Good Communicator?

As a communicator I always assume that I am a good one.  After speaking to some of my colleagues and my staff, they agree, but also added that I am a person that is very direct and at times can be in need of some sugar coating.  Sugar coating???  That is really hard for me for the simple fact as a child it was imperative for me to be honest and that the “fluff” is not really necessary.  I have taken a few personality classes through my organization and each time I come out as a “green” or “dominant” person.  Meaning that I am a person that takes charge and is very direct.  But that does not mean that I do not know how to go into a meeting or a discussion without reading everyone’s body language to see how I need to go in with my directness or do I need to be a little softer with my approach.

Being an active listener is a listening process that has been a part of my success with my team and my patrons.  I also am an action-oriented listener as I have found out about myself this week.  I know it is important to communicate with others and with that in mind it is also important to listen to what is being said.  How it is being communicated is just as important.  The emotion that is involved could determine how the interaction ends.

Strategies for communicating

I communicate daily with a variety of people.  Working among the community I work with my colleagues, customers, internal customers and of course the children.  I communicate with each group differently because I need different things from each group.  Considering that each person that I communicate with have all the aspects that make up culture, including race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, varying abilities and so on.  I have three strategies that I use personally and/or are going to try when communicating with each group.  Here they are as follows:

·         First impressions are everything so with that in saying I try to hold off on judgment and wait it out to see how the conversation is going to go.

·         Working among a younger generation, texting is so popular with the way they communicate for.  I have found myself more involved with my staff because of the texting.  A healthy relationship is present because of the high tech communication.

·         When communicating with parents, do not get to personal with them.  Keep the conversation on track and speak about facts not assumptions.

Communicating with Colleagues

My life is surrounded by children from the time I wake up to the time I lay my head down on the pillow.  Between Disney and NICK, the television is always blaring.  I would be lying to you right now if I told you that I monitor what they watch on the two channels.  So this assignment was pretty easy.  I watch the shows but really do not pay attention to what is being said.  I chose to watch Jessie from the Disney channel.  I was amazed with the amount of talking that went on between the children and the nanny without yelling or screaming.  Everyone had their own opinion of whatever situation was going on but they all were brought back together by Jessie with the communication she used by relating to them with experiences she has had growing up.  Along with the light hearted laughter that goes on between them all their is respect and love among the all.

Working among some of the most talented educators sometimes communicating with them can be challenging.  Everyone wanting the absolute best for the education program we work for but are so passionate at times words are exchanged that can put others in a bad mood.  As Jessie did in the television show, using past experiences assist with my communication with my colleagues.  I believe that every experience in life is a lesson learned and I love sharing those with others so that they do not make the same mistakes that I made.  Communication is that hardest act that most of us have difficulty with but it really should be the easiest task in hand. 

Communication Admirer

 

I work with a person that is able to pull a stressful conversation into a positive problem solving meeting.  My administrator, Haley is an outstanding speaker.  She holds a particular tone that makes you look at her while speaking that holds your attention.  Haley makes side bar, appropriate jokes that ease the sting of certain challenging behavior that their child is exhibiting that for anyone else that would be sharing would probably get a negative response from the parents.  I have found myself picking up her speaking habits that have worked to my advantage.  Being an effective communicator is just as important as being an expert in the field you work in.  I will continue to take notice to Haley and how she communicates with everyone around her.  I am a good communicator in my field, but being a GREAT communicator is where I want to be at very soon.  I am thankful to have one of the best communicators working side by side with me daily.