Communication Challenges
Communication Challenges
Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., is a master storyteller and a great observer of life; Remen said, “The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.... A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.” Communication, gender and culture influence one another in many ways (Wood, 2008). People communicate either verbally, or non-verbally. Verbal and non-verbal communication occurs simultaneously and work together, complementing or contradicting each other (Harris & Sherblom 2008). This paper will focus on how people communicate, both verbal and non-verbal and the difference between the two types of communication. I’ll also discuss the challenges of communication between different genders and cultures.
People communicate either verbally, or non-verbally. Verbal communication has three functions; task ordering, process orientation, and narrative, or to tell a story. Task ordering focus on either/or choices and creates an understanding about purposes and processes. Process orientation, which is how we say something. Narrative is the last function of verbal communication, and this involves how we talk about something, and how we feel towards it. Narrative involves both myth and reality (Harris & Sherblom, 2008).
Non-verbal communication is the process of communicating without using words. Some types of non-verbal communication include: Facial display, eye contact, paralanguage, silence, and body language (Harris & Sherblom, 2008). Facial display can tell a person a lot about how you are feeling, for instance, if you are interested in the conversation, or not. Your facial expression can also show if you are confused, angry, happy or sad. When someone is smiling, we usually equate this with being happy. Eye contact is another form of non-verbal communication. In the United States, we
Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., is a master storyteller and a great observer of life; Remen said, “The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.... A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.” Communication, gender and culture influence one another in many ways (Wood, 2008). People communicate either verbally, or non-verbally. Verbal and non-verbal communication occurs simultaneously and work together, complementing or contradicting each other (Harris & Sherblom 2008). This paper will focus on how people communicate, both verbal and non-verbal and the difference between the two types of communication. I’ll also discuss the challenges of communication between different genders and cultures.
People communicate either verbally, or non-verbally. Verbal communication has three functions; task ordering, process orientation, and narrative, or to tell a story. Task ordering focus on either/or choices and creates an understanding about purposes and processes. Process orientation, which is how we say something. Narrative is the last function of verbal communication, and this involves how we talk about something, and how we feel towards it. Narrative involves both myth and reality (Harris & Sherblom, 2008).
Non-verbal communication is the process of communicating without using words. Some types of non-verbal communication include: Facial display, eye contact, paralanguage, silence, and body language (Harris & Sherblom, 2008). Facial display can tell a person a lot about how you are feeling, for instance, if you are interested in the conversation, or not. Your facial expression can also show if you are confused, angry, happy or sad. When someone is smiling, we usually equate this with being happy. Eye contact is another form of non-verbal communication. In the United States, we
References: Axner, M. & DuPraw, M. (1997). Working on Common Cross-Cultural Communication Challenges, Retrieved October 19, 2009, from http://www.pbs.org/crossbult.html Bohl, D. (2009). Male-Female Communication Challenges. Retrieved October 19, 2009, from http://www.slowdownfast.com Harris, J. & Sherblom, J. (2008). Small Group and Team Communication, [University of Phoenix Fourth Edition, e-text, Chapter 6: Verbal and Nonverbal Communication]. Allyn & Beacon, Retrieved October 18, 2009, from University of Phoenix, SOC110 – Teamwork, Collaboration and Conflict Resolution Web site. Wood, J. (2008). Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender and Culture (8th Edition). Belmont, CA: Thompson/Wadsworth Publishers.