Reflective Practice On Communication Skills Assessment

1. Diagnosis and Reflection

a) Following the purpose of the present assignment, which is to identify two areas of personal communication capabilities those needs improvement, the distinct section is going to make a reflective account for analyzing personal communication style. In order to accomplish the aforementioned aim, I am going to analyze my own communication skills by evaluating the result I have acquired after pursuing a self-assessment test through five diagnostic tools. The five diagnostic tools, which I selected for assessing my communication ability were – the Johari Window, Assertive questionnaire, Interpersonal communication skills test, Communications styles Questionnaire and the DISC personality test.

The Johari window test

The Johari Window test has helped me to acquire a coherent understanding about my personality and behavioral approach to others. More precisely, the open area or the first phase of the Johari window has helped me to understand that my perception about myself as a gullible individual is true. The second phase – Blind Area has indicated that I cannot make proper eye contact and do not pay proper attention to the other one in time of communication. I believe before the Johari Window test, I did not have any idea about the fact that I lack non-verbal communication gestures.

However, the hidden and unknown areas of the Johari Window test have indicated the fact that I am a trustworthy person though several times I cannot express my point of view about someone in front of that person and end up in talking about the person behind their back. I should admit that the realization has left me disappointed. Nevertheless, I have also understood that instead of realizing negative attributes about myself, I have come to identify that I am adaptable and I have the ability to improvise my flaws.

From the Interpersonal communication skills test, I have understood that I do lack in non-verbal communication skills and most of the time I am incapable in expressing my views to others. Moreover, the test has indicated that I cannot properly detect the moods of others by making eye contact. This is again implying that I should improvise my non-verbal communication skills.

The communication styles questionnaire has asserted that I prefer to take thorough preparation prior to pursue a work, which I believe is a good sign. Moreover, the test has indicated that I have a friendly gesture as I like to interact with others as well as like to work with others. Most significantly, I have come to realize about the fact that most of the time I look forward to acquire feedback from others to make sure that my performance is going in the right direction or not. It means I prefer to give priority to others’ opinions. However, the test has again given a disappointing realization that I behave impatiently while someone else is talking and it is again implying that I should improvise my listening skills.

2. Literature Review

The DISC personality test has pointed out that I have potential will power and generally, I tend to trust people. Moreover, result of the specific test has indicated the fact that I do have a positive attitude instead of my non-verbal communication issues and I have a helpful nature. Most importantly, the test has pointed out that if I find out that my opinions are not correct and they require to be revised, I show willingness to change them accordingly. Finally, I want to note that the test has indicated that most of the time, I do not raise my voice to protest any negative act or misbehavior.

The assertive questionnaire on the other hand, has helped me to understand that most of the time; I hide my emotions and pretend to be normal. I am glad to realize that I always prefer to speak about those things, which I care. Most significantly, I always ignore words and behavior, which can hurt others feelings and attack others intelligence. However, the test has again made me realize about the fact that in time of discussion, I could not communicate appropriately through my body language. It means my verbal communication skills are impressive enough though my body languages are disappointing.

b) The aforementioned analysis of the five diagnostic tools, which I have applied for assessing my communication as well as interpersonal capabilities have implied that one of my biggest communication issues is lack of non-verbal communication skills. Each of the tests has been indicative of the fact that I do listen to others properly and I cannot communicate with others with the help of impressive body language. The tests’ findings have also claimed that I cannot express my point of view to others properly and end up in talking behind their back. It means I tend to show passive-aggressiveness and in future, that can harm my position as an employee or as a manager. Therefore, I can say that my two communication issues are lack of non-verbal communication skills and my passive-aggressive approach.

c) Here I would like to mention two of the incidents, which occurred in the past six months, which have potentially given indication about two of my aforementioned flaws. About five months ago, I attended a business seminar with my tutor and the seminar was about intercultural communication skills and their importance in corporate life. Coming back from that seminar, I started having a discourse with my tutor about the seminar. I realized later that I had so many questions and queries in my mind, which needed to be cleared but I could not ask them to my tutor. Therefore, I came to realize that I could not express my confusions and point of views clearly in front of others.

