Madison Burton

7/8/19 SPCOM 120

Communication Inventory Analysis

Brief Description of Me as a Communicator

Over the course of this 6-week basis, I have learned many things about interpersonal

communication, how it influences relationships, and how to better use it effectively in our lives. Most

importantly, I’ve learned how to better manage them.

I believe that the most important part of understanding communication is to recognize it within

yourself. Whether from analyzing my conflict management styles, to my personality type, I believe that it

is all key to better understand myself, others, and the communication between us.

For example, I have found that I posses the conflict management style of collaboration, where

multiple communicators pair up in order to meet the goals of each communicator, and therefore, achieve a

win-win situation. I have also found that my personality type is that of an INFJ; where I am an introvert,

intuitive, a feeler, and a judger. This has provided more insight into my communication with both myself

and others.

It has also been quite interesting, as I learn different terms and concepts, identifying specific

concepts within myself- for example, the fallacies. I have recognized that I possess the fallacy of

catastrophic events, in which I have the belief that if something bad could possibly happen, it will. For

me, this is most commonly seen within assignments for courses I take, in which everything “has to be

perfect.”

Summary of Findings
 Madison Burton

7/8/19 SPCOM 120

I have discovered that I am an overall effective and clear communicator, as indicated by high

scores in each area of my interpersonal communication profile. I am adept at sending clear messages,

listening, giving and getting feedback, and handling emotional interactions. I work to empathize with

those around me and to view each situation from an array of perspectives and points of view. I work my

hardest to bridge the language barrier. I more effectively listen to others through minimizing noise that

can interfere with messages being communicated clearly and to hear, attend, understand, respond, and

remember what had been communicated to me. I try to talk less, reduce my distractions, avoid jumping to

conclusions and making premature judgements, and to seek the key ideas of the speaker as well as check

back for understanding. I believe that there are always things we can do better and I work hard to

incorporate that belief into my learning and specifically, my communication.

Area I From Inventory: Sending Clear Messages

It is especially important to know the impact of the messages one sends and to be aware of how

your messaging may affect others. Personally, I can improve my message output by taking time to reflect

on the messages I send when I communicate and recognize how my messages may impact those around

me. It is rarely difficult for me to talk with individuals around me and I am aware of my word choice so

that my words usually come out the way I would like. Fortunately, I can recognize how others are

reacting to the messages I send and I make a conscious decision to seek out how those I communicate

with feel about the points I am making or trying to make. I have made an effort to become more self

aware and to grow my interpersonal vocabulary and knowledge of concepts within communication. I have

also made an effort to maximize my competency and to be aware of how much I disclose to those around

me.
 Madison Burton

7/8/19 SPCOM 120

Area II From Inventory: Listening

The ways other people listen and respond to us is how we evaluate how other people are paying

attention to us, if they even are at all, through taking notice to key giveaways, such as a lack of eye

contact. Effective communicators use a variety of styles and consider many factors that play into

communication, such as gender, culture, the situation(s), styles, and past experiences of each of the

communicators. When confusion arises, I seek out answers by asking other communicators various

questions to better understand the message(s) they are attempting to convey and I decipher the intended

message through taking into account what they are saying, how they may be feeling, and through

empathizing with the other communicator and attempting to see things from their perspective. I ask

whether they are looking for someone to just listen and to confide in, or whether they are looking for

someone to give advice on the situation. I prompt the other communicator(s) to elaborate on statements. I

paraphrase what they have said in order to minimize confusion and maximize understanding. I consider

the emotional tone of the speaker's voice as well as the nonverbals they are exhibiting.

Over time, I have noticed particular patterns in the nonverbals those around me portray based on

common factors. However, I practice caution when attempting to interpret cues, especially as nonverbal

communication is ambiguous and can be misinterpreted easily. Along with nonverbals, I take into account

the emotional tones those around me use, such as picking up low voices used to convey sadness or the

harsher tones used when an individual is agitated. As well, I try my hardest to properly recognize my own

emotions in order to maximize effective communication and personal progress. I try to expound upon my

emotional vocabulary as I believe that there are specific words for whatever one is feeling; they just have

to choose the right word to more effectively express themselves. In order to improve my interpersonal

communication, I have tried my hardest to understand where each communicator is coming from and to

possess the ability to imagine myself in the other communicator’s shoes and what they must be feeling. I
 Madison Burton

7/8/19 SPCOM 120

have the knowledge that nothing will move forward or get resolved if the other individual(s) feel that they

do not have my undivided attention and purpose.

 Madison Burton

7/8/19 SPCOM 120

References

Adler, R.B. & Proctor II, R.F. (2015). Looking out, looking in. (15th ed). Boston,MA:Cengage Learning