Week 2: Strengths and Weaknesses in Communication

http://voyagecontrol.com/index.php/2016/02/23/the-magic-of-communication/

    Communication is not easy. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses in it. Personally, my strength lies with breaking the ice easily. I usually initiate the conversation because firstly, I dislike the feeling of awkwardness and secondly, I do not want the other person to think that I am a boring person.

    Usually when I meet someone new, I will start off by getting to know the other person. After finding a mutual interest between us, it is usually easy for me to bring out more topics to talk about. Throughout the years, I have also learned to be more observant towards the other person body language. I have developed a skill to read subtle gestures and how it reflects about the person behavior. For example, when interacting with a person of the opposite sex and she starts to play with her hair, I knew that there is a chance that she had developed some interest in me. This however is not always true, as sometimes, it could just be a habit of hers. Therefore, I must be careful and not rush to conclude that she absolutely like me.

    Even though I have certain skills that helped me through breaking the ice and continuing the conversation, I do however face certain challenges. For example, after finding mutual interest, I tend to talk and not leave any gaps for the other person to reply or allowing them to start a new topic. Basically, I am lost in my own world where I require the other person to just listen.

    By attending a course in interpersonal and work communication, I would like to achieve two things at the end. Firstly, I would like to be a better communicator by learning to know when the other person requires me to stop and have me listen instead. Secondly, I would like to learn how to use the skills that I currently have effectively at a work place such as in a project group where communicating is key.

Week 1: Reflection towards Communication Skills

    http://www.shareyouressays.com/94868/10-most-important-nature-or-characteristics-of-communication

     I strongly believe that it is critical to develop effective communication skills for me to communicate well with other people. With this effective communication skill set, it enables me to present myself successfully during an interview, effectively console a close friend in need, helps strengthen bond with a friend, creates a good first impression while making new friends and solves disputes professionally. For me to obtain this skill set and be an effective interpersonal communicator, I would have to learn the art of communication and apply it where ever I go.  This will include learning the process of communication, the dos and don’ts of communicating effectively, every aspects that affects the process of communication and lastly, practicing with different types of people and getting feedbacks from them on how well I communicate.