Communication Skills Self-Assessment

Listening Skills

You are more likely to enjoy more meaningful relationships and are less likely to misunderstand what others are communicating – you don’t just hear what is being said, but bring together the verbal and non-verbal signals to gain an accurate interpretation of other people’s views and opinions.

  • I will interrupt the speaker if I disagree with a statement they have made.
  • I offer verbal signals while listening, things like, ‘Go on… ’ or ‘Uh-huh’ to encourage the speaker to continue.
  • I try to have the last word on a subject.
  • I finish people’s sentences for them when they pause and I know what they are going to say.
  • I am often thinking of something witty to say in response while listening.
  • I make eye contact with others while listening.
  • I sit and listen with my legs and arms folded in front of me.
  • When I have something to contribute to a conversation, I’ll interrupt the speaker to make my point.
  • When communicating with others, I pay attention to non-verbal signals – body language, facial expressions, and gestures.
  • I get bored with conversations easily – most people have nothing interesting to say.
  • I nod my head and use other gestures and facial expressions to show that I’m interested in what is being said.
  • I decide whether or not to listen based on the speaker’s appearance and how they talk

 

Emotional Communication

Emotional intelligence is a measure of how well you understand and deal with your emotions and the emotions of others.

How you perceive others and how others perceive you:

  • I avoid difficult conversations and confrontations.
  • I find it difficult to make new friends.
  • In a group situation, I generally know how the members feel about each other.
  • If I’m feeling stressed I know exactly why this is.
  • I get irritated by other people’s habits but avoid telling them about it.
  • I can interpret the mood of others when I communicate with them.
  • I’m frequently self-critical of my mistakes.
  • I am confident about my existing skills and abilities and willing to learn new ones.
  • I can tell when someone doesn’t understand what I’m saying.
  • I am usually a good judge of character.
  • I am content with who I am.
  • I understand and respect the views of others – even if they are different from my views.
  • *When other people become emotional around me I am most likely to feel:
    • Awkward – I would like to leave the conversation.
    • Somewhat uncomfortable – I am unsure how to react or respond.
    • Indifferent – I feel the same as in any other conversation.
    • Confident – I feel able to cope with the conversation.
    • Empathetic – I can put myself into the other person’s shoes and see their position.

 

 

Verbal Communication

Having good verbal communication means that you can express yourself well to others – explaining your ideas and opinions in such a way that they are usually understood by others.

Compared to other people my vocal skills are:

  • I express my ideas clearly.
  • I speak fluently.
  • I vary the tone, volume and pitch of my voice appropriately in conversations.
  • People understand what I say.
  • I use jargon and technical language whenever possible.
  • I can restate the essence of what others have said in fewer and different words. I can accurately reflect the content.
  • I repeat everything I have just heard back to the speaker.
  • I like to use uncommon words when talking to others – to show how intelligent I am.
  • I’m quick to offer advice to people’s problems.
  • I am generally nervous about speaking to other people.
  • *Are the following statements true or false?
  • My friends and family tell me I talk a lot.
  • I have to repeat myself often because people don’t understand my message the first time around.
  • I have difficulty putting my thoughts into words.
  • Three words to describe how you are most likely to feel when introducing yourself to new people in a formal or semi-formal setting (such as at meeting at work, at school, or when joining a group).
    • Awkward
    • Excited
    • Nervous
    • Anxious
    • Shy
    • Confident
    • Uncomfortable
    • Stressed
    • Pleased
    • Bored
    • Interested

 

Communicating in Groups

Although how you behave in a groups situation is linked to your self-esteem, your ability to listen and process information and speak effectively are also important – you may find it useful to watch others the next time you are in a group situation for ideas on how you can improve your communication skills further.

  • I avoid giving other people eye contact in group situations.
  • In a meeting or classroom situation, I prefer to sit at the back.
  • I make new friends easily and generally get on well with people I have just met.
  • I participate.
  • I can dominate a group and tend to do the majority of the talking.
  • I feel like I’m an outsider.
  • I feel comfortable and confident.
  • I am nervous about having to answer a question in front of a group of people.
  • I find it easy to fit into most group situations.
  • I do not usually say much when in a group of people.
  • I worry about what to say when talking to others.
  • I avoid group situations whenever possible

 

How to Apply Your Communication Skills Self-Assessment

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Summary of Communication Skills Self-Assessment

Doing a Communication Skills Self-Assessment is the first step in improving your communication.