Communication Styles Web Field Trip Essay

How did you score? Are you surprised by the results? Do you agree with the interpretation of your score?
On passing the Assertiveness test, I gained 78 points and the following interpretation:
You seldom hesitate to address the issues that concern you the most. Whether it’s noisy neighbors or perhaps a raise you feel you deserve, you’ll immediately bring it to attention. You express yourself quite freely, asserting your personal rights with the confidence that your request is reasonable. As a typically self-assured individual, you are fairly comfortable with letting others know you disagree with them, especially when you feel you’re being treated poorly. This approach shows that you feel you deserve respect, and want others to treat you this way.

Basically, I agree with the results, although I do not feel being too self-assured. Instead, I believe that all my requirements and my actions are just and fair and I ask really only what I deserve to. Therefore, the results are not really surprising for me. At the same time, I believe that each individual should say directly what he/she thinks, because one should make others respect his/her rights. Otherwise, you are likely to suffer from unfair attitude to you.
2.
Reviewing the questionnaire item by item, can you find aspects of communication in which you are either nonassertive or possibly too assertive? Do you think that your communication style can be improved by making adjustments within these areas of communication?
Probably, I am too assertive in expressing my opinion. Often I can express my opinion to other people even before thinking about its consequences that naturally may create some problems in my communication with people. Obviously, excessive assertiveness is not always positive for my communication because people I communicate with grow nervous, when I become too assertive. As a result, communication gaps emerge because other people think I am trying to push on them, although I just try to express my opinion and tell them what I actually think. In such a way, I should become less assertive in certain issues.
3.
Based on the results of this questionnaire, develop an action plan for improving your communication style. Table 15.1 is a helpful source.
The questionnaire has revealed certain drawbacks in my communication skills. On the ground of the questionnaire’s results, I can develop the action plan to improve my communication skills.
First, I have to identify my problem, which is actually the excessive assertiveness, when I express my opinion without careful consideration of its consequences.
Second, I should define possible strategies to cope with this problem. In this regard, I should focus on careful consideration of all my actions. To put it more precisely, I should become more patient and think more carefully before starting to express my personal opinion, especially on issues, which I am not absolutely competent in. In such a way, I can decrease the risk of being too assertive.
Third, I should start implementing the selected strategy. In this regard, I should start with my family members, my friends, peers, and only after that expand the scope to other people I communicate with. In such a way, I can test the impact of my strategy on my communication.
Finally, I should monitor my profess and make notes on changes in my communication under the impact of the strategy I use.