Forms of Communication
G. W. Goodrum, Jr.
In the
following paper I will assess my concept of self and my developing
communication skills, strengths and weaknesses, challenges and further
opportunities for growth. This assessment will comprise of my knowledge
and skills of interpersonal, group and organizational communications.
Each form of communication will be
addressed separately in this paper. My
overall skills will be assessed by addressing specific issues involving
interpersonal communications of language, listening and relationships.
Finally my skills will be assessed by specific issues involving group and
organizational communications skills.
At the
onset, I believed that my overall communication skills were above average and
should have been unmatched by many. Over the past 30 years I’ve attended
and participated in numerous training classes and conducted far too many
briefings to high ranking military officials. I was at the top of my game
and believed that the United States Air Force had prepared me to take on the
world of big business. I possessed the great qualities of listening,
showing empathy and sympathy when required, I even mastered the military style
for writing performance appraisals. After 25 years of military service
and communications training, I knew that I would be an excellent personnel
supervisor and manager of resources.
Interpersonal Communication
Upon leaving the military my interpersonal skills were limited to talking to
family, friends and co-workers on a daily basis. The conversations were
normally personal, direct, sometimes spontaneous and most often informal.
With my skills at their peak, I knew how and when to speak both formally and
informally, depending upon who I was talking to and what the subject matter, I
could reach top level management in less than two years.
According to Trenholm (2011), “Language gives us the power to affect and
persuade other”. While in the military I had become a master of
persuasion, a leader among men. I had the responsibility to lead troops
into battle without thinking about themselves or what harm they would face
individually but their desired to fulfill their military duty and protect the
freedoms of our great country. Having belief in the core value of
“Service before self” this motto resonated deep in my ability to speak the
human language heard over and over again. This language or military
jargon has been practiced and rehearsed many times since it was first
learned. Hearing it made you believe it. Listening to the specific
words and relating them to your personal life made communicating with others
easier.
Listening in my view is the most important aspect of communication.
Fischer (1995) suggests that “one possible outcome emerging from a dialectical
processes; processes that are integrative of seemingly opposing experiences.
According to Gadacz (2003), “the other part of the solution is to improve our
listening skills and questioning issues that are important”. As a father
and personnel manager, you have to possess the ability to listen
attentively. If your children feel as though you don’t listen to their
needs, they will normally shut down and won’t tell you anything, but become
irritated about everything. Well, employees and co-workers are similar,
if they feel as though you don’t listen, then they won’t trust you with their
problems they may encounter.
So, listening has to be at the forefront of all communications. If
listening were not an integral part of my life, I know there are definite ways
to improve the process of listening. According to Trenholm (2011), there
are five characteristics to listening, (1) attending to our senses, (2)
attaching meaning, (3) interpreting the messages, (4) responding to the
messages, and (5) storing messages to be recalled later. Growing up in
household where my father passed away at age 33, my Mom listened to every word,
we spoke. Whether we were happy, sad or angry or we just wanted someone
to talk to; she was always there to listen. Though she would often quote
verses from the Bible, she would always say, God gave us two ears and one
mouth. Learn to listen what God is saying to you. I took her words
literally, and believe that God is always talking to us; we just have to choose
when to listen. Consequently, I began listen to everyone.
Listening
really means building trust in a relationship, whether is with a friend,
co-worker or spouse. I believe that we have to trust one another in order
to build a fluid relationship. As a culture we have placed little
emphasis on listening to one another. Everyone wants to be heard, but on
one truly listens. According to Trenholm (2011), “Our constructions
of reality…often distort our communication…we may accept cultural myths and
stereotypes without thinking”. Understanding the need to
communicate effectively actually means that we must follow cultural
rules. In our professional or personal relationships, there seems
to be fewer benefits for those that do not accept the social norms.
Individuals, such as me don’t believe in the status quo nor do we accept
faddish propaganda in dialectical situations.
Group Communications
In my studies, Trenholm (2011, describes a group as “individuals who, as a
result of interacting with one another over time become interdependent,
developing shared patterns of behavior and a collective identity…Once shared
behavioral standards develop, members experience a sense of identity and
psychological closeness.” Living a military life for over a quarter of a
century, you began to take on the common ideals of what your life will
become. I have often used my military training and overall
communications skills in my home environment. My wife and I were
blessed with six children to rear. Our family lives were regimented close
to our military lifestyle. Awake and dressed at a certain, breakfast by
0600, at the bus stop by 0630, homework started by 1530 hours, dinner at 1800
hours and in bed by 2200 hours. My family took on certain characteristics
of the same military group that my wife and I were associated with. Over
time my family began to develop features similar to interaction,
interdependence, shared behavioral standards and collective identity.
Contrary to the five characteristics that I would use to describe myself;
private, self-accepted, problem-centered, autonomous and realistic.
Growing up in a house filled with women had its ups and downs. Basically,
there was no man to confide in or to teach me how to become a man. The
above stated characteristics are a mere product of my environment. I
learned how to be private in my thoughts and actions. I became
self-accepted of my abilities and limitations. Where my abilities lacked,
I gained self confidence in them to overcome any obstacle placed in my
path. I joined the football team early in life and found out exactly
where I belonged. This group of guys became the brothers that I had
longed for.
Having found my group I needed to know where I stood among its members.
