Important Skills For My Interpersonal Communication Competence
The two skills that I need to improve this semester from communication competence is behavioral flexibility and self-disclosure. I’ve noticed over my left time behavior flexibility has always been a problem for me. As an immigrant from Kenya Nairobi you see things were not that easy to adapt. Language, food, time cycle, and people as well.
I grew up in a city called Kamorock where it was peaceful and quite. I did go to school and life was too simple. I didn't have to worry about anything. My parents provided for me and i did was play around with my friends. During those times the days were long. I mean super long. It felt like it was never going to end until i came here. Everything change when i came here. Things were foreign to me so it hard for me to adapt. I did not know what “pizza” was nor was i able to communicate. Imagine going to school where you’re the only person who speaks non-English. The only way where i noticed my adaption is from home. I would always try to communicate with my parents in English. Of course my mom would be surprised but my dad not so much. Funny things was he was fluent but just had an accent. As the years went by I easily adapted to my surroundings. Everyone i knew spoke English. The shows I watched were in English, and everyone i went people would speak it, so what happened i learned it well. Then why do I have to improve it this semester?
Main reason why is in order for me to A’s my classes I have to be able to feel comfortable. I noticed this semester i felt a little uncomfortable taking a class that i knew would be a little challenging. I tend to freak out a lot, so if I don't quickly prepare myself then doom is yet to come for me. I’m building my way up right now. I do have all the materials but all I know is could've done better. According to Bochner and Kelly, behavior flexibility is being able to be flexible to uncommon situation. Things that you’re not used to yet, so for me to obtain that this semester would be magical.
Another skill that I need to improve on this semester is self-disclosure. According to Bochner and Kelly, self-disclosure is telling about yourself in way that does not expose you. For an example, you wouldn't go up to someone and start telling everything about you, but rather something more serious, or an event full tragedy in the past or present that seemingly tells about you. For me, I tend to never reveal myself. Why? Still unknown, I wouldn't say i have trust issues but for me it's a way to protect myself. I always loved having my own space and running at my own time. I noticed every time i opened to someone my time would be consumed by them, most of the time it would be waste or they would take advantage and get too comfortable. I hated it, at the same time I've noticed something different. The more I did not open up the more isolated i was, but the less the more surrounded i was which has its ups and downs. I wouldn't say i would reveal myself too much this semester but at least taking that step to someone you trust would not be bad. Now how do they connect?
Well in order for me to open myself I have to be flexible. The person I’m dealing might be cool, funny, nice, means and the only to find that out is to be a little flexible. Give them some time, know more about them before you open up and start telling them about yourself, also give it time don't just yup about your life in one day but rather give it time. And for me, that's the steps i will be taking this semester. To feel comfortable for the classes I’m taking, also being able to adapt to my environment hopefully will help me learn new people. Then maybe depending on their character and behavior start opening up and telling a little bit about yourself.
In conclusion, I believe these skills will help with my communication competence because the more I practice them the better I get at communicating.
