For your blog this week, think about the similarities and differences between how you evaluated yourself as a communicator and how others evaluated you. What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why? What other insights about communication did you gain this week? Choose at least two to share with others through your blog and consider how each might inform your professional work and personal life.
As a communicator I usually evaluate myself pretty hard. I have learned that as an individual you are your biggest critic. Before I present in any environment I always read over, read aloud and review the topic and information that I am going to state. I feel this is the best way for me to present and stay within a timeframe.
When I spoke with others, I found out that others seem to give me an excellent review when it comes to communicating. That have stated that I am extremely energetic and present in a way that those who are not comfortable in large crowds can feel comfortable. This was shocking because that was always my hopes, but I wasn't sure if I was actually meeting my own expectations.
After reading the selection this week, I learned that I am self-denigration. "Self-denigration is criticizing or attacking yourself. I often pinpoint on what I did wrong or what I could have done better. Pinpointing on the negative does not improve or add to my success.
The next session that I learned that was sparking to me is self-actualization. "Self-actualization is the feelings and thoughts you get when you know that you have negotiated a communication situation as well as you possibly could." For example, I have a teacher who does not understand the purpose for incorporating the HighScope curriculum in a head start classroom. She has not received the proper training and have only received negative comments from seasoned teachers who believe the way they were taught is better.
Reference
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real
communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteYou spoke of self- denigration and focusing on what you have done wrong does not improve your success; I may have to disagree on that. Sometimes I believe if we look at what we have done wrong and reevaluate and reassess our selves; we begin to think outside the box. What I am trying to say is that if we revise and reflect on ourselves we will achieve higher goals.
Hi TaShanna -
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post this week. I know through the assessments we took I was shocked to find that I am "people-oriented" through my assessment and through my husbands as well. That is funny to me because I do not do well in groups of people and try to avoid them...while at the same time I LOVE to do presentations. I know I have to be a weird egg, but I feel very comfortable when I am presenting in large groups, but want to sit back and/or avoid "small talk" with small groups of people. And when I leave a small group I am always "self denigration" trying to think of what I might have said wrong or how I could have said something better etc. I am looking forward to what this class is teaching me and how it can only help me get better with communication!
Thanks for sharing!
Gena
TaShanna,
ReplyDeleteI like that you spoke about self-actualization. I see this types of problems happening many times with some of my colleagues. I can think of one person that I have worked with many times. She has trouble with writing lesson plans. She goes to others who have led her to believe she is doing it right. I constantly have to mentor her on show her the proper way. Since these other people have convinced her that she is doing it correctly, she is not open to help to improve her actions.
TaShanna,
ReplyDeleteI am also self-denigration especially when I write a paper or have to speak in a large group. After I finish a paper I read it over and over and still feel like I could do better or that it wasn't good enough. I can easily point out all my flaws. But when it comes to others I am "people-oriented" and look for all the positive attributes they have and try to mentor them to be the best that they can be.