Effective Communication and Communication Barriers: Reflective Journal

Communication (from Latin communicate, meaning 'to share') is the conscious act of conveying meanings. This is usually accomplished by starting with one element or gathering then onto the next using commonly comprehended signs, images, and semiotic rules. In general, communication is a method for interacting with individuals or groups. Communication can be classified as oral, non-verbal, and composed. The 21st century has seen a veritable explosion in the types and sophistication of communication methods.

Communication is a two-way process which goes about as a medium to associate people and empowers them to express their opinion, contemplations, thoughts, data, or messages. In other words, it is a method of exchanging information whereby the recipient decodes the encoded message from the sender and recognizes the receipt of the same by an agreed-upon feedback method. This is the formal meaning of communication. Communication can be arranged under four types; shapes, medium, media, and different types. Communication empowers the arrangement of human securities which has been basic for the foundation of human progress. People utilize communication so as to get things going in their lives and it is a ubiquitous human movement. A successful leader, director, legitimate specialist, therapeutic expert, social worker, bookkeeper, human asset supervisor, or individual working in some other occupation can convey and work with others in an intentional, steady and adaptable way. Compelling communication helps in accomplishing the intended result. In addition, effective and competent communicators are able to make connections and build strong relationships with others. While ineffective communicators raise barriers around themselves. Capable communication is an impression of our capacity to interact and influence others in different settings. The capacity to communicate is also exemplified in the quality and extent or their communication aptitudes.

I experienced the first awareness of the importance of communication while I was studying in the final year of secondary school in India in the year 2012. In the final year of my secondary school, I was selected as the head of the art and craft club. I was the head of the committee which had other students as members. I had always suffered from stage fright and I was terrified at the prospect of leading a group of 20 members. I was feeling a bit nervous at the first meeting and I fumbled, during my introductory speech. My teacher Mrs. Anjana advised me to overcome this communication barrier and motivated me to work hard. Thereafter, I regularly practiced every day to improve my communication skills. I spent time on improving my grammar, my vocabulary, and my vocal delivery. And eventually, I was able to not only overcome my stage fright but also became an effective communicator. Communication is not only the art of speaking but it is also a way for two or more people to comprehend each other. People find it hard to achieve this minor but critical objective of communicating effectively. But nothing is impossible for a determined person. So, I commenced the conduct of meetings and active participation in the morning assembly events. I even garnered the courage to become a member of the school’s annual fete committee. These activities may seem minor but they helped me get over my inhibitions and taught me valuable lessons in group and activity management and more importantly in communication. Being the head of a creative club was a challenge for me and communication was an essential tool. Each and every activity required a lot of communication right from getting an idea, explaining it to the committee, putting it on it on paper, explaining it to the teacher in charge, and then finally presenting it to the principal. This would not have been possible without proper communication skills. At every level, I had to indulge in formal or informal communication. Often there have been times when there were clashes among the committee regarding a particular idea or an event, but with proper communication skills, all the conflicts were resolved. Thus early in my life, I had great exposure to the value of communication. It has now become an integral part of me and it has helped me gain meaningful insights in life.

After completing my schooling, I chose to do an Honours degree in commerce from the International College for Girls in Jaipur. Initially, it was very difficult for me to interact with people from different parts of the country. Since I was from a small town and didn’t have a gregarious personality, a drastic change was required. As a consequence, I undertook an optional diploma in event management. I made several friends and became part of a group of similar-minded people. Doing the diploma in my graduation helped me build good interpersonal relations, moreover, this taught me how to work among a group and made me capable of bringing my plans into action. During my graduation, the sheer number of assignments and group presentations forced me to have extensive communication with my classmates. I would like to point out that these three years made me an extremely different person from what I was before. It was only because of communication that I was able to develop a very good relationships with many friends and build long-lasting friendships. This was absolutely necessary for my day-to-day survival in college. In college, I developed interpersonal relationships with several teachers and the dean. I was in very good terms with many of my teachers since I was the one who took initiative and voluntarily shouldered the responsibility as communication helps in building good human relationships. Communication barrier happens when people come from different backgrounds and they use their own slang or words in conversation. This results in the misinterpretation of the communicated message. Also staying away from home was altogether a new experience for me. Getting along with new people and immersing myself into a new world was very difficult, but I somehow managed it. Even after having experience living in a hostel, there were various things which came along the way. I used to stay in a paying guest cum hostel in a twin room sharing basis with a girl named Shreya. In addition, there were 20 seniors and 10 of us from the same year. In the second year when all the seniors passed out and our group was among the seniors of the hostel but I was the one who was the most popular amongst the juniors. This was solely due to the communication skills that I could get along with people from different backgrounds and I made friends with several people. They not only provided companionship in Jaipur but also helped me with my assignments and other tasks. One must be an extrovert. It is only when people talk and express themselves that they are understood. It is very important to convey one’s ideas and thoughts to people which are impossible without communication. It is very important to make develop good human relation that lasts for a lifetime and this is only possible with effective communication.

