Zachary Cloward

COMM 1010

Lizzie Dalton

Fall semester 2022

Communication Skills Journal

I have created this journal to help you, the reader, understand what I have done and

learned this semester in Communications. I have grown a lot over this semester, and I want to

show some of what I have learned in this class.

As you read through this journal you will see some reflections that I have written. We

start with how I view myself as communicator, then move onto what I learned about both verbal

and nonverbal communication. After that we move onto listening, followed by interpersonal

communication. Finally we will end with a summary of all that I learned.

ePortfolio Reflection: Perception & Self

I think the thing that has influenced the way I look at others the most has to be my family.

I was raised to believe that serving others and working hard are what matters. I think that one

thing I need to work on is attribution errors. Almost every day I realize that I have given

different people in my life my attributes rather than knowing how they would act. I also realize

that I have a tendency to blame others for things that could easily be looked at as both parties at

fault.
 I think that my family and the heavy emphasis in the media that men with emotions are

weak has affected my self-image the most throughout my life. I grew up believing that showing

emotion was weak and that I needed to be strong for everyone else. I want to improve my lack of

self-esteem. For years I looked down on myself for what seemed like no reason. I am still not

100 percent sure why I did not like myself.

ePortfolio: Verbal and Nonverbal Messages

To answer this question, you need to have the understanding that ethical communication

is slightly different to everyone. To me it is better to be honest in as much communication as

possible. I try to avoid lying when I know it will hurt relationships more than help. If I am going

to joke with someone with a sarcastic remark, often I will tell the truth and then joke or heavily

emphasize the sarcasm in my tone of voice. When it comes to keeping secrets, I will tell others

that it is not something they need to know. 

I think that the best way to adapt your verbal and nonverbal communication to avoid

unethical communication is to focus on speaking the truth. That said, you also want to be kind in

speech. You do not need to be rude to tell the truth. 

I believe that there are times when two people can be in the exact same situation and both

cross the line, but one be forgiven and the other not. There are many ways that would happen

based on skin color, mental state, and gender.

ePortfolio Reflection: Listening Skills 

I believe that I need some work when it comes to listening. I try my best to just listen and

not try to guess what the person I am talking to is going to say, but often end up finishing their

sentences. I also have a habit of looking away, I fidget a ton and occasionally look at my phone

or watch. I have tried to be better in recent years and certainly understand the importance of
positive back-channel cues such as eye contact, leaning in and giving small responses showing I

understand what the person is saying. 

I have always tried to be empathetic when listening to others. It has helped me in my

relationships to be understanding of what the other person is going through. It is not always easy

as my first instinct is to try to find solutions. I think I can improve by shutting my mouth and

trying to actively listen a little more. I sometimes struggle to listen and try to find a solution

when I should just let the other person vent. I have a friend who’s family asks the other person if

they want solutions or to just vent and I have thought about implementing that into my life.

ePortfolio Reflection: Interpersonal Communication

The relationship I am going to reflect on is romantic relationships. I have only had a few

relationships, two to be exact and I feel that I had a major part in them falling apart. I want to

reflect on what I can do better and what I can change to be better.

The theory that fits most to romantic relationships is the social penetration theory.  If you

open up too fast, you can end up in a failed relationship and fall out of balance. You also may

want to keep things hidden for a while before getting too serious. I think keeping yourself

balanced in what you reveal is super important, as well as making sure you are ready to share the

deeper parts of yourself. 

Much of the conflict that has happened in my relationships has been to a degree

nonexistent. When I have been offended in a relationship, I have tended to just keep it to myself.

I think that that is why my last relationship ended. I think that if I had been open about how I was

feeling that things might have lasted. I think if I can learn to be open, I will be able to better

handle conflict.
 Communication in Summary

As I have gone through this class, I have learned a lot. I learned that I still have a

lot to improve on one as a communicator. I learned the impact that my family has had on my

communication. I have also started to view my family and friends in different light after

interacting with them. I see their flaws as well as mine in communication. I have grown to view

my world differently than before.

I have also learned that the biggest thing I need to work on is conflict resolution. When I

am hurt by someone, I hide how I feel to avoid conflict. I have never cared for conflict and fear

the escalation of strong emotions.