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Brayden Evans

Professor Steve Haslam

COMM-1010

01/22/19

Myself As A Communicator Part 2

For my first paper I was able to write about my communication from my own perspective. For

this paper I was asked to interview three people I know well and to ask them questions about

what it’s like to have a conversation with me. The three people that I chose to interview were my

wife, coworker (who is one of my good friends), and a neighborhood friend (also a coworker). I

chose these three because I communicate with them every day, I know that they are honest, and

are not people to hold back to avoid a difficult conversation. Below is a summary of the

information that I was able to gather from our interviews.

Articulating Needs, Opinions, Views or Concerns

How am I at articulating my needs, opinions, views or concerns?

My wife said that when it comes to vocalizing my needs, opinions and views that I do not hold

back. She mentioned that I hold strong opinions and my communication is clear and straight to

the point.

My coworker said that I am pretty good at articulating needs, opinions, views or concerns. He

said that in a work environment that I am good at expressing what I need and getting responses

from either who I need it from or what is needed.

My neighborhood friend said that I am pretty polite when I do it but that I also just try to figure

most things out on my own. He mentioned that he thinks I don’t want to burden other people in

some cases but on the other side he says that he doesn’t think I’m afraid to ask for something if I
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need it. He said for the most part I’m very thoughtful before making comments but that there are

a handful of issues that I am very black and white about. He also mentioned that if he mentions

something that I don’t necessarily agree with that I will try to look at it from his point of view

and share how mine varies and why.

Listening

How am I as a listener?

My wife said that I can be a great listener at times. She told me that she can usually count on me

when she needs it. However, she feels as if there are times when she is talking to me and my full

attention is not on her because I have distracted myself with something else.

My coworker said that I am a very good listener. He said that it is because I don’t sit there

thinking of a response but rather I just hear the problem out. He stated that is something that

really sticks out to him when we are having a conversation.

My neighborhood friend said that I am a great listener because I actively listen. He can always

tell that I am paying attention even if I am doing something.

Nonverbal Communication

What aspects of my nonverbal behavior are effective? What can be improved?

My wife has noticed that my nonverbal communication reflects a lot on my body language. She

said that she can tell when I am upset because I will fold my arms and close myself off from the

person I am communicating with.

My coworker said that I always keep eye contact in conversations. That I have inviting body

language when I am communicating with someone. But also my uninviting body language when

I don’t really want to be talking to certain people. He said that I could improve on my uninviting

body language even if I really don’t want to have a conversation with certain individuals.
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My neighborhood friend said that my body language tells him a lot about how I am feeling. He

also said I am very good at projecting confidence without being a “dick”.

Communication Strengths

What are my communication strengths?

My wife said that I have good communication and patience while in conversations. She told me

that while in arguments I seek to find the root problem and try to see things from the opposing

point of view.

My coworker told me that one of my biggest communication strengths is listening. He explained

that it is because not only do I hear people out but I am relatable to whoever I am speaking with.

That along with listening it seems that I express empathy and understanding.

My neighborhood friend said that I work really well in a team. That I make sure I am in

communication with everyone on my team. He says that I am good at portraying that I care. He

said another huge thing that he has noticed is that I won’t talk crap behind peoples back once

they leave the room.

Communication Weaknesses

What are my communication weaknesses?

My wife didn’t have a lot to say about my communication weaknesses – this could be because

she is trying to avoid a fight. She said that my only weakness I have is in the tone in my voice

that I get while talking to someone that annoys me or makes me upset.

My coworker had a hard time with this question, he didn’t feel like he was qualified to answer

this question because he doesn’t know a whole lot about communication. But after some more

questions he said that I could probably work on being more open to other viewpoints that I may

not agree with.

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My neighborhood friend said that I struggle with putting myself in other people’s shoes that I

disagree with. He said empathizing with people that I strongly disagree with is something I could

definitely work on.

Having a Conversation With Me

What is it like to have a conversation with me?

My wife said that she enjoys and loves having conversations with me. She told me that when we

first met it was our conversations that drew her to me. She felt like I was genuinely interested in

talking to her and she never felt like the conversation went dry.

My coworker said that it is pleasant to have a conversation with me. He said a conversation with

me is pleasant because of everything else he stated before.

My neighborhood friend told me that it is pretty great and that it is easy. He said I am really good

at the back and forth, affirmations, and connecting in a conversation. He also said that I am

funny and entertaining.

Summary

I found this assignment to be very interesting and very informative. I really didn’t think the

interviews were going to be very beneficial to me. In the end it really does help me to see the

things that I could work on. I kind of already knew that I should be more empathetic towards

others that I strongly disagree with and that’s because on our first assignment the empathy

section was my lowest score.

I was very surprised how each person had something to say about my body language. I never

realized how much my body language reflected my emotions and feelings. I plan on working on

getting better at empathizing with others and looking at things in different ways. I want people to
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feel safe having a conversation with me. I never want someone to feel judged during a

conversation with me.