After completing my graduation I was determined to complete my master's from a renowned college overseas. I started researching various colleges. I spoke to my friends regarding the various colleges and the various degrees I had researched. It was a tedious and time-consuming job. I had to consult various institutes and had to visit different organizations. I then came across various universities in Singapore. I had always dreamed of studying in this city. I convinced my parents about the benefits of studying in Singapore and they agreed to support me in my higher studies. I then enquired about James cook university and studied the various courses it offered. I decided to enroll at the university. It was quite a journey for me to come from a small town to a two-tier city and finally to a university outside India. It was a totally a new experience for me since in my graduate degree course, I was only dealing with people across India and their culture but in Singapore, I had to deal with people from all across the globe.I secured admission into that university and I moved to Singapore. In Singapore, I moved in with a new group of flatmates. Four of us came together and leased a flat. Again communication played a very vital role in the leasing of the flat. It was due to effective communication that I could convince them to include me in their group. My communication skills helped me to easily adjust with my new friends.

Communication barriers will definitely exist if one does not open up with people.It is very difficult to be in a new place and deal with a bunch of new people. Being an extrovert is what is necessary for people living away from home so that they can adjust with the various people and have a life outside college studies.

Moreover, this subject - people in organization was the only subject that actually gave us a platform to interact and know our classmates, I found this subject very interesting and beneficial. Communication played a very important role in this subject. The Group Presentation further added important lessons in effective communication. We were asked to make groups of 5 students amongst ourselves with each of us from countries. There were several communication barriers that created a communication gap. This had to be removed for us to work effectively. And as we learned in the lecture -The Different Dimension of Communication Style( Dominance and Sociability continuum). All the members of the group were high on sociability skills. This helped our group and since everyone enjoyed social relationships, all of us were high on the social continuum which proved to be a positive factor as people were ready to help and work dedicatedly rather than being low on the social continuum, this diligence, cooperation, and coordination helped us to give a good presentation.

Regarding the kind of manager and leader, I would like to be in years’ time and later in five years’ time with the knowledge I have gained is to be a person who applies all this communication theory in the practical world. I would like to formulate the decision-making process effectively. I feel as a manager I must possess various qualities such as assertiveness, emotional stability, and the ability to handle tense situations. But all of these qualities require the critical tool of effective communication. A manager will need the skills to motivate employees and help them work effectively and efficiently with optimum utilization of resources. This requires effective communication. The various style of communication can help me to categorize my employees and deal with each of them differently. The main emphasis of a manager is to reduce chaos and smoothen the flow of work, along with proper decision-making. This can be achieved by having good interpersonal relations and good subordinate relations which can be developed with the aid of communication.

This reflective journal has deepened my understanding about the topic ' of effective communication'. It has helped me build my basic knowledge of communication and also taught me to face different experiences in my life. I have also learned various aspects of my personality where I could be more expressive. It has helped me in understanding myself. This reflective journal showed me how small experiences in communication can give rise to profound knowledge. This not only enlightens our present but also lays a foundation for the future. Communication style may be emotive, reflective, directive, and supportive but it helps us in assessing our own personal strengths in different circumstances. And therefore communication works for those who work at it. These days, PCs, cell phones, and tablets have achieved their dominance in society. Communication has moved toward becoming smoother and simpler and global. The cutting-edge methods for communication, for the most part, the wide exhibit of utilization, for example, Facebook and Skype have developed into the most valuable instruments that help us stay tuned with the pace of the 21st century.

References

1. Effective Human Relations: Interpersonal And Organizational Applications, 13th Edition - 9781305576162 - Cengage. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.cengage.com/c/effective-human-relations-interpersonal-and-organizational-applications-13e-reece/9781305576162
2. Communication for business and the professions : strategies and skills / Judith Dwyer. - Version details. (2019). Retrieved from https://trove.nla.gov.au/nbdid/48877306