In my efforts to fit into this group, I took on all challengers. I wanted
one of the top three positions, so we played a game of bull in the ring, where
the coach had everyone form a circle around you and see how long you could
defend yourself without being knocked out of the ring. Looking back on it
now, it was like a gang initiation. After proving I could take and give
hard hits, I was chosen to be Defensive Captain. As a defensive unit we
developed a collective identity. According to Trenholm (2011), “When all
these characteristics develop; interaction, interdependence, shared behavioral
standards, and a sense of membership—“group ness” has been achieved.
Without these characteristics, individuals remain separate and isolated”.
We were inseparable, where there was one, there were eleven. Were we
territorial? Yes, we ran in packs as the teachers would call us. No
one dare enter into our portion of the locker room, we were actually bullies in
high school and no one messed with us.
Collectively we were one and this sense of fear and pride lasted until
graduation. According to Spinks (1995), “most individuals belong to
several groups, formal and informal, must not be overlooked. As group
members, they are subject to norms of the group concerning values, attitudes,
performance…members can be expected to exhibit high degrees of cohesiveness to
group expectations and goals, and to be defensive of the group and its other
members. Any attempt to communicate with individuals must also take their
group ties into account”. Again, looking back we were bullies and gang
members, but we just didn’t realize it. We were thought of as “Kings” of
the school, and no one messed with us.
We were constantly in the gym lifting weights or out on the field running
sprints. This unit was in shape and a force to be reckoned with.
For us this was not just an extra-curriculum, but this was to be our way of
life. After joining the Air Force, I sought out the same type of group,
but it was not to be. The military had its own agenda, and it clashed
with what was my norm. The Air Force refocused my attention to electronic
principles and technology. My supervisors opened my mind and eyes to see
a larger picture that included me, but was not all about my ego.
As I assimilated into the military lifestyle and began to raise my family, I knew
I had the right stuff. I believed my behavioral skills and knowledge
enabled me to communicate with anyone, whether one on one or in a group
environment. The Air Force taught me how to mentor young troops and how
to deal with family issues. It all boiled down to communication, being
open and honest, problem solving, and seeking professional assistance when
required.
Organizational Communications
According to Trenholm (2011), “an organization is a system consisting of a
large number of people working together in a structured way to accomplish
multiple goals. Each person plays a different role depending on his or
her position within the organization”. The organization that I am most
proud of is the United States Air Force. The communications flow stemmed
from a hierarchy system consisting of the President of the United States,
through the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Combat Commanders and eventually to the
organization that I was assigned. We would carry out the orders from the
Commander in Chief.
As communications technology advances, so does our self-management
skills. These personal strengths include flexibility, enthusiasm and
persistence. Employees are empowered to be more innovative and creative
in the work environment. Gadacz (2003) stated, “There is little
correlation with age and social class” when addressing innovative ways to
improve poor communications and organizational skills. Employees that are
not receptive to change will find it difficult to work alone or without direct
supervision.
Most employees are under the impression that they suffer under conflicting and
confusing organizational communications. According to de Jager (1994), “The
secret to managing change is to first understand what change is and what it is
not. Change is not a random event. If you think of it that way,
then you will end up managing in that way, with random results. Change
has structure…and should be managed in a structured fashion.” With
technology increasing and emerging on a global scale, as managers we have to
shift their social and economic values to reflect the overall health of the
organization. This is accomplished by improving our organizational
communications skills.
Improving both upward and downward communications will not only make employees
receptive to change, and improve production and morale. As managers
Spinks (1995), stated “organizational communication must not be directed
towards individual…but must be directed towards both formal and informal
groups…striking a balance…is a hallmark of a good organizational leader.”
As a manger and supervisor we have a duty and responsibility to ensure our
employees are the best trained in the most innovative fashions to make our
companies head and shoulders above the rest. Our employees should be
knowledgeable in work-content skills, personal attributes, and advanced
technologies. These skills will ensure the company remains competitive in
our global economy. Going forward employees should possess work-content
skills like counseling, customer service, installation and repair, quality
assurance, filing, editing and MS Office. These attributes allow the
employee to be considered for other positions in the company if vacancies
occur. Next the employee should be technological savvy in ways to cut
cost and avoid fraud, waste and abuse in innovative ways. Using paper
products is one of the most wasteful expenses that companies are dealing with
today, but through innovation and technology, companies are turning to the
cloud concept to store and edit documents. Companies using IM, video
chat, web-based forums are saving thousands of dollars.
In conclusion paper I assessed my concept of self and my developing
communication skills, strengths and weaknesses, challenges and further
opportunities for growth. This assessment comprised of my knowledge and
skills of interpersonal, group and organizational communications. Each
form of communication was addressed separately in this paper. Finally my
skills will be assessed by specific issues involving group and organizational
communications skills.
References
De Jager, P. (1994). Communicating in times of change.
Journal of Systems Management, 45(6),
28. Retrieved
from http://search.proquest.com/docview/199831717?accountid=32521
Fischer, J. L. (1995). Book reviews -- the dark side of
interpersonal communication edited by
William R.
Cupach and Brian H. Spitzberg. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57(1),
252. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/219749733?accountid=32521
Gadacz, T. R.
(2003). A changing culture in interpersonal and communication skills. The
American Surgeon, 69(6), 453-8. Retrieved from
Spinks, N.,
& Wells, B. (1995). Communicating with groups: Prompt, purposeful,
productive
Team meetings. Executive Development, 8(5), 13. Retrieved from
Trenholm, S. (2011) Thinking
through communication: An introduction to the study of
human
communication (6th Ed.). Boston: Pearson
Education.
No comments:
Post a Comment