Are You a Good Communicator?

Are You A Good Communicator?

Communication is the process of sharing ones information to another person or a group of people
whether it is ones thoughts or his or her feelings through spoken words, written words, or body
language. Effective communication requires that the transmitted information is received and
understood by the receiver in the way it was intended. Interpersonal relationships are important
particularly in the health care industry for teamwork and forming positive working relationships
between the health care team and their patients. Trust in health care is an important interpersonal
skill and the cornerstone of effective doctor-patient relationships. The need for interpersonal trust
relates to the vulnerability associated with being ill. Without trust patients may well not access
services at all, let alone disclose all medically relevant information (Rowe & Calnan, 2006, p4).
Trust is also an important interpersonal element in effective healthcare team development.
A supportive climate encourages open, honest, and constructive interactions among informal
conversations and formal conversations. While a defensive climate leads to competitive or even
destructive conflict. According to Dr. Jack Gibb, who was a distinguished psychologist and a
consultant for various organizations for five decades, there are six dimensions of behavior. Each
dimension has an opposite or polar end. One side of the dimension creates a defensive climate,
while the opposite side creates a supportive climate. The six poles for supportive dimensions and its
polar opposite are description versus evaluation, problem orientation versus control, spontaneity
versus strategy, empathy versus neutrality, equality versus superiority, and provisionalism versus
certainty. All of the dimensions supportive and defensive climates are valid factors in determining
the effectiveness of communication. Learning to express ones self in a supportive rather than a
defensive way, opens the door to improving the communication climate in all relationships
(Cheesebro, OConnor, & Rios, 2010, p.135). Supportive relationships are more appropriate in the
healthcare workplace because supportive climate encourages open, honest, and constructive
interactions among the healthcare team and their patients.
The assertive style in communication allows an individual to state what he or she thinks, feels,
wants, or needs in a way that is direct, honest, and respectful of others while allowing others to do
the same. Assertive communication is appropriate in the healthcare workplace because
assertiveness is based on mutual respect that is needed in the healthcare workplace; it is an
effective and diplomatic communication style. Assertive communication is best understood when
compared with aggressive and nonassertive communication (Cheesebro, O'Connor, & Rios, 2010).
Assertiveness is expressing thoughts while showing respect to others, aggressiveness is expressing
thoughts while showing disrespect to others, and nonassertiveness is not showing any needs or
wants at all.
On the How Assertive Are You? Exercise in chapter 6 of Communicating in the Workplace I scored a
50 this exercise tells me that I am reasonably assertive in some areas but considerably less so in
other areas. I agree with the example its provides Although you might feel fairly comfortable
expressing your honest opinions to a close friend or family member, you refrain from voicing your
views in a group setting, particularly if you know others disagree with you (Cheesebro, O'Connor, &
Rios, 2010). The example that was given is exactly how I am among a group of people. My
communication style is a mix of assertive and nonassertive gestures (voice, speech pattern, and
facial expression, eye contact, and body movements). Depending on the situation, my voice is quiet
and often drops away at the end of sentences or it may be steady and firm. My speech pattern may
be hesitant and filled with pauses or fluent with few awkward pauses. My facial expressions may be
quick-changing features or frowns when angry, otherwise open. My eye contact is evasive hardly
making eye contact. My body movements are usually relaxed sitting upright and I often talk with
open hand movements.
For those of you who want to take their own assertiveness self-assessment test there is a free one
on the Internet at http://acoachforchampions.com/Assertiveness_Self.pdf. Five reasons to becoming
more assertive are decreased anxiety, the sense of freedom, more free time after learning when to
say no, improve relationships with others, and a better self-image. One of the most useful skills that
can enhance your interpersonal communication is the four-part assertion message. The four-part
assertion message includes the following parts:
1. Behavior description A factual description of the behavior causing the problem.
2. Feeling message A statement of your feelings in response to the behavior.
3. Consequence statement An identification of the tangible consequences you are experiencing
because of the behavior.
4. Request statement A statement of request as a possible solution to the problem (Cheesebro,
O'Connor, & Rios, 2010).
The four-part assertion messages can be used when the need to confront others who behavior may
be interfering with your work or causing you extra work.
Trust and teamwork is an important part of the healthcare workplace. Patients need to trust his or
her physician as well as the healthcare team, and the physician and his or her team need to trust
each other so a positive working relationship can be formed. Fewer mistakes will happen with proper
communication in the healthcare workplace along with trust.
References
Cheesebro, T., O'Connor, L., & Rios, F. (2010). Communicating in the workplace. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Rowe, R., & Calnan, M. (2006). Trust Relations in Healthcare - The New Agenda. Oxford Journals -
Medicine - European Journal of Public Health, 16(1), 4-6. Retrieved from
http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/content/16/1/4.full