Personal Communications PaperOver the years, I believe my communication skills have become progressively better. However, my family has very good communication skills, which I believe has placed me a step ahead of my peers in the realm of communication. From a young age, I have been taught to express my feelings and emotions. I have also learned through trial and error which persuasive communication tactics work. In the following paragraphs, I will analyze my verbal and nonverbal communication strengths and weakness, as well as discuss some goals I have for improving my oral communications.Most of my verbal communication is strong. I normally form sentences that make sense to the person receiving my message. I have also learned tips that have assisted me in tailoring persuasive messages. In working for my father's company as a part-time sales director, I have learned how not to speak to people I am trying to influence. One of the most valua ...view middle of the document...
I believe this is because nonverbal communication is more involuntary than verbal communication. I assume that my nonverbal communication is sometimes effective because of the feedback I receive. When I am with a date, I will smile at her in a way that lets her know I'm having a good time. I can tell if she feels the same way by the feedback I get from her. I believe that most people have these abilities, but some people don't know the best context in which to use them.While I am not always aware of my nonverbal communication, one weakness I have experienced is my inability to lie. Many people would probably argue that this is not a communication weakness. However, lying isn't always a bad tactic. When my younger sister asked me the other day, "What did you think about the guy I brought over last night," It would have been rude to tell her I didn't like him. Apparently, that thought was obvious in my nonverbal communication as a whole, but it would have been to my benefit if I could have persuaded her to believe that I liked him. Nonverbally masking a surprise and avoiding the look of guilt are also weaknesses I have pertaining to my inability to communicate a false feeling or emotion.The first goal I have for improving my oral communication is to become more comfortable when formally speaking to a large audience. I don't have public speaking anxiety, but I do become more nervous then I would like to be. The next goal I have is to improve my interpersonal skills with women. While most men won't admit it, the fear of rejection usually follows the idea to start a conversation with someone of potential interest. It would be nice (for me) to talk to a woman without worrying about saying the wrong thing. The last goal I have is to become more effective in persuasive oral communication. I am not disappointed with my persuasive skills, but because they are such a valuable asset in so many different contexts, I would like to improve them.In conclusion, I don't feel that I am deficient of effective communication skills, but I recognize that I have some weaknesses that others may not (and vice versa). In looking closely at my own communication characteristics, I have become aware of traits I didn't realize I had, as well as traits I might be able to acquire in the future.
