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How Well Do You Communicate?

Effective communicators are conscious of their words, thoughts, intentions, and actions. As the model on the right indicates, effective communicators keep their focus on supporting and developing the relationship, while taking responsibility for their actions, keeping an open perspective, and developing clear intentions for their communication. And all of this happens within an arena of authenticity. This checklist will help you identify your communication strengths and development opportunities.

Instructions:

Read each statement on both the left and the right side of the chart and rate as follows:

= Statement on the left is true all or mostly all of the time for me
= Statement on the left is more true than the statement on the right for me
= Statement on the left and statement on the right are equally true for me
= Statement on the right is more true than statement on the left for me
= Statement on the right is true all or mostly all of the time for me

Review your score. Check back every 90 days to track your progress.

Solicit support, such as a mentor or coach, to help you address challenging items.

Your Name:
Your Email Address:

I easily suspend my own judgment, ideas, and concerns when listening to others.


1	2	3	4	5

My main concern when discussing hot issues is that people hear me and agree with me.

I am always clear about what I need to get from a conversation before I begin speaking.


1	2	3	4	5

I may not know my final point when speaking with others, but I eventually get there.

If you haven’t “heard” me, then I haven’t spoken clearly enough.


1	2	3	4	5

If you haven’t “heard” me, then you haven’t been listening.

I come from a place of honesty and authenticity when talking with someone.


1	2	3	4	5

I am willing to do whatever it takes to win an argument.

I am aware of my own biases and emotional reactions when speaking with others.


1	2	3	4	5

I feel emotions have nothing to do with communication.

I take full responsibility for my part in a conversation.


1	2	3	4	5

I am a great communicator – it’s everyone else who has something to learn.

I do my best to understand others’ points of view before trying to win them over to my point of view.


1	2	3	4	5

I feel that it’s best to convince first and listen second.

I am willing to listen and give credence to someone else’s ideas.


1	2	3	4	5

I feel that my ideas and my viewpoint are generally best.

I let others know when they’ve done something well or when I appreciate their efforts.


1	2	3	4	5

I only let people know when they’ve done something wrong.

I try to be explicit in what I need and expect from others.


1	2	3	4	5

I expect others to know what I need from them.

I tailor what I say to my audience.


1	2	3	4	5

My message is the same, no matter who is listening.

I realize that what specific words or terms mean to me may be different from what they mean to others.


1	2	3	4	5

I don’t understand why people sometimes misinterpret what I say.

I believe that communication is at the heart of most (if not all) issues.


1	2	3	4	5

Communication is rarely the true issue at the heart of conflict.

For more information on how to utilize today’s leadership development consulting and executive coaching for tomorrow’s leaders,
please email info@chatsworthconsulting.com or call us at 877-405-7288.

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"Your work has been highly engaging, informative and professional, and has resulted in lasting changes at CEO. Your personal style is appealing - open, direct, focused, funny - which promotes an environment where employees actively participate and learn quickly. I am really taken by your ability to control the room, to gain maximum participation from the audience, and not least of all, to connect with us through humor, anecdotes, and just your overall sense of common sense. Working with Chatsworth has really enabled us to evolve as an organization. We now have more tools and especially more confidence to do what we have to do to be an exceptional company. I really recommend Chatsworth Consulting Group highly."

Brad Dudding,
Chief Operating Officer
Center for Employment Opportunities