The importance of communication cannot be neglected. It has a rather important role to play both in the professional as well as in the organizational field. It is considered essential as it helps in the proper transfer of messages and information to the right people (Jack, 2008). Now, there are several kinds of communication styles that are used by an individual for interacting with family and friends on a daily basis. The different kinds of communication style are submissive, aggressive, manipulative, passive-aggressive and assertive. Each of the communication style has its own advantages and downsides. However, assertive style is considered as the most preferred communication style by the professionals. Self-analysis will therefore help in analyzing the level of assertiveness.
This essay is a self-reflection statement of the communication style with the help of different diagnostic tools. For this essay, tools like Johari Window, SWOT Analysis, Communication Style Questionnaire, Assertive Questionnaire and Big Five Personality Traits have been used so as to comprehend the kind and style of personal communication that is followed by me. All of the tools that have been used to analyze the methods of communication are done so based upon the personal characteristics (Morgan, 2009). Developing good communication skills is important as it is integral to any kind of profession and can create a positive impact. A brief literature review consisting of all the methods has been included so as to have a better understanding.
This course has enabled me to learn and understand several facts related to communications in daily life. Of course I had been communicating all through but, this aspect helped me to have a much better and clearer understanding of the concepts which are concerned to communication (Halpern, 2009). In order to analyze and contemplate on the skills and learning those have been transferred due to this module, we are going to be using several diagnostic tools. Though all of the methodologies seem to be quite different, all of them aim to study and assess the personal characteristics and the impact that they have on our style of communication. It is obviously quite complex to analyze one’s own characteristics and therefore several feedbacks from friends, family and colleagues were taken for a better understanding (McCabe, 2013). I am well aware of some of my characteristics and with the help of all these models; I could assess myself and develop a course of action which could be followed so as to address the areas of improvement. Self-analysis with the help of the models has been done as shown below.
Johari Window: There are four areas in the Johari Window that can be used to assess the characteristics of an i9ndovidual. It has a four grid structured are that has been developed wherein each of the characteristics is plotted for the ease of understanding (South, 2007).
In the Open or the Arena area, the characteristics which are known to self and also to the others are noted down. This area was only filled up by me when I had gathered all the feedbacks. Everyone agreed to the fact that I was courageous, confident, dependable, dignified and bold. This means that most of the aspects of my way of communicating are well versed in a formal verbal communication. I also noted that I am capable of writing as well interacting verbally quite fluently (Verklan, 2007). I have a positive body language that aids in the communication skills and I am also well aware of the various gestures that are to be made while interacting so as to make the communication even better.
In the Hidden areas, the characteristics that are only known by me and not to the others are noted down. I am aware of the fact that as an individual, my style of communication is rather calm, helpful, empathetic as well as intelligent. From my previous experiences, I have noted that I can score well in any kind of presentation as well as in other forms of formal or informal verbal communication such as debates.
In the blind spot region, the characteristics that are not known to me but are known to others are noted down. From the feedback of the others, I became aware of the fact that I do possess some positive qualities but often end up imposing my decisions on others. Others view me as caring but proud too. I have good leadership skills which are demonstrated from the way I interact with others. However, to some of the people this skill appears as rather proud and imposing in nature.
In the Unknown area, thee characteristics that are neither known to me or to the others are noted down. These characteristics include being introvert, self-assertive, responsive, idealistic and much more. None of the people that I spoke to included any of these characteristics of mine for the diagnosis.
So, from this model we get to know that I have a rather assertive style of communication which at times is aggressive in nature. Assertive style of communication is one of the positive qualities in me but the aggressive style is a downside and cannot be accepted as a nice characteristic. Therefore, this style needs to be addressed and turned into a positive nature. An action plan therefore needs to be implemented by which I would be able to turn my style into a positively assertive one which would be liked by everyone.
