Emotional intelligence and the ability to communicate effectively are two of the most important skills in the current labor market. The Communication Competence Scale consists of 22 self-assessment questions that are meant to evaluate how well one can enact appropriate and constructive messages in any communication setting. After completing the questionnaire, I discovered that I am usually adept at analyzing the content of a conversation and its participants. I am aware of when the topic should be changed and pay attention to how others react to my words. I enjoy studying people and learning about their interests, beliefs, and hobbies. After the conversation ends, I think about my performance and how it can be improved. However, I rarely prepare for discussions beforehand—I generally do not consider what people might be talking about or how exactly I will contribute. This Communication Competence Scale revealed that I need to put more forethought into my communication in the negotiation process.
The ability to analyze the impact of my words and actions on other people during a conversation aligns with the concept of self-awareness discussed in the text. It is one of the four areas of emotional intelligence identified by Daniel Goleman, along with self-management, empathy, and social skills (ORGL 370: Conflict and negotiation: Week 4). Although I initially believed Goleman was referring to the skills that are being utilized during communication, I now understand that they need to be practiced before and after it as well. In conclusion, the Communication Competence Scale is a helpful diagnostic tool that contributed to my understanding of emotional intelligence, and that will doubtlessly help me accurately assess situations and other people in the future.
References
ORGL 370: Conflict and negotiation: Week 4 [PDF].