competent communication

The person I feel who demonstrates effective communication is a psychiatrist that I have known for 6 years.  We work together in a community mental health program.   The reason I believe this Dr. displays excellent communication is because she thoroughly explains herself when discussing symptoms or behaviors related to mental health.   She also thoroughly explains medications used for treating those mental health symptoms.  Though discussion, the Dr. has shared with me her desire to teach others information and that her primary goal is to help people in any way she can.  Not only does she share information but she is open to others opinions and supports a team approach to treatment.   There are other Dr.’s in the program I work for, who I feel carry a certain ideal of supremacy, arrogance, and entitlement.   I find her to be the exact opposite and in fact she is very flexible and open minded.  O’Hair and Wiemann (2009) declare, communication is appropriate when it meets the expectations of the communication partner.   It is evident that the Dr. meets the needs of those she is communicating with.    I feel that the Dr.’s approach to communication would also be useful in the early childhood field.   Educators need to be open and flexible especially when communicating and collaborating with diverse families.  It is also important to show respect to colleagues and accepting of their opinions as well.

 O’Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2009). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s.