself 15 years ago, my results would not have been so high. I have had to work hard to get where I am, where I can say that I truly enjoy public speaking. I have a son with a learning disability and I attend many meetings where I have to speak up and advocate for son and not let myself get intimidated by the people in the meeting.
The Verbal Aggressiveness Scale test was a
different story. There were strong similarities between how I rated myself and
my colleague/friend. We both had a rating of 62 which was moderate. As a teacher
of adults I have to very respectful of the viewpoints of others and make
everyone feel that what they have contributed in class is valid and important. My
husband rated me a little higher at 68.....I am not being defensive, but we
have been together for 22 years and married 14 years out of those 22 years….so
that is probably why he scored me a bit higher!
The Listening Styles Profile test brought forth
similar results once again. Based on the test all three us of had the same
results which put me in level 1. Both of these individuals who evaluated me
know that I am extremely empathetic and very concerned with the emotions of
others.
What I found interesting about this process was
the length of time it took us to complete the questions. It took me a lot
longer as I was very reflective and I wanted to answer the questions honestly
and not what I thought was the “best” answer. It did not take my husband or
colleague/friend long to complete as they answered the questions with how they saw
me. Having a better understanding of how I evaluated myself as well as two
other people, gave me an idea of how I could communicate more effectively as
well as how I show effective communication. I guess I need to be nicer to my
husband!!!! J
References
Rubin, R. B., Palmgreen, P.,
& Sypher, H. E. (Eds.) (2009). Communication research measures: A
sourcebook. New York: Routledge.
Copyright 2009 Taylor &
Francis Group LLC Books. Used with permission from Routledge via the Copyright
Clearance Center.
Rubin, R. B., Rubin, A.
M., Graham, E. E., Perse, E. M., & Seibold, D. R. (Eds.) (2009). Communication
research measures II: A sourcebook. New York: Routledge.
Hi Stephanie
ReplyDeleteI want first to start off saying I love your pictures. You found great pictures that go with the topics we are learning about this week. I know in time I will be a better public speaker. It seems natural to you but like you said it did not happen overnight. The two people you picked know you in different ways, and they were able to evaluate you similar to what you picked. That is great that you can advocate for your son many times teachers like to use jargon that the average person does not understand. I agree with you it took me a little longer to answer the questions. I wanted to give an answer that was suited for me.
Great post as always
LaNea
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your analysis of these communication scales. It is interesting that you pointed out that if you would have taken these surveys 15 years ago, your answers may have been different. This is a great example to those people who feel not as self confident about their public speaking skills.
I have had a similar experience. I began facilitating workshops in my community for early childhood and school age providers about four years ago and my answers about speaking in groups would have been different even in that short period of time. It is a matter of gaining experience. With positive and successful experiences, self-confidence grows along with positive self-esteem.
I also gave these surveys to my husband to do and at first I was worried. Sometimes someone who knows you the best REALLY knows you best and can be brutally honest. For me, however, my husband's evaluation of my communication skills turned out to be consistent (for the most part) than my own.
Interesting post Stephanie!! I agree that experience is the best teacher when it comes to us displaying what we think of as being effective communication. A lot of times, we say things to others without intending to insult and or hurt their feelings. I think the best way to avoid making statements that will insult and or hurt the feeling of others is to think before speaking. One has to consider the feelings and backgrounds of others before speaking on the stereotypes that may have been assumed of others. Thanks for sharing!!
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