This week, we have been discussing how culture influences our communication style and our views about how other individuals communicate. I will readily admit that I am generally a shy person, no matter who I am around. I view myself as a strong listener, speaking up only when I am truly passionate about something. However, my role as an education coordinator does not allow me to take the back seat in communication scenarios, so I have to be willing to step out of my comfort zone in order to address people in many different circumstances.
I do tend to communicate differently when I am around people who have a different cultural background than myself. For instance, if I notice that a person may not be a member of my community, I tend to weigh more heavily on my role as a listener than as a verbal communicator. I also tend to avoid eye contact during conversations with these people because I fear that I am being judged and may possibly offend them if I make eye contact and they are uncomfortable with it.
In order to communicate more effectively with people from all cultural backgrounds, I first need to stop judging and trying to decide whether or not a person comes from a particular background or not. It should not matter what that person's background is. If they are willing to have a conversation with me, then I should be willing to respect them. Another step that I can take to effectively communicate is to find something in common with the other participant. Common interests or communication styles enable all participants to be able to offer understanding to one another. I can also try to put myself in the other person's place and view things from their perspective. By viewing the conversation from their point of view, I show that I am willing to fully participate in the conversation and honor their opinion, even if I may not fully agree with it.
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteI have always been identified as one who is very outgoing, but I find that when speaking in situations that involves a room full of adults, I am a lot less vocal. I can sit and talk one on one with adults and can communicate with any child, but as a teacher have also had to step out of my comfort zone in order to deal with situations as well. I hate conflict, so I look for solutions and ways that I can keep peace with others. I look for positives in any situation and I think that this helps me when I am working with any group. I like what you said about putting yourself in the other person's place and viewing things from their perspective. I think that this is very important and a strategy that could prove to be a good one in any situation. Thanks for sharing! Great post!
Amy McCoig
Hello Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteI consider myself to be an outspoken person. I agree with you that you can find something in common with the other participant. My listening skills need some improving because I am easily to get bored if the speaker is not talking about what I want to hear. It can hurt me because I can be missing some important information which can help me. It is true that sometimes we do need to put ourselves in the other person's place and view things from their perspective. Thanks for sharing.
LaCasa Mosby
I too am a shy person. I do not like to be put in a situation where I have to talk to people I do not know. My director signed us up to give a presentation this weekend in front of a class of about 70!!! I wanted to climb right out of my skin. But, I made it through the presentation with only a couple moments where I was at a loss for words. It is all just a blur to me, but we received great reviews.
ReplyDeleteI think listening is a huge part of communicating and it is an area I am personally working on myself. I want to become a better active listener.