Communication is part of everyone's daily life. Hence, it is essential for us, social beings, to do so effectively. In my opinion, communication is a crucial part in defining a person. In one's daily life, communication means dealing with a conflict, motivating a team, expressing your opinion and understanding others’ opinion. To us students, it would define our working lives, our social lives and future. Hence, losing effectiveness in these areas could have drastic effects.
Facebook and Twitter have become part of our vocabulary. They help bring everyone a step closer to understanding each other better. Our world is getting increasingly globalized, but yet there is common miscommunication between us. And miscommunication could lead to torn relationships between us.
I would admit that I have faced several communication breakdowns between friends and family. One such would be religious differences that cause such breakdown. I remember simply saying “Merry Christmas” to a Muslim friend was a mistake. Luckily she did not take it to heart, but explained to me the reason. Two words itself could cause a misunderstanding between people. Therefore, I feel it is essential that bridging any miscommunication unintended could make or break a person’s first impression of you.
I have also come to learn that effective communication also does not just mean expressing yourself well, but more importantly, listening. The me in the past, always wanted people to hear my opinions but yet I have realized that listening to people’s feelings and opinions help me to understand them better and build greater friendships. It is important that we show interest in people’s opinions – even though sometimes I fail to do so myself!
In conclusion, I feel that effective communication is important to me because it partly defines who I am – my relationship with family and friends and future!
Hi Jia Ai,
ReplyDeleteI believe online communication tools are stifling our interpersonal skills as we are less careful with our tone when speaking. I share your sentiments that listening is very important to building a strong relationship with another. I find it difficult to listen effectively and often I am unable to interpret the speaker's intentions. I have a tendency to retreat to my 'cave' when I don't know the right way to put my thoughts across, and sometimes this creates further misunderstandings. I'm certain with this course we'll learn the more effective ways to approach such situations with the appropriate attitude!
And don't fret over the presentation today, you can only grow in confidence over time and I'm certain you'll have more opportunities to shine!
Eric Li
Hey Jia Ai,
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful how you bridged the impact of communication in people’s lives to new media and misunderstandings before touching upon your perspective of communication.
Perhaps cultural differences or even personal backgrounds may be a cause for miscommunications as people’s perspectives and values may vary. A common example will be the many unsaid cues in Japanese culture that subordinates (or people of lower stature) are supposed to pick up on their own initiative or risk facing the wrath of their superiors – and maybe this accounts for the excellent Japanese service culture in general.
I agree with Eric who builds upon your point on listening which is an alarming phenomenon in current day life as we get used to internet messaging and gradually lose our personal touch. I too believe that everyone wants to be heard, in some way or the other, but it is also important to feedback appropriately and constructively.
All in all, your post provides a general idea on the importance of communication in our lives and I look forward to seeing how you will define your own life!
Cheers,
Sam
Hi Jia Ai,
ReplyDeleteI find your idea of social media propelling communication amongst people, yet not necessarily bringing out effective communication in us, insightful. Evident is the way some individuals may use this platform to display their dissatisfaction, expecting the desired actions or changes to take place. More often than not, they led to people forming varying judgements of themselves. Hence such mode of communication spurs different ideas in people.
I guess people have to be conscious of what they are communicating and how they want to communicate a certain message, before they can leverage on any medium to build stronger relationships with other people. With the young population ‘born digital’, it might be worth giving a thought on how social media tools can encourage effective communication.
I like your team’s dynamics, and though you are only a Year 1, there are definitely many other chances for you to excel in presenting!
Jerina
Hi Jia Ai:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and everyone else that these social media sites indeed make communication more convenient for everyone but ideas and messages may not be delivered effectively through these sites which could lead to dire consequences. I also feel that the lack of face to face communication in such sites would undermine effective communication skills like listening and reading body language which could eventually affect the way people interact socially. Therefore, I hope the world would not evolve to become reliance on electronic communication for communication and social interaction only.
With regards,
Kar Liang
@ Eric : thanks for your comments and encouragement! Hopefully our listening skills will improve after this module!
ReplyDelete@ Sam: hello, thanks for the long encouraging comment. I do really appreciate it. And yes, I do realize that Japanese are very wary about politeness and especially on lateness when I took Japanese class last year!
@Jerina: Thanks for helping me comment! I do admit myself that using text messages are ways to prevent any awkward situations, but yet it stifles effective communication among us. Hopefully we will learn to depend less on such devices.
@ KarLiang: Hello! Thanks again. I'm guilty of such methods of communicating, do hope I will communicate better after this module!
Hi Jia Ai,
ReplyDeleteYou write well and it is a very good post. You talked about yourself and what communication means to you--that's good.
However,it is a little too long (300 words?).
You need to work on the conciseness. Perhaps the first and second paragraphs could be combined to form an introduction.
What about having an appropriate title?
Regards,
Happy