In the realm of personal and professional interactions, being a competent communicator
is essential. This means effectively conveying information, ideas, and emotions in a clear,
respectful, and efficient manner. Communication is a multifaceted process that involves both
verbal and nonverbal elements. It's not just about what you say, but how you say it, the tone you
use, and the body language that accompanies your words. It's also about understanding the
context in which the communication is taking place, the audience you are addressing, and the
purpose or goal of the communication. To evaluate myself as a communicator, based on the
above definition, I would rate my competence in speaking as 3 out of 10. As an introverted
person, communication doesn't come naturally to me. I don't gravitate towards large social
gatherings or crave the limelight. I am more comfortable in quieter, more intimate settings. Yet, I
understand the importance of communication and am dedicated to improving my skills. While I
may not enjoy needless chatter or the art of small talk, I do value clarity and efficiency in my
communication. I try to ensure that my words are clear and unambiguous, and that I get to the
point without unnecessary detours. This is something I want to improve further. When I speak,
my aim is to be clear and truthful, without resorting to exaggeration or distortion. Another
strength I bring to my communication is respect. I believe in treating all individuals with dignity
and consideration, even when our ideas or opinions clash. I can engage in any conversation
respectfully, even if disagreements arise. I firmly believe that it's not my role to convince
someone of my viewpoint, but rather to maintain respect for their perspective, regardless of how
much it differs from my own. However, I do struggle with clarity from a knowledgeable
standpoint. I've observed that people, including myself, sometimes engage in debates over
information that is irrelevant or incorrect. This is a negative aspect of my communication, as I'm
occasionally unprepared with factual data and rely more on personal opinions. That's why I
believe a competent communicator should be resourceful and well-informed, equipped with a
broad knowledge base. It's also why I think it's important to ask questions when you are unsure.
Good communication is about being inquisitive and seeking to understand, not just to be
understood. I believe good communication also includes being able to initiate conversations,
especially about important matters. It's about improving your skills through practice and
experience. Everything I've mentioned up until this point is what I would consider "organic
communication" - the basic skills we use in everyday conversation that might not be as critical
and are used just to get by in general conversation. However, I think that the best communicators
are those who are strategic in their approach. They have a clear goal in mind and they know how
to achieve it. Strategic communicators know what they want from a conversation. They
understand their audience and pay meticulous attention to details, knowing that each piece of
information will help them reach their intended goal. An important part of this strategy is gaining
agreement from their audience. This way, they get the response they desire and gain something
from the situation. The literal definition of competent is to be successful, which is why I value
strategic communicators. It's not just about reaching a goal, but also about demonstrating the
value that a person might gain from a situation. If you can't do this, you might not be a good
strategic communicator, depending on the audience you're targeting.Strategic communicators
also take into account the needs and interests of both parties. The beauty of these skills is that
when used correctly, they can overcome any resistance that you would typically encounter while
trying to prove your viewpoint as correct to the other person. This way, you ensure your point of
view is understood and met with an outcome that you desire, without any unnecessary
complications.