This week I took a three assessments related to how I communicate. The assessments evaluated my Communication Anxiety, Verbal Aggressiveness and Listening Style. I also had my cousin and my best friend evaluate me by taking the same assessments as well. The results were similar except for the Communication Anxiety category. I scored in the Moderate category and both my cousin and my friend scored me in the Mild category. The feel as though I am uneasy in some situations and confident in others. They evaluate me as being a person that does not worry about communication too much. This was surprising to me. I actually do worry about how I come off to people and how my words impact people. I felt my results were more accurately described me. I am somewhat concerned about a number of communication contexts.
Two insights I have gained this week are that you “can not judge a book by its cover” and that “people around you see you differently than you see yourself”. I think these two insights will inform my professional work and personal life a great deal. In my professional work, not judging a book by its cover will prevent me from stereotyping people and making assumptions. Realizing that people see you differently than you see yourself can make you more aware of how you communicate. Being mindful of how you communicate can be beneficial both personally and professionally.
higherlearningforkids 
Thank you for your post! I certainly agree that people can see you differently than you see yourself. I find it most interesting that even those that are closest to you really don’t know all that you feel and think, they have their own opinions of us. I think that is why communication is such a complex and essential part of working with children and families. You are also right that we should never judge a book by its cover, we should take the time to get to know people, and ask questions about feelings and opinions when appropriate.
Alycia,
Thanks for sharing your findings this week. I also found something similar about myself. I think that I am so nervous and anxious when it comes to being in front of people or communicating to a group or in public, too. My husband and my supervisor both scored me low in this area saying that I come across as effective and confident. I suppose we are always hardest on ourselves!
Amanda