Reflection: Interpersonal Communications Skills

Reflections are a powerful tool to improve communication. Reflecting on this weeks studies of self-assessments on communication skills. I was surprised to discover that my views of myself was similar to the two other people that evaluated me but with small discrepancies. In each of the assessment tools I scored myself a bit higher than my evaluators. Evidently, they must see me almost as I visualize myself.

After tallying up the scores, I think the assessment tools were fairly accurate in defining my communication skills. The best part was confirming that I was people-orientated which I know without a doubt I am. My husband calls me a "social butterfly". I have to talk to everyone. If you look my way I will have to say something, even if it is just "hi".

It fine it ironic that I can talk to people one-on-one but speaking to a crowd I become is stressful anxious. The Communication Anxiety Inventory assessment confirmed that I had some situational anxiety when speaking to crowds.

I am planning on taking note of my assessment results and concentrating on improving my active listening skills. I feel that improving active listening skills will benefit me both personally and professionally.

Listening is an active and basic process that involves not only taking the content of the person speaking by looking at their body language and listening to their words, but also being perceptive. Good listening skills are shown by attending behaviour that is practiced by establishing eye contact, maintain a relaxed posture and sending appropriate messages through gestures.

Paraphrasing is an important part of listening because it exposes and clarifies any mixed or double messages.

Clarifying goes beyond paraphrasing with an intention of bringing vague material into sharper focus. Perception checking is an effective part of ensuring accuracy of a communication because it is a method of giving and receiving feedback (UKEssays, 2018).

I found a great communication checklist that will help we practice effective communication skills and that I would like to share.

1. Before I communicate, I think about what the person needs to know, and how best to convey it.

2. Before I send a message, I think about the best way to communicate it (in person, over the phone, in a newsletter, via memo and so on).

3. I always tailor my message to suit the person I am talking to.

4. I am confident when I talk to people and I speak clearly without mumbling.

5. I am making eye contact with people when I am talking to them.

7. I am paying attention and try to read the other person’s body language as I listen to them speak.

8. I am listening to what other people have to say without interrupting.

9. I am being authentic, compassionate and have empathy for the person speaking.

(Communication Skills: Self-Reflection,

10. I am reflecting on how I use my communication skills to connect with others.

(ncsl, n.d.)

References

Communication Skills: Self-Reflection. (n.d.).https://www.ncsl.org/Portals/1/Documents/relacs/Communication_Skills%20self-reflection_handout.pdf

UKEssays. (November 2018). Critical reflection of communication personal development essay. https://www.ukessays.com/essays/personal-development/critical-reflection-of-communication-personal-development-essay.php?vref=1