Journals

Professional Portfolio SOWK14005 Assessment 3Reflexive Practice Week 6

Assertive Communication

Assertive communication relies upon the use of both verbal and nonverbal skills. With only 30-40% of what is communicated conversationally being verbal (Condon and Yousef, 1975 cited in Robinson 2012).  Assertive communication requires the use of nonverbal communicators such as;

•  Eye contact: demonstrates interest, shows sincerity (Worklife Matters 2011)
• Body posture: congruent body language will improve the significance of the message (Worklife Matters 2011)
• Gestures: appropriate gestures help to add emphasis (Worklife Matters 2011)

As explained by Robinson (2012, p 5), meanings that are interpreted from nonverbal behaviours are culturally conditioned. With these cultural differences in nonverbal behaviour, contributing to possible failures in intercultural communication (Robinson 2012). Different cultures place different meanings to aspects of communication and has its own rules about proper behaviour, whether eye contact is maintained during communication, whether one says what one means or talks around the issue; how close people stand together whilst in conversation, all these are a few examples of differences in behaviour that differ between cultures (Ting-Toomey n.d. cited in Conflict Research Consortium 1998).

Whilst on field placement it was explained to myself that the issues surround culture and communication diversity are so vast that the best approach was to be respectful and ask the other person what they were comfortable with.

References

Conflict Research Consortium 1998, Cultural Barriers to Effective Communication, University of Colorado, viewed online 16^th March 2012, http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/problem/cultrbar.htm