Repetition and Practice makes Perfect
Repetition and practice are driving factors of success. Everyone has different and unique abilities but in order to better yourself at anything, whether you’re already good at it or terrible, you must put forth effort and practice to enhance these abilities. These strategies can help improve communication skills.
The writer David Porter explains in his blog, “Believing We are Heard” how often in the business world one’s ideas and message go unnoticed. He states, “All communication comes to us through a filter” (Porter, 2017). In other words, people don’t always speak their mind openly they speak due to the situation. He goes on to mention five crucial steps he’s came up with to increase the likely hood your message will get across to others through communication. These steps are check ourselves, check our message, test the message, deliver the message and follow up the message (Porter, 2017). Porter, describes these five steps in detail to help his audience become efficient in communicating their ideas. The first three steps correlate with the idea practice makes perfect. What he means by check ourselves is to create a good name for yourself and to do so you must continuously communicate with others to build a reputation (Porter, 2017). The next two steps which are check our message and test the message also go hand and hand with repetition and practice. He emphasizes on staying dedicated to your point and rather changing it, but to adjust it by considering others thoughts and ideas. In order to get these thoughts and ideas from peers he suggestions testing the message over and over to others (Porter, 2017).
I tested Porters steps through my own repetition. A good friend of mine is going through a rough patch in life. I knew that being his best friend meant I needed to stand up and tell him, he needs to make changes. I knew I couldn’t just come out and tell him how I felt because I risked the chance of losing a friend. So I thought about what I wanted to say to him and let it resonate with me for a few days. I then discussed my thoughts with my parents and fellow friends (also his friends). They gave me ideas on what to emphasis on and how to come across as caring rather than demanding. Following Porters steps I was able to practice my communication skills by explaining my message to others. I learned every situation is different and specifically for this one how to get my message across without over stepping boundaries and still getting across an effective point.
My fellow classmate Angelo explains in his blog, “The Concept of Good/Bad Workplace Communication” the ways to communicate correctly to avoid confusion between fellow colleagues. He mentions that, “If everyone is on the same page, no one gets lost or confused, which leads to better overall production and employee moral” (Robinson, 2017). What he is trying to get across to his audience is maintaining a connection with others through communication will lead to proper and effective work. This relates to my situation; I needed to reach a connect between my friend and I of a common understanding that my opinion was only there to help him not to judge him. By doing so I was able to help my friend and hopefully set him up with a more successful and brighter future. In the future, I will continue trying to incorporate Porters steps and Angelo’s thoughts to help become a better communicator.
Citations
Porter, D (2017, May 5th) Believing we are heard [Blog Post]
Retrieved from https://medium.com/@dporter2010/about-believing-we-are-heard-f9de95888ffe
Robinson, A (2017, September 25th) The concept of good/bad workplace communication [Blog Post]
Retrieved from https://medium.com/communication-unspoken-in-the-workplace/the-concept-of-good-bad-workplace-communication-405895ccca56
