When I think of someone who is skilled at communicating, I think of my brother. My brother is employed as a business manager, but I often joke with him that he should have been a politician or a lawyer. This is because of his skill at communicating in a way that makes people listen and like him. What makes him a good communicator? First and foremost, he speaks with integrity. Unlike a politician however he doesn't tell people things that are not true in an attempt to "win them over". Instead he speaks truthfully. If he tells someone that he is going to do something, he does it. He also speaks honestly. Sometimes he is so honest that I wonder why others don't get mad at him. He is the friend that will tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear. For that reason, I think others respect him. He also speaks with confidence. I think when a person speaks with confidence others tend to listen. Finally, my brother is a good listener as well as a speaker. Most important, he is very good at not only listening but "reading" people and adjusting how he communicates and interacts with them based on his intuition and the situation.
I have often wanted to be a great communicator like my brother. His frank honesty that is delivered in a way that is helpful is something that I need to be able to do in my work to address any issues that may arise. In addition, I work with many different types of people in various situations, so reading others and adjusting my communication in those situations is an important skill, one that I am still practicing.
Terri,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, it is so good to have you back in one of my classes as well as in my group. Your brother sounds like an excellent communicator. I have noticed over the years that there are some people that others listen to and believe. Sometimes that is a good thing and other times not so good. You described that your brother changes the manner in which he communicates depending on the situation. Someone once told me that when you give a presentation or speech, you should always "know your audience". I think the same may be true in our everyday lives. This is especially relevant in our profession where every family is different. Thanks for sharing.
Mary Jo
Terri,
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost I must ask... do we have the same brother?? lol. The characteristics that you have described about your brother are quite similar to my brother. He is a talker and often wonder why he didn't go into the career of a prosecutor because all he likes to do is debate.
However, your brother sounds like a wonderful person. Someone whom you can definitely count on and rely on even when you are not looking for the truth.
Often times, we stray away from the truth because we feel it may hurt the next individual person's feeling but sometimes it's necessary to get your point across. Try implementing some of his traits one at a time, and you will soon see that you can put your own twist on it.
Great Read,
Sherrell