Communication Self Analysis and Professional Development Plan
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NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITYASSIGNMENT COVER SHEETLearner: Morris N. Taylor THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETELY FILLED INPlease Follow These Procedures: If requested by your mentor, use an assignment cover sheet as the first page of the word processor file. The assignment header should include the Learner’s last name, first initial, course code, dash, and assignment number (DoeJXXX0000-1) justified to the left and the page number justified to the right.Keep a Photocopy or Electronic Copy of Your Assignments: You may need to re-submit assignments if your mentor has indicated that you may or must do so. Academic Integrity: All work submitted in each course must be the Learner’s own. This includes all assignments, exams, term papers, and other projects required by the faculty mentor. The known submission of another person’s work represented as that of the Learner’s without properly citing the source of the work will be considered plagiarism and will result in an unsatisfactory grade for the work submitted or for the entire course, and may result in academic dismissal.ED 7012-8Dr. Louis WangbergActivity 1Learner Comments: . Communication Self Analysis and Professional Development PlanMorris N. TaylorNorth Central UniversityIntroductionShockley-Zalabak (2010) defined communication as “a culturally dependent process of assigning meaning to symbols” (p. 20). Also, Shockley-Zalabak defined organizational communication as the “process through which organizations are created and it turn create and shape events” (p. 16). Each of these definitions considers the complex nature of communication. Communication, as an exchange between individuals through a variety of mediums, is the cornerstone of organizations. As an educational leader, communication is essential to the daily performance of empowering others and affecting change. A communication assessment found online at www.optimalthinking.com along with the survey results rate my skills as “mediocre”. The assessment results stated that I am functioning “well below my peak” and settling “for second best”. Yet, the LMX 7 Questionnaire rated my skills as a “high quality exchange” with members (score of 25). Considering these conflicting results, an analysis is significant. What follows is a critical analysis of my communication skills compiled from various inventories, associates, and self knowledge.
Communication SkillsAny form of public speaking has always caused a great amount of distress. With a Myers-Briggs type of ISFJ, quiet and conscientious are dominant traits. This ‘quietness’ translates into a low tone of voice when speaking. The ability to project and articulate varies according to context and setting. In my current position of assistant principal, the continual practice is increasing my confidence in this area. The rate of comfort, however, depends on the size of the group, familiarity with attendees, and preparation time. As expected, more ease is felt during planned meetings with small groups of familiar individuals. The discomfort increases when the individuals are “important” people, such as the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and other central office personnel. This is consistent with the results summarized in the Willingness to Communicate Scale, as shown in Table 1. This is a skill that I know that I will have to cultivate in order to have success in my future career as Director of Special Education. Table 1Willingness to Communicate Scale Scores and Nominative Means_____________________________________________________________ Raw Score Nominative Meanª______________________________________________________________Total WTC 41.6 67.3Public 67 56.1Meeting 0 60.0Group 67 73.4Dyad 33 79.5Stranger 0 41.3Acquaintance 50 75.0Friend 75 85.5_______________________________________________________________ªBased on a sample of 428 college studentsAlthough communicating through writing takes away the human interaction, it’s the method that I generally prefer. While writing, statements can be revised and time can be taken to form thoughts, commodities that speaking doesn’t afford. This revision helps to ensure that words are presented in a smooth and orderly fashion. Writing skills are generalized into discoursive communication skills, also. Instead of conducting weekly staff meetings, I prefer using email for communicating events and activities. Then, follow up on important tasks is conducted with small group (team) interactions.