Communication Style Questionnaire: The communication style questionnaire was developed by me after going through a lot of concepts and literatures (Weiss, 2007). The questionnaire was designed based upon the materials that had been adopted from the internet and then complied together in such a way that all of the areas pertaining to the style of the communication could be understood and answered easily. After analyzing the questionnaire, the following has been found.
Aggressive:
Passive
Passive Aggressive
Assertive
The result of this assessment shows that I am a rather assertive communicator with a passive aggressive style (Snavely, 2008).
|
Strengths Ø Assertive Communicator Ø Can express ideas easily Ø Have good grammatical and language skills |
Weaknesses Ø Incapable of extraversion Ø Lack experience Ø Have pertinent weakness in convincing |
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Opportunity Ø Develop good communication skills through training Ø Gain practical experience and training Ø Learn good skills and concepts through self-analysis |
Threats Ø Inability to understand and accumulate newer concepts Ø Not being able to become an expert in the area (Helms, 2010) |
According to the Big five personality traits, characteristics like openness, enjoying people’s company, neuroticism and conscientiousness are in me (Chamorro-Premuzic, 2008). The only value that I lack is that of agreeableness in communication. This means that I do not always agree to the opinions of others.
Assertive Questionnaire: A set of questions is prepared in assertive questionnaire which helps to analyze the assertive characteristics of an individual (Terlutter, 2010). I obtained the questions from the internet so as to analyze whether my skills of communicating were passive, passive aggressive, aggressive or assertive in nature. After proper analysis I came to the conclusion that I have an assertive style with a little bit of aggression.
Literature sources from secondary journals and articles have been identified in order to undertake relevant research in the field. For the purpose of any type of analysis literature review is pertinent as it helps provide relevant insights and explanations to each and every topics. A literature review for the purpose of reflection has been given below wherein each and every concept has been included for a better understanding (Bidjerano, 2007).
Johari Window is a procedure that allows understanding people in a better way by diagnosing their relationship with themselves as well as the others. The method was created by Joseph Luft and Harington ups Ingham (Shenton, 2007). This is mostly utilized in groups wherein people are provided with a few adjectives from where they are required to select one that suits them the best. The following grid shows a typical model that is used for self-analysis.
The Arena part of the grid consists of the attributes which are selected by the peers as well as the participant. This has the qualities that are easily identifiable by both of these people. Hidden are those attributes which are known only to the participant and others are not aware of it. The blind area consists of the descriptive words which only the peers are aware of and not the participant himself. In the unknown area, all of the qualities are entered that are neither selected by the participant nor by the peers.
This is a certain kind of tool which has been designed so as to meet an individual’s communication understanding (Villaume, 2007). Here, a questionnaire is prepared so as to diagnose the communication style that has been adopted by people. The main aim of this questionnaire is to comprehend the opinions, views and the methods that have been adopted by people so as to understand their communication style. A communicative style questionnaire is a pertinent method and concept adopted which helps in providing relevant self-diagnosis and insights into several topics.
In the assertive questionnaire, all of the areas that can help to analyze the assertive skills of a person are understood (Twenge, 2014). The assertive style of communication is related to the personal characteristics of a person and someone with high self-esteem would select his style for the purpose of communication. This style is considered as the best style for communicating and people who use this style are capable of expressing their views through a series of non-verbal behaviors as well (Sadler, 2010).
SWOT Plan helps to analyze the weaknesses as well as the internal strengths along with the threats (Tellegen, 2008). It is a accredited method and can quite easily be adopted by an organization or an individual. It is a rather useful tool that is being use globally. A SWOT helps analyse all pertinent internal capabilities along with external threats and opportunities that are presented by the environment. A SWOT analysis helps diagnose relevant aspects and draw up a plan such that individual career goals and objectives can be met easily. This analysis is an age old practice that allows for a guided approach to understand all relevant areas regarding self and then acting on it.
Big Five personality traits is a procedure that is used by many people for their self-reflection so as to comprehend the several characteristics like agreeableness, openness, extraversion and so on (Shiota, 2007).
