When it comes to good communication, do you fancy yourself a “sensitive” communicator, an “insensitive” communicator or a mixture of both life attitudes and talk styles? I decided to ask my readers what view they take of their own communication skills. Not surprisingly, only 4.17% of you judge yourselves to be “insensitive communicators” (that is, people who don’t pay close enough attention to how your words impact others). But is your self-evaluation an accurate indicator of how good a communicator you are? Don’t bet your retirement savings on it!
WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR COMMUNICATION STYLE…COMMUNICATION IS EVERYTHING
The New Insights poll results turned out as follows to this question: “When it comes to my communication style…”
1. I am a “sensitive communicator” …………… 58.33%
2. I am both a “sensitive and insensitive communicator” …… 37.50%
3. I am an “insensitive communicator” …………………..4.17%
4. I don’t know what type of communicator I am ………………..0.00%
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO TALK
Now I know I’ve got some very “tuned in” readers who are “turned on” by effective and positive communication, BUT I wonder if how we view our own communication prowess is a little different than how others are viewing us.
KEEP A CLOSED MIND AND YOU WON’T FIND PEACE OF MIND
Some of the standard ways we shut off good communication and shut down a co-communicator from sharing their real views with us:
1. A closed mind
2. A know-it-all who does little to promote open talking
3. A pessimistic attitude disguised as pragmatism
4. A criticizer and critiquer who feels good finding and pointing out others’ faults
5. A nay-sayer who doesn’t embrace personal change
6. A one-up mindset of judging self as right and others responses as wrong
7. A non-compromising stance of: “You should change what I dislike because I said so!”
8. An emotional blackmailer who throws temper tantrums to get his or her way
9. Tough talking and bravado during tense times, such as: “You’ve got to take me as I am or leave!”
10. A failure to communicate every day in little and large ways
Be a know-it-little who does a LOT to promote open and flexible communication that includes everyone.
ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS EXPERT AND PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER AND SEMINAR LEADER DR. DENNIS O’GRADY
Go on a trip you won’t soon forget and get your kicks on Route 66, and talk to yourself and others in new ways that work wonders. Experience good results for yourself by using this new interpersonal communication approach found only in “Talk to Me: Communication Moves To Get Along With Anyone.” Don’t wait “until” all your ducks are lined up just right, or you lose out big in an important relationship, before you spend a few minutes taking care of YOU with help of the “Talk to Me” approach to relationship communication. No, this isn’t work…it’s fun, pleasurable and stress reducing. Your positive attitude will be boosted, your mood improve, junk not get ya’ down for long, and a whole bunch of other cool stuff. Dr. Dennis O’Grady is a psychologist licensed to drive on the communication highway, who lives in Dayton, Ohio, USA.