Stewart, 2008 identifies some of the vital skills which can help me overcome barriers to effective communication and help me effectively express my ideas as I prepare for my oral presentation assignments. This skills enabled me appreciate the fact that the only way I can learn to correct my communication errors is through active participation in various discussion groups and being self-confident. One of the strategy I should adopt from the reading is having the ability to speak slowly and clearly when expressing my ideas. This aids in minimizing incidences of misunderstanding which ultimately lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding (Stewart, 2008).
Additionally, asking for clarification and ensuring specificity are some of the important key areas stressed by the author. From the reading, I identified the value of choosing the right medium for communicating my ideas. Successful communication strategy involves employing the virtue of patience as stated by (Belasen, 2000). This ensures that I take full consideration of the cross-cultural differences which may influence the communication process. Effective communication can be achieved when factors such as avoiding jargon, asking for clarification, using multiple channels and defining the basics of the intended message to be passed to the audience (Stewart, 2008).
Personality type
Carbonell (2011) enables me understand that different people have different personalities. Personality is that intrinsic character which plays a great role in determining one’s ability to form, sustain and maintain relationships. Thus, personality is one’s unique and relatively consistent pattern of feelings, thoughts and behaviors. This means that people in a particular environment exhibit two personality traits; the pessimists and the optimists. My personality type can be defined as Systematic, Clinical, and Demonstration (SCD). This kind of persona combines both examination and skillful analysis that enable one to effective solve underlying responsibilities. Carbonell 2011 also enables me to identify and understand the four personality types which each one of us has. He calls them the Systematic, Clinical, and Demonstration personality types.
Understanding these personality types is very important as it enables us understand the various personality our friends have and come up with ways of approaching the differences for healthy relationships (Carbonell 2011). As I read through each of these personalities, I understand my personality type, characteristics of people in my personality type and ways in which I can utilize my personality trait to enhance healthy relationship with my friends and in the line of my profession.
Therefore, I wonder if all of us understand our personality types. From this reading, I think people should take their time to understand their personality types to enhance their relationships. It is important to know whether your personality type is above the middle, straight middle and below middle. Above middle means that your personality type is above average, straight midline means you are average and below middle means that your personality type is below the required standard (Carbonell 2011). From this reading, I understand that people who their personalities are below the middle have low personalities and a lot needs to be done to enhance relationship in this group. However, I should encourage others read this book to understand their personalities better.
References
Belasen, T. (2000). Leading the learning organization: Communication and competencies for managing change. Albany, N.Y: State University of New York Press.
Carbonell M. (2011). How to solve the people Puzzle: Understanding personality patterns. New York: Routledge.
Stewart, J. (2008). Bridges not walls: A book about interpersonal communication. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
