Friday, November 13, 2015


Competent communication is effective and appropriate for a given situation in which I, as a communicator will evaluate and reassess my own communication process and adjust my behavior to suit individuals and situations. I feel if I am to be a competent communicator, I must be able to do so with people from different groups and cultures. Some of the strategies I could use to help me communicate more effectively include the following:
·       Try to look at things from others eyes
·       Withhold judgment in order to gain a deeper understanding
·       Accept/embraces differences
·       Don’t assume that helping children will cripple their independence
·       Become consciously aware of nonverbal behaviors
·       Recognize your own patterns of nonverbal behaviors
·       Be sensitive
·       Don’t think that because you know a person’s culture you can predict their behavior
References
Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2010). 50 strategies for communicating and working with diverse families. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc."Understanding and Appreciating Cultural Differences" (pp. 36–38)"Looking at Nonverbal Communication Across Cultures" (pp. 80–81)

O'Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J.  (2015). Real communication (3rd. ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.
Chapter 1, Communication: Essential Human Behavior

4 comments:

  1. Hi Dianna,
    Thanks for your blog.I agree with you that effective communication is necessary for interacting with diverse groups.These startegies will definitely foster healthy communication.

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  2. Hi Dianna,
    I am learning how important it is to be able to communicate in a honest and respectable matter without being judge mental. An effective communicator has to have the ability to listen, being sensitive and supportive when communicating with neighbors, co workers, and family members other from cultures.

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  3. Hi Dianna - great post and some great strategies. I especially liked your last one that states just because you know a person's culture you can predict their behavior. It is true, regardless of culture we are all different.

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  4. The strategies in which you have listed that will help others communicate with those of different cultures are very important to remember. It is always important to view situations or topics from the eyes of the other. Different people and cultures will view situations differently. I had a unique opportunity to complete my undergraduate degree at a college where they embraced the differences among the students, especially those of different cultures and backgrounds. Not only was I given the opportunity to learn from the international students about their cultures and languages, I was also able to learn how to begin to communicate effectively with others. I also learned over time that they do not want others to "tone it down" when they are talked to.

    Pamela

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