HEYA YOUR ANSWER IS


While working in the service industry I learned many important aspects about communication that I consider invaluable, not only in my past positions, but in the career I seek. The communication skills that I learned help me not only learn how to get my message across, but how to do so in a way that could either escalate or deescalate a certain situation. Also it taught me to read the person I was portraying the message to, taking into account things like culture, sex, and demeanor I learned to choose words that were more fitting to each audience so that I could be not only understood but relatable and therefore could have my message accepted better. These communication skills I've acquired I will be able to use in my desired career as a SOCIAL worker, working with pregnant teens.

Years ago, before I had children, I worked in the guest service industry in several areas of Orlando, FL. Coming from a small town, I hadn't really encountered many communication conflicts. I learned quite quickly however, that I would have to be a fast learner in order to be successful in this industry. Six steps I found to be quite helpful in communication with guests, are described by Skylar Burris in an online article entitled "Six Steps Towards Effective Communication at Work," were to be clear, get to the point, be personal, listen, think before you speak and don't be overly NEGATIVE. (Burris, 2005)

To be clear is to use direct concise speech without the use of complex speech or vulgarity. As the poet William Butler Yeats once SAID, "Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people." Then get to the point. Don't waste time by getting off topic or going of on tangents, by doing this your audience may stop listening and miss the message. "Many ATTEMPTS to communicate," Wrote Robert Greenleaf, "are nullified by saying too much." Make sure in getting to the point that you don't forget to be personal. In order for your message to be accepted you must be able to empathize and relate to the listener. Listen to the person's feedback and to the true want and needs they are trying to convey to you. "As James the apostle once said, "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak." Think before you speak. Don't be too quick to spout out an answer or defend your point. Choose your words carefully taking into account the NATURE of the situation, so is not to cause misunderstandings or unnecessary arguments. Finally, don't be over negative about a situation. You must remain positive in trying to solve a problem in order to keep both parties calm and collected.