What are your main take away lessons from the assigned reading this week? Describe and explain.

The lesson has provided good insights with regards to interpersonal relationships. Among the main take away lessons from the reading is how communication climates between individuals tend to change. This regardless of how the people involved relate to each other. Adler et al. (2014) assert that “personal relationships are a lot like the weather. Some are fair and warm, whereas others are stormy and cold; some are polluted and others healthy. Some relationships have stable climates, whereas others change dramatically- calm one moment and turbulent the next” (p. 239). The climate of a relationship normally changes based on the way that people communicate. The confirming and disconfirming messages that people send towards each other usually determines whether the climate will be negative or positive. The way people see themselves and whether they perceive to be valued determines the communication climate. Confirming and disconfirming responses are not only relayed in verbal means, but also in non-verbal cues. If confirming messages accrue, the climate is likely to be positive and vice versa.

Another important take away lesson is on interpersonal conflict. According to Adler et al. (2014), even the most supportive communication climate will not guarantee absolute harmony. There cannot be a world that exists without conflict. However, there are varied ways that effective communicators can use to manage conflict. This will help in eliminating the depressive fact of the inevitability of conflict. Managing conflict in a skillful manner is likely to open doors to stronger, healthier and satisfying relationships.

How will they affect the way you communicate?

The take away lessons from the reading are likely to affect the way that I communicate. Many are the times when you realize that there is a hostile climate engulfing the communications that you have with a certain individual. This is something that I will now be able to avoid in my future communication prospects. I will ensure that I always bring forward confirming messages, both through my verbal and non-verbal communication. This will enable for a positive climate hence effective communication.

The reading has also given me some reprieve with regards to interpersonal conflict. I have got the understanding that it is something that happens to everyone. This will affect the way I communicate since it will make it possible for me to express my true feelings. Initially, I used to hold back on some issues since I was afraid they would bring conflict with the other person based on what they believe in. The reading has made me understand that interpersonal conflicts as a result of communication are inevitable hence it is prudent to speak your mind out and then try to manage the conflict that ensues; if there is any. This is because holding back only makes it difficult for effective communication.

In what ways do the concepts in the videos and readings relate to your professional life in education?

The video on Climatic scene from “The Kids Are All Right” portrays an emotional climate. This is based on the words that are being used and the personal nature of the message being conveyed. This is something that is quite common in life when people are having a heart to heart conversation. The climate is likely to be emotional since the message holds something quite “heavy”.

The video on The Big Bang Theory- Sheldon’s Mother Visits entails somewhat awkward interpersonal relationships due to the sarcasm being used by the communicators. This is something that is quite common in any professional life. The introduction of such sarcasm in conversations brings out a form of disconfirming responses that result to awkwardness among the people involved in the conversation.

The video on Conflict Resolution: Thinking it Through puts more emphasis on the existence of conflict regardless of the age of the individual. This is something that people have to know in life since it becomes quite tricky while solving some conflicts given the relationship that exists. People are not sure whether to confront the other person or not.

In the video, Peer Mediation—A Process of Respect there is a showcase of an aspect of mediation in times of conflict. People might not be able to solve an issue on their own, and a third party comes in handy in helping to resolve the issue. As an educator, this is something that I am likely to encounter on various occasions among students. There is need to know what ought to be done on such occasions.

You is Smart, You is Kind, You is Important on the other hand is a video that demonstrates the importance of confirming messages. The child will grow valuing herself hence having a high self-esteem that will make her an effective communicator. As an educator, this is something I ought to do at all times. I should always take the initiative of passing confirming messages to my students in order to boost their self-esteem to help improve their communication practices.

Reference

Adler, R., Rodman, G., & DuPré, A. (2014). Understanding human communication (12th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Responses 

Hi Ranee,

I enjoyed reading through your posts due to the insights that you brought forward. It is very true on how healthy relationships can make someone’s life better. Attainment of healthy relationships is not possible without the presence of effective communication. In this case, the conversing parties should be exchanging confirming messages between/among each other to ensure that everyone feels valued. This form of positive interaction is likely to enhance healthy relationships hence the increased probability of better living.  The communication climate develops as people communicate. The nature of words and non-verbal cues being used determine the direction of the climate. With regards to conflict, you have brought out that in cases of conflict both parties ought to be aware of the disagreements at hand. This is the appropriate way towards finding formidable solutions. You have gone on to explore the video on conflict resolution 1 in a favorable manner too. People view conflicts in different ways, and that is why it becomes easier for someone to solve the conflicts while it becomes difficult for others to solve the conflicts at the same time. People do not have to use similar strategies to solve varying conflicts; people involved ought to find a workable solution given the circumstances.

Hi Roseann,

It is true that communication climate starts to build immediately people start to converse. The first words you say to an individual can determine how the entire interaction will go. This is because people tend to develop notions about others instantly. That is why there are either aspects of maybe nervousness or composure in communication for people that are meeting for the first time.  How an individual makes you feel about yourself goes a long way in determining where your relationship after the first interaction is headed. You have explored the video “You is Smart, You is Kind, You is Important” quite well. Based on the confirming messages that the child is receiving, she is likely to form a positive relationship with the maid since she makes her feel valued and quite important. There is a good point in your post of how different aspects such as culture and gender among others affect the way that people resolve conflicts.  It is always advisable to take such aspects into consideration while trying to resolve a conflict since they might be a stumbling block to finding lasting solutions. Understanding what someone else believes in would go a long away into avoiding some conflicting interactions.

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