Thanks for reading my first post for this module! =]
Before we can begin to learn how to communicate better, we need to first understand why communication is important in our lives. To me, communication is TO UNDERSTAND and TO BE UNDERSTOOD. This may sound common sense to most of us but little do we know of the actions/behaviours we actually have while communicating. (CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW!)
People engage in communication for a variety of reasons that is to learn, to relate, to influence and even to help in different contexts. Take me for an example; I will need to relate and influence my colleagues at work in the near future to build good rapport in order to work as a team. It is thus important for professional success and advancement. In addition, communicating with others allow me to learn more about myself. By talking to others, I gain valuable feedbacks on my feelings and thoughts which increase my self-awareness and thus expanding my blind spots as shown in the Johari’s window, which is crucial for development and maintenance of interpersonal relationships.
So while communication is important, it can be improved as well! Yes it is common sense to us but how willing are we to improve on our communications? I remembered asking some of my friends to take this module together. The responses I got were: “Communication has to be learnt from experiences and cannot be learnt through theoretical courses” and “ I can’t talk in front of the class and most of the assessment comes from oral presentation”. So they refuse to take this module. Apparently, I have failed to influence them enough and so I have to sign up for this module. Anyway, I feel that the communication skills such active listening is a skill which I hope I can improve on. Sometimes I find myself not applying active listening to certain situations I should have and as a result causing a strain to my relationship with others. Also, learning how to take note of verbal and non-verbal cues can help improve my communication competence.
In conclusion, effective communication does matter!
Enjoy the video!!
Wow,good video. I also got the same situation as yours. Try to convince some of my friend taking this module together but failed. Some of them do not understand why take a module for communication skills... :( But I believe we could learn a lot of useful things in this module. Work together and have fun. :)
ReplyDeleteHey cool video! I notice I do fidget a bit when I am really nervous without myself noticing it. Body language really matters. Yup I was afraid that this class might be a little too theoretical before class starts. It is really fun and helpful so far! Sure we will have a great time during the sem!
ReplyDeleteyeah! the video really showed the really common things that happens when people do presentations. I think we commit some of these these mistakes subconciously, to hide away our fear of public speaking. "erm..erm..erm." and the little gestures, become really LOUD when they have been constantly repeated throughout the presentation! I used to have teacher who kept say "you get what I mean?" all the time, that instead of listening to what he's saying, my friends and I ended up counting how many times he've said it.
ReplyDeleteHi! Don't worry about taking this class alone cuz I also took this module alone too! I think at the end of it, making new friends in class may be one of the best takeaways so lets look foward to it!
ReplyDeleteJust wondering, did you really mean "expanding your blind spot" or did you mean "reducing" your blind spot as one constantly receives feedback?
As I have seen the Johari Window before so am wondering if you can enlighten me about the "expanding" of blind spot =|
Nonetheless, seeya around in class next week and good video there =)
Good afternoon all!! Thanks for sharing some of your insights!
ReplyDeleteZu Rong.. totally agree!! It's fun to meet new friends along! Glad to know you too! I was actually saying to expand my knowledge about my blind spot.. so you;re right!! IT'S REDUCING the blind spot of me. I hope I have enlightened you on that! Thanks for bringing that up!!
See wan.. I guess your teacher is asking for feedback whether you have already understood him? But when your teacher keeps saying "do you know what I mean", it goes to show that he's also not certain on what he's trying to put across too? Right? So I guess most of us need to apply more often and hopefully we'll speak comfortably. =]
ReplyDeleteSally, I'm sure we'll learn more as a team!! So glad to be part of your team. Cheers to the many more fun to come!! *rubbing hands with glee =]
ReplyDeleteHi Kitty, thanks!! Isn't it sad to hear that!! I guess we're more of the self-improvement individuals.. right?? Always learning and improving our way of communication! WORLD PEACE! =]
ReplyDeleteHi Ting Ting, it was interesting to watch the supporting materials you added to your blog, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI concur with you saying "learning how to take note of verbal and non-verbal cues can help improve my communication competence."
Often, non-verbal cues(body language) says so much more than what is actually being said verbally.
Besides observing one's body language and listening actively, I believe that being sincere would go a long way in effective communication.
I'm sure the other person would be able to feel your genuine sincerity, and it would encourage him/her to relax and open up.
Wouldn't you agree that it would allow everyone to communicate better? :)
Hello tribal leader!
ReplyDeleteI feel that we all have different styles of communication, even if there are proper ways of communicating. Some of us just somehow do it our own way, but it might not be NOT effective either, so I feel you're really alright! On the part on strain of relationship, sometimes the part lacking maybe on the other party, so I hope you don't stress over it! sometimes, people have mental barriers, and they refuse to listen, remember the self-fulfilling prophecy? :)