Communication styles

I communicate differently depending upon my audience. The social identities I share with a variety of groups depends upon what information I share. I am much more relaxed with friends and family than my colleagues and strangers. I am more open and honest with friends and can be myself yet when I communicate with other groups, there is a need to filter certain topics and body language. I need to become very introverted when meeting new people yet when I am in a group of colleagues, I am often the advocate for change. I tend to be the one who says what everyone else is thinking. I may exhibit more formal body language with elder family members yet relax with friends and younger family members.


To better communicate with these groups, I need to better understand the human traits they exhibit rather than the social identities that bond us. I must acknowledge that differences are ok instead of feeling defensive if another viewpoint is presented. I acknowledge that I am much more empathetic with my closer family members and friends, but could need to expand that into colleagues and strangers. I struggle with empathy for my staff because I have been perceived to have "favorites". In this instance, I have resorted to being much more black & white and follow the rule book. Finally, I need to be cognizant of the emotions that become involved in the communication. I often take comments personally only to later find that this was not the intention of the other party. Once I feel hurt or belittled in any way, I tend to disengage and not listen as closely. By removing the emotion of the message and focus on the message only, I am able to communicate more effectively with all parties (Vuckovic, 2008).

Reference:

Vuckovic, A. (2008). Inter-cultural communication: A foundation of communicative action. Multicultural Education and Technology Journal, 2(1), 47–59.