The purpose of this survey is to determine your vulnerability to being a source of communication failure.

Answer the questions as honestly as possible.

Respond as how you see yourself today as a communicator.

Indicate how frequently you engage in the following behaviors when communicating with another person or other people.

Use this scale to describe your behavior.

• 4 – I constantly do this
• 3 – I frequently do this
• 2 – I occasionally do this
• 1 – I infrequently do this
• 0 – I at no time do this

____ 1. When I share something with my friends, I am open and honest about what I am sharing. ____ 2. I think before I speak because I am aware of how words may not mean the same thing to other people that they do to me. ____ 3. I understand that sometimes the message the other person is sending may not be the same one I am receiving. ____ 4. Before I communicate, verbally or nonverbally, I fully understand who my receiver is and how my message might affect his or her reception of my message. ____ 5. As I communicate to someone, I am looking for cues that my message is being perceived as I intend it to be received. ____ 6. I make my messages as precise and to the point as possible. ____ 7. I use jargon with those who may not understand it. ____ 8. I deliberately avoid the use of slang words and idioms with those who may be offended by them. ____ 9. I try not to use words that might cause an emotional response that may distress or confuse the receiver of my message. Name_________________________________________Period________________Date______________ Can’t We All Just Get Along? Conflict Resolution Strategies Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved. Page 2 ____ 10. I recognize that how I say something is just as important as what I say. ____ 11. I examine my communication intellect to determine what nonverbal messages I send and how well they imitate the meaning I wish to get across. ____ 12. I carefully consider the method of delivery for my message: a face-to-face meeting, over the telephone or in writing. Which would be best understood by my receiver? ____ 13. I form opinions about what others say to me based on what I hear them saying rather than what I think of them as a person. ____ 14. I make an honest effort to listen to ideas with which I don’t agree. ____ 15. I look for ways to expand my listening skills. TOTAL SCORE Analyze Survey Results Find your score on the following table. Score Explanations 50 – 60 Were you totally honest? If so, you are an exceptionally effective communicator who almost never lends himself or herself to misunderstanding. 40 – 49 You are an effective communicator who only occasionally causes communication failure. The goal of this survey is to move you up to this level. 30 – 39 You are an above average communicator with intermittent gaps. You cause some misunderstandings but less than your share. 20 – 29 Many people (at least those who are honest) fall into this category. While things could be worse, there is much room for perfection in your communication grace. The goal of this survey is to move you to a higher category. 10 – 19 You are a frequent source of communication difficulties. Work on communication exercises and consider how they impact you personally. Less Than 9 Your honesty is admirable, but it will take more than honesty to improve your communication effectiveness. Cons

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I tend not to listen to people with whom I disagree. 5 4 3 2 1 I find it difficult to fully participate in conversations where the subject is not of interest to me. 5 4 3 2 1 When I feel I know the message the speaker is trying to get across, I stop listening. 5 4 3 2 1 I find it easy to listen to others’ views even if they are different from my own. 1 2 3 4 5 I ask people to clarify things I don’t understand. 1 2 3 4 5 I usually form a rebuttal in my head while the other person is talking. 5 4 3 2 1 I often look as if I’m listening when, in fact, I’m not. 5 4 3 2 1 I sometimes daydream when I should be listening. 5 4 3 2 1 If I’m not listening, I’ll tell the person. 1 2 3 4 5 I listen for the main ideas, not the details. 1 2 3 4 5 I recognize that words mean different things to different people. 1 2 3 4 5 If I don’t like or believe the other person, I block out what is being said. 5 4 3 2 1 I look at the person who is talking. 1 2 3 4 5 I concentrate on the other person’s message rather than on physical appearance. 1 2 3 4 5 I know which words and phrases cause me to react emotionally. 1 2 3 4 5 I preplan my communications with others to accomplish my goals. 1 2 3 4 5 I anticipate others’ reactions to my communications. 1 2 3 4 5 I take into consideration how others want to receive information. 1 2 3 4 5 I try to determine the mood of the other person (angry, frustrated, etc.) when communicating with them. 1 2 3 4 5 I feel that I am able to communicate my ideas to others so they understand my meaning. 1 2 3 4 5 I often feel others should have known my meaning. 5 4 3 2 1 I am able to receive negative feedback without getting defensive 1 2 3 4 5 I practice my listening skills on a regular basis. 1 2 3 4 5 I find it hard to concentrate on what someone is saying when there are noise distractions. 5 4 3 2 1 I often judge the content of other’s messages when they’re talking. 5 4 3 2 1 I restate information given to me to make sure I understand correctly. 1 2 3 4 5 I let others know that I recognize the emotional level they are at when speaking to them. 1 2 3 4 5