Communication and Collaboration

For your blog this week, think of someone (e.g., family member, celebrity, politician, friend, or professor) who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context. What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not?


I have chosen to focus on my friend and teammate, Joni. She is a great communicator and has taught me a lot when it comes to communication. She listens when someone else is talking, giving them her full attention. She waits until they are finished talking to respond. She also chooses her words carefully and communicates in a respectful manner, whether she is happy, angry, sad, etc. When it comes to communicating during a disagreement, she always does so in a respectful way, by telling what she hears the other person saying, or repeating what they say back to them. In regards to children and their families, she praises, gives words of encouragement and advice, and does so in a kind and caring way. For example, this year she has a 5 yr old boy who seems to really struggle with anger. She had a conference with the family and expressed her concerns in a meaningful way, as well as listened to the mother's concerns, making suggestions for how they could work together to help the child. When it comes to email, she is formal, appropriate, and uses a positive tone. I have learned a lot from Joni, especially when it comes to confrontation, because we both tend to avoid it. She has taught me how to speak about how I'm feeling when in a hostile situation by using "I feel" statements and politely saying you will talk with that person once they are respectfully able to discuss the issue with me.