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Overcoming Communication Blocks

The author reflects on their communication challenges, specifically preoccupation and defensiveness, which hinder meaningful conversations. They plan to implement strategies from Dr. Alan Zimmerman's article to improve their focus and receptiveness during interactions. By addressing these blocks, the author aims to enhance their communication skills in both personal and professional settings.

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waylonstc
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4 views2 pages

Overcoming Communication Blocks

The author reflects on their communication challenges, specifically preoccupation and defensiveness, which hinder meaningful conversations. They plan to implement strategies from Dr. Alan Zimmerman's article to improve their focus and receptiveness during interactions. By addressing these blocks, the author aims to enhance their communication skills in both personal and professional settings.

Uploaded by

waylonstc
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Reflection on Communication Blocks

Communication is a skill I continually work on improving, and after reading Dr. Alan

Zimmerman's article on communication blocks, I identified a few that I struggle with:

preoccupation and defensiveness. These roadblocks often create barriers in my conversations,

leading to misunderstandings or missed opportunities to connect meaningfully with others. I

believe that by recognizing these issues and developing strategies to address them, I can

become a more effective communicator.

Preoccupation is a significant challenge for me, particularly in situations where my

mind is divided between multiple tasks. For instance, during a recent conversation with a

colleague about a project update, I found myself distracted by an email notification that

popped up on my phone. Although I tried to listen, I couldn't fully absorb what my colleague

was saying, which led to confusion later when I needed to follow up on details. I realize that

this preoccupation with other tasks prevents me from being present and attentive. To

overcome this, I plan to implement Zimmerman’s technique of staying focused in the

moment. Before engaging in important conversations, I will remind myself to silence

notifications, take a deep breath, and fully engage with the speaker. I will also jot down any

thoughts or concerns on paper before the conversation to clear my mind.

Another communication block I struggle with is defensiveness. I tend to become

defensive when receiving constructive criticism, which often prevents me from processing

the feedback effectively. For example, when a supervisor pointed out areas for improvement

in my work, I immediately started to explain why I had made certain decisions instead of

simply listening to their perspective. This defensiveness can damage communication because

it shifts the conversation away from the core issue. To address this, I plan to follow

Zimmerman’s advice of pausing before responding. I will try to focus on understanding the

feedback rather than defending myself. By adopting a more open mindset and using phrases
like, "Thank you for the feedback, could you explain more about this?" I hope to create a

more constructive dialogue.

In conclusion, by acknowledging these communication blocks—preoccupation and

defensiveness—I can work on becoming more present and receptive in my interactions. My

plan is to stay focused on the conversation at hand and approach feedback with an open mind.

These changes will help me communicate more effectively both in my personal and

professional life.

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