When I think about
communication, I think about poise, gestures, and speaking with intent. As I
began to exam the people in my circle, one name comes to mind, Sarah Garrison.
She is one of my former professors from The University of Southern Mississippi.
She taught me how to listen, engage, and respond to others while conducting
interactions. Some typical behaviors one would see while conversing with Mrs.
Garrison is, she looks directly in one’s eyes while she is speaking. She also
maintains a positive attitude, she keeps her voice at a low tone, and she
always allows one to finish his or her thoughts. When I first met her, she was
hard for me to read; I thought, why is she nodding so much and not responding.
Later, I realized she was the perfect conversationalist; she was responding
with non-verbal cues. She nodded when necessary, leaned in when she spoke, she
kept her hands in her lap, she never interrupted while someone else was
speaking, and her facial expressions were always positive. If I could model my
communication skills after anyone, it would be Mrs. Garrison. All of her
behaviors, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills make her an effective
communicator. I would want to model the positive facial expressions she
displays, and I would like to have her calm demeanor, and low tone of voice. She
always had a way about her, which allowed me to calm myself when I was in her
presence. The reason why I would choose to model her communication skills is that
she allows a person to feel open; her willingness to listen makes one want to
communicate with her. Although she is a Marriage and Family Therapist, I
believe many of her skills come from her temperament. I do not think one could
teach another how to be so calm, patient, and respectful of others.
Lah-Lah Devine
Lah-Lah I have experienced the same behavior from someone before in conversation, I am speaking to them and I feel they are not listening. But come to find out they were they were exhibiting behaviors of a good communicator. They were able to communicate back to me everything I conveyed to them. I was in s meeting at work and the question was asked who they felt was a good listener, and one of my coworkers were named. We all agreed she was a good listener because if you came to her to talk she listens, pays attention, and makes eye contact with you when you are talking. Then before she responds to what you said she stop and leans in and takes a deep breathe and then expresses her feelings. This makes you feel valued in the conversation.
ReplyDeleteIt is a coincides that we both stated that a therapist where in our eyes as good communicators. I know communication skills are the bases of their practice. If they can't communicate then the can not serve their clients.
Lah-Lah I have to agree with you that modeling effective communication skills is the key. Ms. Garrison seems to be very effective at it. We can all learn from her. I would have to add that since we work in the field of early childhood education we too need to be effective in our communication skills. Since we have to communicate with parents and children do we display that calm demeanor, listen when others are talking, eye contact and more like Ms. Garrison. We have to communicate effectively everyday with teachers, parents, children, and therapist. Learning to communicate with many different people takes practice and we need to be sensitive. This is extremely important if we are going to be successful in the field of early childhood. I have learned over the years the importance of being effective and professional in my dealing with others. In an early childhood setting, communicating with fellow teachers and staff is an important aspect of the job. I make it a point of being very respectful when communicating with others. I find it is always good to learn from others.
DeleteLah-Lah,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. You and I admire a very similar individual. They both utilize the same techniques when they communicate that we find to effective. It's wonderful to able to learn from those that are important to us!