3. Action Plan

Another incident occurred three months ago with one of my colleagues at work. My colleague and I started a conversation about the managerial decision that has been taken at that month. Throughout the entire conversation, my colleague wanted to assert the fact that the decision, which has been taken will help the employees in future. However, later that individual informed me that I should have shown more interest towards the opinion that he was sharing and most of the time I have been busy in establishing my opinions. Therefore, it indicated that I do listen to others properly.   

The importance of interpersonal communication skills in the personal as well as the professional life of an individual cannot be overstated. In order to interact and communicate with other people, an individual must learn the art of getting his message across the mind of another person in an effective way. A person will require explaining his views in an assertive way, so as to establish his perspectives as well as to communicate his feelings, grievances and complaints or to negotiate with the third party (Arroyo & Harwood, 2014). While an individual needs to engage in communication for almost each activity in life, he needs to embrace the assertive style of communication. According to the Communication Theories, communication is the act of sending a message encoded by the sender that needs to be decoded by the receiver. Hence, while communicating any issue, it becomes imperative that the speaker employs the use of a direct, straightforward style of communication that helps in making the listener aware of the content and context of the encoded message (Burgoon et al., 2016). However, on the other hand, passive aggressive communication style is a communication style in which the speaker lacks the courage or the straightforward approach needed for reacting to a specific situation, and rather prefers to remain silent. However, the speaker although is unable to assert his viewpoint in an effective way in the first place, he soon loses his calm and composure, and starts finding himself anxious until he bursts out in ager. More than often, people with this style of communication have the habit of speaking behind people, criticizing them, influencing others to think negatively about the person, they have problems with (Mojzisch et al., 2017).  Consequently this not only affects the self-esteem of the concerned individuals in a negative way, but also causes feelings of shame, guilt and frustration among the speakers.

Research studies have suggested that usually people with low self-confidence, assertiveness that is usually too wary of the outcome of every situation, falls prey to this style of communication. As opposed to the assertive communication style, the speakers of this particular communication style usually fail to assert themselves, cannot protect or are not fully aware of their own rights, thereby letting others infringe on the same, usually speak apologetically and exhibit poor eye contact. Usually the people with passive aggressive style of communication suffer from anxiety and are usually confused regarding their role in the communication process (Sbattella et al., 2014). The people with this communication style consider themselves to be weak, and that is why, they cannot confront a situation, by speaking vocally about the same. They prefer to speak at the back, being unable to articulate their emotions in an effective way. These people often mutter to themselves, make sarcastic comments, employ the use of undesirable facial expressions that end up creating a disturbing situation. According to research studies, an individual must communicate his needs in an appropriate and yet respectful way. While respecting and listening to the counter view of the opposite party is important, it is equally important to have a control of one’s own thoughts and ideas (West, 2016). People should embrace the use of direct and straightforward communication style that can help him to convey his message to the concerned authority, without creating any disturbance or without suffering from a sense of resentment, shame or guilt.

Although it is a less acknowledged fact, the body languages or the non-verbal communication gestures of an individual, such as eye contact, pitch and toe of voice or body movement also plays an integral role in the interpersonal communication process of an individual. While communicating with other people, the body language of an individual also deserves equal attention. First of all, an individual who is able to have a proper eye contact with the opposite person, during the process of communication, is considered to be sincere, highly professional and responsible in his conduct. On the other hand, an individual who usually tends to take his eyes off the eyes of the opposite person, or usually hesitates to bring his eyes in contact with the eyes of the other person, is interpreted to be nervous, anxious and even unconfident. Research studies suggest that an important purpose of conducting the job interviews before hiring an employee lies in the fact that it helps in getting an insight into the character and basic behavioral skills of an individual (Ruthrof, 2014). Often people fail to listen to a matter attentively, and frequently moves their body parts, such as legs and hands, hat convey a negative impression. People frequently moving their legs, or shaking their arms, are considered to be nervous, anxious and insecure, with poor listening skills. Again, if a person sits in a cross-legged position, he might be interpreted to be arrogant, rude and superficial. Research suggests that often people with assertive communication skills are also misinterpreted and misconstrued because of the undesirable body languages that fail to impress the opposite person. According to the Interactive Communication model, communication is the process of engaging and participating in the activity of exchanging views or ideas in an active way (Pease & Pease, 2016). Consequently, the behavior, gestures or the body postures of an individual should not under any circumstance exhibit indifference, lack of engagement, boredom, apathy or rudeness. Research studies have even suggested that a listener while listening to the speaker pays greater attention to the speaker’s body gestures and body languages, rather than focusing on the details of the content of his message. The body language of an individual speaks more than his words and herein lays the importance of non-verbal communication. The facial expressions, vocal tones, body movements act as symbolic gestures that can make or mar a conversation (Beattie & Ellis, 2014).

