Strategies for Resolving Conflicts

I don't allow myself to become involved in conflicts so that is actually my first strategy for avoiding conflict all together.  In the past, I have find it easy to get involved in a conflict with others, but now I find it so much more satisfying and rewarding to avoid it all together.  I'm at a point in my life that I don't let too many things upset me, so I choose to avoid and/or ignore the things that have the potential to cause a disagreement.
Another strategy that I find useful is being straight forward and honest with people from the start.  I've found over the years that people respect you more for being up front with them and it avoids any conflict when you are not afraid to say whats on your mind, but respectfully.

If I every come to a disagreement with someone, it will usually be something very minor because I rarely have the time energy to get into anything else.  I am willing to compromise and look for solutions rather to let the situation escalate.  I always try to listen and respect what others have to say, and I will let them know it is something that doesnt't sit will with me without it turning into a disagreement.

Evaluations

The way I evaluated myself and the way others evaluated me is very similar.  This is surprising to me because often times people just assume things about a person without really knowing the person.  I was surprised to learn that their evaluations were not far from the one I did on myself.

One insight I gain about communication is that people may know you better than you think they know you.  This makes me feel as though I am good at communicating what I like and dislike.  It's important in my personal and professional life to communicate effectively with people so that they will be comfortable with you.  This will keep communication lines open and build effective working relationships.

Another insight I gained about communication is to be aware of how I communicate with others and the messages I send out because you never know how your actions are perceived by others.  If I want to be viewed a certain way in life, then I have to make sure I am sending out the right messages to others.  Professionally, I need to always be aware of how I am perceived by others in order to build and maintain relationships.  Personally, I need to work towards building and strengthening relationships with others, as well.

Communication and Culture

As I encounter the different cultural diversity among my colleagues, family and neighbors, I find that I communicate with others the same regardless of the their background or what group they belong too.  If any communication is different, I would say it is in the way I speak to someone who speaks a different language  and they do not understand.  I also try to listen more intensely to people from others countries so that I be able to get a better understanding of how they are as well as help to meet their needs.

One strategy I would used to help me communicate more effectively, is to take time to learn about the customs and cultures of others. The more I know about others, the more effective I will become.  Another strategy I would use is learn all aspects of effective communication and learn how to utilize it so that I will be able to become an effective communicator.  I would also continue to help children and families become comfortable enough with who they are and with their own cultures and beliefs to share their experiences with others.

Communication Skills-week 2

TV Show-- "Let's Stay Together." 
I know there are two married couples on the show because the show opened with one couple at a house and then another couple at another house.  I can tell by the body language, such as kissing, hugging and eating breakfast that they are probably married. There are some other ladies on the show that I think may be friends of the couples because they are having dinner together, and I saw them earlier at the couples houses. The dinner appears to be a birthday celebration.  I also notice that neither of the two other ladies bother to knock when they come into the couples houses so that lets me know they are close friends or family.  I see a lot of happiness, smiles and laughing between all the characters. 

With the sound on, I learned that one of the other ladies was actually the sister and sister-n-law of one of the couples, and not just a friend.  I thought it was a birthday celebration and it was actually a graduation celebration.
I think my assumptions would have been more accurate with a familiar show, but only with the familiar characters.  I think anyone new who appeared would have been difficult to identify. 

Competent Communicator

My supervisor demonstrates competent communication during our staff meetings by making sure that she maintains eye contact with everyone when she is speaking and by always having an agenda.  She allows everyone in the meeting a chance to share personal/professional news at the beginning of the meeting which sets a comfortable tone for everyone in the room.  She makes sure everyone understands everything being discussed and gives everyone a chance to ask questions after each topic on the agenda.  She always makes sure the meeting progresses without too many interruptions, and if an issue comes up that needs more individual attention, she asks the person to see her afterwards in order to keep the meeting on point and to a minimum.

I would want to model some of my own communication behaviors after her because I hate sitting in long, boring meetings, and I know many other people do as well.  I think she does an excellent job of making the staff meeting is as enjoyable as possible by keeping it to a minimum while making sure all points are covered.  She's always interested in learning new things from the staff and encouraging others to share.