Midterm Reflection

In this human communication class, I have learned a lot about communication and how to

improve my communication skills. The concept that stuck with me the most was the nonverbal

communication chapter. This chapter discussed the six characteristics, the multiple functions,

the ten channels, how to improve your nonverbal communication skills, and how sex and

culture are also contributing factors. Nonverbal communication sometimes conveys more

information than verbal information. These nonverbal communication channels such as facial

display, eye behavior, touch behavior, vocal behavior, use of space, physical appearance, use of

time, give more information about your internal feelings. Without communication contexts, this

can lead to miscommunications and misinterpretations. As stated in the textbook, “talking on

the telephone and sending email, we don’t have access to many nonverbal cues as we do in

face-to-face conversation.” Situations like this can cause miscommunication and

misconceptions occur due to the lack of nonverbal communication. In some instances, this can

be improved by using emojis to express emotions while texting. Nonverbal communication is

communication using body language, facial expressions, and gestures. This skill is important to

me because it helps me understand a person's internal feelings through queues. If my friends

are visibly upset about something I change the topic due to their nonverbal cues. Nonverbal

cues are important as I stated to have effective communication.

I recently thought about being a receptionist for a casting agency. A receptionist gets access to

an abundance of connections in the agency. The textbook states, “The relational maintenance

behavior theory is specific behaviors that are used to maintain relationships.” Social networks

are the basic premise of being a receptionist. When you answer calls and check-in guests you
naturally build a professional relationship with them. Being open about specific things with the

guest gains trust. Gaining trust builds a great foundation for any relationship. Assuring the guest

that they will deliver the message to the casting directors. For example, when a manager calls

to book an audition, the receptionist should make assurances to pass on the message. Greeting

your guest with a positive uplifting tone will be useful for this job. Being a receptionist, you also

must pay attention to guest verbal and nonverbal cues. Competent communicators should be

able to adapt to different verbal and nonverbal cues, be self-aware, empathetic, ethical, and

have a cognitive complex. High self-monitors pay close attention to the way people act, look,

sound, and how they fit in a social setting. If someone is frustrated, you should try to calm

them. Being self-aware is a great contributing skill to have. Having empathy is a superior quality

to have as a receptionist. If someone is having a difficult day you must be able to understand

other people's thoughts and feelings. Empathy also ties in with having a cognitive complex,

meaning having the ability to understand multiple different situations without jumping to

conclusions. One of the most important is having ethical standards. Having good judgment is an

important part of being a receptionist.

I plan to use different models of communication to improve my communication in my

personal and professional life. The interaction model takes engaging into account. For example,

when I am talking to my friends, I notice a change in mood, I will change the topic to get more

engagement. The interactional and transactional models work well together and help develop

better communication skills. Imagine talking to someone that is not interested in what you are

talking about, and they have no feedback, which would become a one-sided conversation.

When two people are engaging in a conversation they both use facial expressions to constitute
feedback on the conversation. In my profession, I must use the transnational model while I am

acting. Using those facial expressions will add to my professionalism. I can overcome the

difficulty of having conversations with my future directors, by using these models.