Before undertaking the communication quiz, I did not have confidence in my communication skills and always thought I am a poor communicator. As a result, I was not often involved in talking to a large crowd of people or address essential issues effectively with nervousness taking hold of me. Since I do not like communicating, I thought my score would be low. However, after taking part in the communication quiz, I realized that I was not a bad communicator after all. From the score interpretation, I am a capable communicator but with a few issues with getting the message across. I have problems with my approach to communication that entails not understanding my audience before beginning to communicate, issues with my body language as well as having issues with maintaining a positive attitude when communicating. I tend to have the problems with my self-image that makes me nervous whenever standing to speak before people caused by the fear or not doing it right.
The quiz helped me to look over the areas where I need to polish to become a better communicator. For example, I realized that my worst area of communication is face to face that comes with not being good with my body language as well as not paying attention to the nonverbal skills of my partner when communicating. As a result, I tend to prefer communicating through email or text when am in need of talking to someone rather than addressing them face to face to avoid distorting the intended message. I have learned the importance of maintaining body language and correct choice of words in getting the message across.
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The three characteristics of an effective communicator include understanding the audience, improving on body language and maintaining a positive attitude when communicating. Great communicators know their audience and tailor the message to suit the audience. This helps in planning on the language and tone to use in the communication and avoid distorting the message (Leigh, 2010). For example, if the audience comprises of professionals, then a formal structure should be employed in passing the message effectively.
Secondly, an excellent communicator needs to work on their body language and understand how to use the gestures, eye contact, and tonal variation among other nonverbal cues. When communicating face to face, body language is as important as the words being spoken (Hyatt, 2012). In this regard, recognizing the state of the audience via their facial expression and postures can help a good communicator understand their audience and in turn tailor their message to match the attitude of the audience. They also use their nonverbal skills to ensure they deliver the message in the right manner.
Additionally, good communicators listen to absorb what others say and enable them to come up with appropriate responses. They do not create one-sided conversations and never try to think of reactions while the other person is speaking. Instead, great communicators listen and know what fits when it comes to speaking out (Hyatt, 2012).
Some of the ways I am going to improve my communication skills include learning to understand my audience and how to tailor my message to suit the particular audience. I tend to have issues with sending an appropriate message to the audience because of failing to understand their composition. In most instances, I use the wrong medium in passing the message. This affects the quality of the message I pass around.
Secondly, I need to work on my body language when communicating with other people. I have issues with my body image that affects how I present myself in front of my audience. My body language affects how I communicate my message as seen with lack of gestures or tonal variation when communicating, arising due to being nervous when speaking in front of people. As a result, I need to work on this aspect to become a great communicator.
References
Hyatt, M. (2012, May 11). 4 Characteristics of Effective Communicators. Retrieved from https://michaelhyatt.com/4-characteristics-of-effective-communicators/
Leigh, A. (2010, July 22). Characteristics of Effective Communication. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/characteristics-effective-communication-3182.html
