13 September 2018
We take communication for granted, believing that just because we know how to talk means me know how to get our point across. I say something, the other person responds, therefore we're communicating. If only it was that easy. It’s the person with a growth mindset who realizes that they don’t know everything, that they can always improve their skills in every aspect of their lives. I know I communicate better in writing than I do in person. When writing, I can take my time, pause when I need to in order to think about what I want to say. I can go back and edit what I've written, and then send it when I'm ready. Not so when communicating verbally. And that is where I need to improve. I know I don't always use the strongest vocabulary when speaking. I also know I have to be aware of my body language, facial expressions, and tone when speaking. When talking with friends, there's less pressure to communicate correctly the first time, because you can always clarify and then they let you off the hook if you got it wrong the first time. Not so in a professional setting. There is usually more on the line, such as when making a request of your supervisor or interacting with a member of the community. You have to be so careful that you don't offend, anger, or look stupid. I know I need to be able to control my emotions when I find myself in a stressful communication situation. I do take criticism well, but it also depends on how the criticism is delivered. Some are more tactful than others, but I don't get to choose how they convey their message. I only get to control how I react.