The action plan would include all of the steps that must be undertaken in order to mold the current communication style and improve the communication skills. Over the next 6 months, I plan on to implement this plan of action and reschedule my studying schedule. I also plan on to take up a professional course in order to enhance my communication skills even further (Neff, 2007). I already have assertive skills of communication which is in fact best suited for formal as well as informal communication. I understand that I need to reduce my aggressive nature and listen to what other people have to say in order to become a better communicator.
I have planned to take up a communication course soon. It is basically a 6 month course which would include intensive training. This course is in fact very famous and has been undertaken by several seniors of mine. The course opens up individual to a whole new world of communication along with its everyday challenges which helps in better learning. I would also include reading in my schedule as it helps to increase the knowledge of a person and help in becoming a better communicator.
This self-diagnosis is actually a first step towards self-criticism. Post this; I also plan on to assess myself in every 6 months which would help me to track my progress. I have also identified a professor whom I would request to be my mentor. He would be able to provide me the appropriate guidance required to achieve success.
Conclusion
Communication is a rather important part in any kind of profession. It might be formal or informal, verbal or non-verbal, but, it should be effective. It should be such that you are able to transfer your message to the intended person easily. Assertive style of communication is said to be the best and should be adopted by an individual for succeeding. The self-reflection on the basis of the diagnostic tools shows that while I have all the necessary qualities of being an assertive communicator, I have aggressive skills too. In order to mold that, I would undertake the action plan. I am a fast learner and believe that proper guidance and my high motivational skills would help me to overcome the challenges and become an efficient communicator.
References Lists
Bidjerano, T. &. (2007). The relationship between the big-five model of personality and self-regulated learning strategies. Learning and Individual Differences, 69-81.
Chamorro-Premuzic, T. A. (2008). Little more than personality: Dispositional determinants of test anxiety (the Big Five, core self-evaluations, and self-assessed intelligence). Learning and Individual Differences, 258-263.
Halpern, H. (2009). Supervision and the Johari window: a framework for asking questions. Education for Primary Care, 10-14.
Helms, M. M. (2010). Exploring SWOT analysis–where are we now? A review of academic research from the last decade. Journal of strategy and management, 215-251.
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Madlock, P. E. (2008). The link between leadership style, communicator competence, and employee satisfaction. The Journal of Business Communication (1973), 61-78.
McCabe, C. &. (2013). Communication skills for nursing practice. Palgrave Macmillan.
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Neff, K. D. (2007). An examination of self-compassion in relation to positive psychological functioning and personality traits. Journal of Research in Personality, 908-916.
Sadler, M. E. (2010). Personality and impression management: Mapping the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire onto 12 self-presentation tactics. Personality and Individual differences, 623-628.
Shenton, A. K. (2007). Viewing information needs through a Johari Window. . Reference Services Review, 487-496.
Shiota, M. N. (2007). The nature of awe: Elicitors, appraisals, and effects on self-concept. . Cognition and emotion, 944-963.
Snavely, W. B. (2008). Communicator style and social style: testing a theoretical interface. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 219-232.
South, B. (2007). Combining mandala and the Johari Window: An exercise in self-awareness. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 8-11.
Tellegen, A. &. (2008). Exploring personality through test construction: Development of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire. The SAGE handbook of personality theory and assessment, 261-292.
Terlutter, R. D. (2010). The cultural dimension of assertiveness in cross-cultural advertising: The perception and evaluation of assertive advertising appeals. International Journal of Advertising, 369-399.
Twenge, J. M. (2014). Generation Me-Revised and Updated: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled–and More Miserable Than Ever Before. Simon and Schuster.
Verklan, M. T. (2007). Johari Window: a model for communicating to each other. The Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing, 173-174.
Villaume, W. A. (2007). Discovering the listener within us: The impact of trait-like personality variables and communicator styles on preferences for listening style. The International Journal of Listening, 102-123.
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