Considering my family structure, colleagues, community, and neighborhood, I find myself adjusting to the situation. With family and friends, I can be who I am even with my flaws. When communicating with colleagues and people from the workplace, I tend to be more professional in my delivery. Not that I am two different people, but in the workplace, I want to be professional and mindful of what I say and how my body language contributes to my message.
While being careing of what you say and how you say it, people may still receive a different message that the one you intended. I had a conversation with one of the custodians, and a colleague. I didn't think anythng about the conversation, but the custodian went home and told his girl friend that I was asking her personal business. It was not I who asked but my colleague. I don't know if my body language or facial expressions gave a different response, but my mouth did not. One strategy that I will use from that encounter, is to avoid sitting in areas where people discuss their personal business.
When I conversate with my family, I just say what I feel without any reservations. On a job the situation is different. I must be mindful because children, families, and other professionals may be impacted by what and how I express myself. I have some diversity in my family in regards to culture, race, religion, political affiliations and sexual orientations. Some strategies I could use would include, better listening skills, avoid stereotyping, and working on any perceptual barriers that I might have that will prevent me from being an effective communicator with my diverse family and working environment.
