Competent Communication

As I consider the people in my life who have been excellent communicators, one of my undergraduate professors stands out to me as being exceptionally effective.  When it came to expressing messages, the information she shared was conveyed simply and clearly. Her messages were easily understood and students were able to fulfill the tasks that she assigned with success. I feel that several of the key strategies she used to communicate effectively were the use of clear and audible diction, concise sentences, logical arguments, and a fluidity to her approach of expressing messages. She demonstrated appropriate and calm body language, displaying good posture, open hands, and an easy smile. She carefully read her audience to know how her messages were being received, and made changes to her approach as needed. This represented a willingness to adapt to different situations, something I feel an effective communicator must be able to do. 
In the classroom, she created an environment in which communication was seen as a two-way street, modeling effective listening as well as speaking. She was empathetic towards the messages of others, asking clarifying questions and restating their messages to ensure she understood as she attempted to ensure she was accurately receiving the messages of others. She seemed to keep an open mind when communicating with us, valuing the diversity of opinions and preferences within the group. As I continue to grow as an early childhood professional and enhance my communication competence, I will seek to model my communication off of the skills this particular professor displayed.