I have observed that I have interpersonal communication problems that can hinder me from carrying out any conversation in an effective way. I usually feel alienated from other people, and lack the confidence to express my views in a proper way at the right time. However, I often burst into anger and disappointment that ends up landing me in big problem. Similarly, I also fail to keep eye contact with the opposite person, and fail to engage in a conversation in a passionate way. I easily get distracted and I am misunderstood for poor listening skills. Hence, I wish to create an Action Plan over the coming six months that intend to improve my interpersonal communication skills to a considerable way.  

Action	Expected Outcome	Resources	Timeframe
I will enroll myself in a training course that can develop the communication skill in me. Since I am more of a Passive Aggressive speaker, I will try to enhance my communication skills so that I can speak in a more assertive way (Siegman & Fieldsten, 2014).	I will be able to establish my views at the right time and in the right way. I will not express my thoughts in a violent and aggressive way, and will rather learn to articulate my feelings with the help of the exact words.	· Money · Training Center · Trainer · Training Consultant	3 months
In order to improve my body language skills, I will attend communication skill developing seminars and workshops.	The seminars will help in creating awareness in me regarding the  signs and signals of body language and their implications. By becoming aware of which facial expression or body posture can affect my communication in a negative way, I can improve upon my communication style to a considerable way.	· Australian Agency for Education and Training · Trainer · Participants	Over a period of 4 months
I will practice speaking before the mirror to develop confidence and assertiveness while communicating any issue	This will help me to evaluate my communication style as learnt through seminars and training courses and understand to what extent my body language has been improved upon.	· Mirror · Time	1 month
Participate in different round the table conversations with friends and colleagues to boost up my interpersonal communication skills.	The more I engage in group conversation with the members of different groups, the more I will be able to develop the skills of assertiveness, confidence and straightforward approach of handling issues.	· Community · Colleagues · Time · Clubs   · Money	Over the period of 6 months

As it can be seen from the above Action Plan, I wish to engage in different training courses and workshops that can help me in creating sufficient awareness. I will be able to pay attention to the minor details such as my body position, the tone and pitch of my voice or how I make contact with my eyes. On the other hand, engaging in group conversations or speaking to myself before the mirror can help me in evaluating and reflecting on the extent to which I have been able to improve my communication skill.

Reference:

Arroyo, A., & Harwood, J. (2014). Theorizing fat talk: Intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup communication about groups. Annals of the International Communication Association, 38(1), 175-205.

Beattie, G., & Ellis, A. (2014). The psychology of language and communication. Psychology Press.

Burgoon, J. K., Guerrero, L. K., & Floyd, K. (2016). Nonverbal communication. Routledge.

Mojzisch, A., Kerschreiter, R., Faulmüller, N., Vogelgesang, F., & Schulz-Hardt, S. (2014). The consistency principle in interpersonal communication: Consequences of preference confirmation and disconfirmation in collective decision making. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106(6), 961.

Pease, A., & Pease, B. (2016). The Definitive Book of Body Language: how to read others’ attitudes by their gestures. Hachette UK.

Ruthrof, H. (2015). The body in language. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Sbattella, L., Colombo, L., Rinaldi, C., Tedesco, R., Matteucci, M., & Trivilini, A. (2014, January). Extracting emotions and communication styles from prosody. In International Conference on Physiological Computing Systems (pp. 21-42). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

Siegman, A. W., & Feldstein, S. (2014). Nonverbal behavior and communication. Psychology Press.

West, L. (2016). Coach-athlete communication: coaching style, leadership characteristics, and psychological outcomes.