Q-1 How competent are you in various communication skills?

Life's an interesting journey and how we learn to communicate is a very important part of that journey! The various types of communication skills are: 1. Intrapersonal Communication 2. Interpersonal Communication 3. Small Group Communication 4. Public Communication or Public Speaking 5. Non-Verbal Communication Intrapersonal Communication When communication takes place within the brain. Analysing myself on intrapersonal skills, I would rate myself as a good communicator. During any communication event, I start connecting within myself the whole scenario and analyse the atmosphere around. I sometimes relate things or the current communication to my personal life and judge the texts, signs, or symbols. This helps me understand things better and I am able to remember it for long. Interpersonal Communication When communication takes place between two individuals which may be both one-on-one or in a group setting. I feel that interpersonal communications are listening, talking and resolving conflicts and that may vary from verbal to non-verbal and from situation to situation. I am a good listener and in any formal group communication, I prefer talking at the appropriate moment. However, I become hesitate in advising the people around as I fear that they may not agree on my point of view, or if I say something then how will they judge me. So I realize that I need to improve in this regard.

Small Group Communication is an interaction process that occurs among three or more people interacting in an attempt to achieve commonly recognized goals either face-to-face or through mediated forms. I believe such communications usually takes place over a supper with few members involved. Handling few people in any situation is much simpler. I am better at convincing a smaller group as I feel that when you are in a small group, it is always easier to put forth your view and the arguments over it can be easily channelized. Public Speaking When messages are sent to an audience and speaker is doing most of the talking. I have never experienced such situation where I have spoken to a large gathering. If I am put to such a place then I may become reluctant as I have no experience. I would also like to mention that while giving presentations in class or during internship in the organization, one thing was always in my mind that I should not stop or forget anything while conversing. However I have performed well during presentations supporting with the feedback I have received and the satisfaction I have felt after communication. Non-Verbal Communication In non-verbal communication, people send messages to each other without talking. I can convey and connect very well for non-verbal communication. I can send as well as receive the communications through facial expressions, head positions, arm and hand movements. For any formal group or informal group communication I am aware of my body posture, and positioning of legs and feet as I believe that it reflects your personality.

Q-2 Describe communication situations in which you dont feel you are competent as youd like to be.

A situation such as a mass communication where a group has to represent to a gathering and when I know that the audience listening has a preference to a particular person In such a situation I feel if a person in my group is a better communicator then he/she should communicate rather giving preference to me. I do feel let down as I may not be able to communicate as effectively as the person did or in other words I then compare myself to that person. I sometimes do get afraid of the questions that could come from other side and wants to avoid the same. The fear comes from the fact that I start thinking - how the other person would judge me by my answer or if the answer provided by me matches the standard of the person. I need to become more competent and confident for this situation.

Q-3 How will you adapt your communication to different situations and people? Every moment a different communication takes place, be it with us, with an individual or a group hence it becomes necessary to adapt to situations and people differently. The most important part in any communication is non-verbal communication. For a formal group, corporate as well as non-verbal communication is essential. In the corporate world the communication would be more polite, formal along with good eye contact, facial expressions, and appropriate body language. This represents our attention towards the speaker. My adaptation to a formal group communication would be more of a good listener and active participation as required. Informal group communication such communication can further be differentiated based on gender, place, age group. Any feeling or emotion that is transferred in this communication has to be first analysed on the basis of whom the people are involved in the group, is it all men or women or both. Accordingly the message would be moulded and communicated. In informal group the feelings of the other person is very important as they are much
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closer to us so care has to be taken while exchanging any words. Again facial expressions, gestures, eye contact are crucial. Different situations such as in a conflict or taking an important decision I would emphasize more on how to resolve such situations by supporting the parties at the end. It would be such that communication between them should be smoothening to an extent that outcome is favoured by all. In such situations it is always better to think, speak and communicate, by weighing the words being spoken at the moment.

Q-4 How consistently and effectively do you engage in dual perspective when interacting with others? How can you tell when you really understand anothers point of view? It is always better to take a stand on your own point of view rather being a rolling stone. On the contrary, if the situation is of conflict where no solution is agreed upon by the parties than we must don into dual perspective support each partys point of view. This would dilute the conflict on a plane level which might help getting to the solution. It would provide time to each one to think from others viewpoint. I preferably take a stand on whatever is my judgement and avoid engaging in dual perspective. When one has already been through the same situation which is being experienced by the fellow at the point of time, then we can say that I understand his/her viewpoint. For this I would narrate the whole state of affairs that occurred with me and what were the actions taken and what the outcome of it was.

Q-5 How do you monitor your communication so that you gauge how you come across to others? For monitoring purpose it is always better to know your environment in advance where the communication is to take place. Before conversation I see what I have to say and what I have to avoid. And during conversation I modify
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and edit my thoughts before expressing them. If I am with my friends my communication is friendlier and easy going and not much thought process is involved. If I am in some meeting or someone with higher authority, I talk as and when necessary and sensibly. In both the cases I consciously make sure my body language is correct as it creates perception about our personality. With some people whom I am really close, I usually ask for their criticism on my communication and this is the best way to monitor the interaction and conversation. Q-6 Describe your commitment to others, relationships, yourself and the interpersonal communication process. Commitment means promise, loyalty, devotion such words are as heavy as they sound. Commitment requires investing energy in communicating ethically with others as a human being. If a commitment is made to others by me then I will stand on it because this create and built new and good relations with that person and not fulfilling that commitment towards anyone reflects immature personality. I faithfully treat another person as a member of the group and not dismissing anybodys feeling as wrong or inappropriate. In a relationship, be it family or corporate a commitment provides direction to a higher opportunity and more responsibilities towards other. Fulfilling duties makes you accountable for other things also. My commitment towards them is of high priority. I ensure my commitment is such that I deliver well and I do dedicate my cent percent to it. I honour the other persons thoughts even if I feel differently. My commitment to myself is unwavering but then it may alter according to situation and circumstance (especially if family is involved). Interpersonal communication is interactive and always evolving and sensitive to multiple meanings and irreversibility of communication, hence, commitment is important to relationships, to others, to us and to communication.