Conflicts with Communication

I dont usually have conflicts with anyone since I seem to avoid them. Since conflict is "a negative interaction between two or more interdependent people, rooted in some actual or perceived disagreement"(O'Hair & Weimann, 2012. p. 220). The biggest issue that I deal with is not a disagreement or conflict, it is usually just different ideas that are being discussed in a meeting, and compromise is neccassary. I find myself using negotiation strategies to get my point across. I also use cooperative strategies. "Strategies that benefit the relationship, serve mutual rather than individual goals, and strive to produce solutions that benifit both parties"(O'Hare & Weimann, 2012. p.236). I have always been the peace maker, I tend to see both sides all the time and try to come up with a solution that makes everyone happy. This prevents many conflicts or disagreements in my life.

Most colleagues that I spoke with agree that using compromise is the most effective form of solving conflicts and disagreements. This tends to make everyone feel like they have had an input in whatever problem they are facing.

References

O'Hare, D.m Wiemann, M. (2012). Real Communication. New York: Bedford/St. Martin.

Communication Evaluation

Doing these evaluations was a challenge. I had to really think about the question and make sure that I was answering it honestly. The way I percieve myself and the way I actually communicate are different. I scored in group 1 for listening styles and this did not surprise me I often trust everyone no matter what and get burned because of it. The one thing that surprise me  was my verbal aggressiveness score. I don't agree with it, it says that with little provacation I might cross the line from "argumentativeness". I don't think that I do that but I will definatley take notice from now on. This is a charecterisitc that may very well affect my professional and personal life. I do not want people to view me this way. I am thinking thaty maybe because I have always been so trustworthy of people that maybe my defense is up and this makes me a little argumentative. The other evaluations were similar to how I evalluated myself, I am going to take this information and improve on areas that need it.

I have learned through this exercise that there are many aspects within communication. How others percieve you is very important. I want my staff, children and family to feel that they can talk to me and would not be judeged or ridiculed. I am going to make sure that I do this and become a more effective communicator.

Strategies to Communicte

There is so much cultural diversity throughout the world it is impossable not to see it. Trying to communicate with someone from another culture can be difficult becasue you do not want to insult them. I think a conversation with someone from a different culture that you may not fully understand would not convey all the intended information.

The three strategies that could be used to help communicate better are. Perceptions, self concept  and
stero-typing. Perceptions is "a cognitive process through wich we interpret  our expierences and come to our own unique understandings"(O'Hare & Weimann 2012, p.36). To be able to use perception I would be thoughtful when I seek answers don't let first impressions be the last. Sterotyping an individual or group can be damaging. The saying dont judge a book by its cover is true in stereotyping. An open mind needs to be kept to be able to effectivly communicate. I know many people that ride Harly Davidsons. Most people sterotype them as criminals, mean, dirty and uneducated. Many of them are very educated, and have influential jobs, such as lawyers, doctors, police. Also a persons concept of themselves influences conversations. If you do not feel good about yourself, you will portray that in a conversation.

By having a better self concept, perception and sterotyping you can have a more effective conversation.

References
O'Hare, D., & Wiemann, M, (2012). Real Communication. New York : Bedford/St. Martins.

Week two "Happy Endings"

For this blog I watched a show called "Happy Endings". First I found it very difficult to watch without sound. I could not concentrate on the program without the sound, I kept looking away, looking outside at my dogs, and everywhere but the tv. I needed to really think about what I was doing to be able to watch.

While watching the show without sound, the characters seemed to be friends that worked together, but by watching their facial expressions and body language they didn't all seem to like each other and they were sarcastic and patronized each other. Their facial expressions were not nice and there seemed to be certain characters in charge of the group, of they led the group.

When I watched the show with the sound my assumptions were partially right. They were being sarcastic to each other but they cared for one another. Their facial expressions were more for teasing each other than being mean. There wasn't a leader in the group just some of the characters were more prominent than others. Their body language expressed what they were saying most of the time, other times they were being sarcastic.

I found this assignment interesting. I realized that paying attention to someone or something even without sound is more important than I thought. I found that I seem to listen without looking. My A-HA moment is, I thought back to my professional life and discovered that I tend to look at other things while having a conversation. I multi-task too often and I need to be look at people when we talk. This is an area of my communication that I really need to work on. When I was young I didn't trust people that didn't look at me when they spoke. I don't want to be viewed that way, I am going to be very conscious of my future conversations with others.

Communication week 1

When I try to think of someone that is a good communicator, there is no one in my family that I think of. Journalist and great communicators, the only celebrity I think of is Oprah. I feel that her understanding of others, the way she uses her words, her body language make her a good communicator. She rarely takes sides, she may give advice, but doesn't judge anyone. She listens to everyone, and is patient until they are done. She also makes good eye contact with whoever she speaks too.

I would like to have her patience to listen to people. One problem I have is that some people are long winded and it is hard for me to be patient and listen to them. Especially when they are talking about something that I either have no interest in or is off topic.

Being a talk show host or even a journalist takes very special skills. Listening is one of them and I think one of the most important. This makes us knowledgeable about a topic we will be discussing or writing about, and gives us more credibility.

"GENIUS IS ETERNAL PATIENCE"
                                 MICHAELANGELO

Professional Hopes and Goals

The hope that I have is that I can create an environment for children that welcomes all diverse backgrounds. Creating an environment that is welcoming to everyone can be challenging, but with some hard work and an understanding of each childs diversity this can be accomplished. I also hope to share the importance of this with my staff. I have learned that as a society we are so focused on the dominant culture, that the others seem to get lost. I will advocate for all children and make sure that everyone's cutlure is celebrated.

My goal is to educated others on diversity. I thought that I had a good understanding of diversity, cutlure, "isms". But after completing this course I learned that not only did I not have a complete understanding of it, other do not either. This is a topic that needs to be taught and re-taught.

I enjoyed reading many of the post from everyone. I truly enjoyed learning about everyone and hearing so many stories. It made me feel that we have all had so many of the same experiences, and it helped me learn.
Thank you and Good Luck to everyone.

I would welcome a family from Scotland. This is a place that I know nothing about.

The five things that I would do to prepare for myself to be culturally responsive are:

1. I would research their government, and learn what there laws are. This will help me understand how they may react to certain laws in our country and I would be able t explain the differences.

2. I would learn about their customs and holidays. This will teach me about what they believe in and if they celebrate any of the same holidays as we do.

3. I would learn about any other language they may speak.

4. I would find out which region of the country they are from, what is the culture like there and what are the different religions.

5. I would learn about how family's function in Scotland. For example, do extended families live together, what are the cultural norms for society, what is the hierarchy within the family structure.

I hope that by learning these different things about Scotland, I will have a good understanding of what the family may be like. It will help me be more sensitive to their needs and avoid unintentionally insulting them. It will also give me topics to discuss with them which will make them feel as if they are part of our community. There also may be similarities between their culture and mine and I can use that to help them feel as if they are part of this community now. Making a family feel special and welcomed is important in the success of the child in the classroom.