Effective Communication

     My mom exhibited great communication skills.  She would ask a probing question and then wait for a response.  She would never interrupt the speaker. I can remember telling her that I wanted to quit school in the 9^th grade.  She smiled and said that it was alright with her.  I then looked puzzled because she did not respond the way I expected her to.  Before I would quit she would have to have a loooong talk with me.  I was afraid of the unknown of this conversation.  She asked me why I wanted to quit school.  I responded that I was tired of waking up rushing to catch the bus and that school is boring.  I told her my grades were okay and I could just take and pass the GED.  She listened without judgment.  I continued with my nonsense, she listened.  Toward the end of the conversation, she asked me what kind of job I was going to get and how was I going to get there. I had not thought past the moment.  She provoked me to think about my future.  During the conversation, she communicated verbally and non-verbally.  She supplied feedback and she did not demean my thoughts.  After talking with her, I decided that finishing school would be the best choice for me.

   I have learned from my mom and yes I am attempting to become an effective communicator like she was.  She was effective because she listened, kept eye contact and did not appear to be judgmental.  As I became older, I would say, “Mom, I want to be just like you when I grow up!” She was a sympathetic caring listener who expects people to make the choices that would be a benefit for self.  She always made sure that any person who she spoke to would know that she cared for them.   I think she was a role model that I want to one day follow.