Communication and Confidence

Key Concepts

• Communication Competency:

  • Defined as how confident you feel in a particular communication setting, context, and situation.
  • It's the impression that communicative behavior is both appropriate and effective in a given situation.
  • Often translates to confidence in communication scenarios.

• Communication Apprehension:

  • Refers to anxiety surrounding communication.
  • Fear or anxiety associated with real or anticipated communication with others.

Types of Communication Competency

1. Trait-like Communication Competency:

   • Feeling anxious in all kinds of speaking situations.

2. Audience-based Communication Competency:

   • Anxiety around specific people or audiences (e.g., having a crush on someone).

3. Situational Communication Competency:

   • Short-lived anxiety during a particular situation (e.g., job interviews).

4. Context-based Communication Competency:

   • Anxiety in specific settings or contexts (e.g., public speaking in general).

Developing a Communication Improvement Plan

• Identify the Problem: Understand why you get nervous or feel less competent in certain communication situations.

• State Specific Goals:

  • Aim for precise objectives rather than vague goals.
  • Example: "I want to be more confident in job interviews."

• Outline Specific Procedures:

  • Detail strategies to achieve the specified goals.

• Devise a Method for Measuring Progress:

  • Regularly check progress and adjust strategies as needed.

Additional Insights

• Communication is a learned behavior; skills can be improved with practice.
• Having clear goals and understanding the steps needed is essential for improvement.
• Regular measurement of progress helps in continued improvement.
• Feeling competent in communication situations generally increases confidence.