Who I am as a Communicator

 

 

 

In evaluating the results of the two people who took the test, I found the fact that my former coworker thought that I enjoy public speaking to be the most surprising. Actually, I despise it. I always have. It is something that I want to improve because I know that it is something that I have to do especially in the early childhood field. She has heard me speak in front of small groups several times, and she felt that I've always done well. As a result, she thought that I liked doing it. I learned that I need to improve my listening skills as well. This week's lesson taught me that others do not always see us the way that we see ourselves. We should be mindful of how others view us. I also learned that a person can tell if you're not really being attentive no matter how hard you are trying to act like you are. 

Communication

 

 

 

 

When I think about diversity, I definitely feel that it effects the way that we communicate with others. I know that I find myself communicating differently with people who are not like me. For example, I feel like I have to make sure that I speak correctly when I am around highly educated people. I generally speak correctly anyway, but I find myself making more of a conscious effort to do so when I am around certain individuals. I think  that they will misjudge me if I don't do so. Another example is how I communicate around extremely religious people. I was raised in a religious home, but I do not consider myself to be super religious. I am a Christian, but I have learned to respect people of all faiths, religions, beliefs. etc. However, I find myself trying not to say the wrong thing around people who are very religious. I often feel that those kind of people won't have the desire to be around me if I don't present myself in a certain way that is acceptable to them.

 

 

I am learning that I should be myself. It is always good to be respectful towards others, but I don't have to stop being myself. People should respect us for who we are and not for who they want us to be. I think that I can become a more effective communicator by not being ashamed of who I am. I have to love myself and trust that others will do the same. If not, that is okay. I have to find comfort in myself. As long as I'm being respectful and understanding towards others, I should be okay with that.