Week 3

This week in our studies we were asked did we find ourselves communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?
At times I do find myself communicating differently with different groups and cultures. I communicate differently with my family then I do with my coworkers. I communicate differently with my church family then I do with those I work with, and I also communicate differently with those who can not speak english.
 We were then asked If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?  I believe that I am more comfortable communicating with family then those I have to work with, things are not so formal. Family doesn't care if you make a error or are politically correct but your coworkers do. My church family I don't let my hair down around them like I do with my family.
The three strategies that I could use to help me communicate more effectively with the people or groups that I  have identified are that I can 1) make use of the Platinum rule, Do unto others as they themselves would like to be treated.  2) I would also watch out for sterotyping, and 3) I would need to deconstruct my own schemas which means I would need to examine my own perceptions to see how I came to create schemas about different groups (O'Hair &Weimann, 2009).

What is Communication?

I believe the person that displays competent communication within a particular context is my Bishop! Bishop Weldon M. Johnson. The behaviors that he exhibits that make him an effective communicator are that he gives eye contact when speaking and listening to someone, and he is a great listener. He also is someone that you can talk to about things and you will never hear what you have told him again, from anyone else. You can trust him! Our book states that competent communicators adjust their behavior to suit particular individuals and situations. To communicate well , we must ensure that our communication is both appropriate and effective and I have seen this in our Bishop through his preaching and one on one consultation.  I would like to model some of his communication behaviors because he is very clear in what he says. You are never left feeling like you still have not understood what he has said. You also feel like you have been listened to, and what you have talked about is held in confidence. These are behaviors that I want to emulate.