communication competence defined
As defined, by Adler and Proctor, "There is no ideal way to communicate. Competence is situational. Competence is relational." These definitions put emphasis on the idea that communication is not an easy thing; but the communication process can be mastered, "Competence can be learned" (25-26).
As the process of communication is unavoidably connected to obstacles and difficulties, the great communicators, the ones who succeeded in reaching their goals when communicating, become more interesting for us as models of effective communicator. We can watch them, analyze their behavior and finally derive some regularities and patterns they share in common. Since competence can be learned, we may use our observations to improve our own communication skills.
Characteristics of Competent Communicators
Simba from Lion King (surprisingly!) possesses these communication skills. This is well disguised by his adventures, but a closer look makes it obvious. There some critical skills which are a core part of any successful communicator.
1. A wide range of behaviors. This wide range is absolutely necessary as it offer a large repertoire of actions, to pick one which can be the most effective in this particular situation.
Simba is actively using a wide range of behaviors. He may be a furious warrior, and a loving friend the next moment.
The following video shows how quickly Simba was able to switch from fight to peace.
2. Ability to choose the most appropriate behavior.
When tricked by his power-hungry uncle Scar, Simba makes the best choice (in his opinion) - to follow his uncle's directions and run. When he meets Timon and Pumbaa and they offer to join their 'hakuna matata' club, he chooses to do so, as for him this is the best option at this moment. All these events are examples of communication skills.
3. Skill at performing the behavior.
Simba also possess this quality - he performs great in whatever he had chosen. When he makes his choice, he tries his best, and succeeds. He masters 'hakuna matata', and later he masters the art of being a king as well . Simba is highly empathic - when Pumbaa is attacked by Nala, Simba saves him by rescuing his own life. Finally, Simba demonstrates a lot of commitment in his communication. This is his greatest quality as an effective communicator.
4. Cognitive complexity. As defined by Adler & Proctor, this is "an ability to construct a variety of frameworks for viewing the issue"(29). In other words, this skill allows to analyze a problem from different perspective, ti get an insight from another party and make more objective and weighted decision.
When tricked by his power-hungry uncle Scar, Simba makes the best choice (in his opinion) - to follow his uncle's directions and run. When he meets Timon and Pumbaa and they offer to join their 'hakuna matata' club, he chooses to do so, as for him this is the best option at this moment. All these events are examples of communication skills.
3. Skill at performing the behavior.
Simba also possess this quality - he performs great in whatever he had chosen. When he makes his choice, he tries his best, and succeeds. He masters 'hakuna matata', and later he masters the art of being a king as well . Simba is highly empathic - when Pumbaa is attacked by Nala, Simba saves him by rescuing his own life. Finally, Simba demonstrates a lot of commitment in his communication. This is his greatest quality as an effective communicator.
4. Cognitive complexity. As defined by Adler & Proctor, this is "an ability to construct a variety of frameworks for viewing the issue"(29). In other words, this skill allows to analyze a problem from different perspective, ti get an insight from another party and make more objective and weighted decision.
Another example of a good communicator is Scar. He realizes all his plans due his intellectual power.
Zazu: As the king's brother *you* should have been first in line.
Mufasa: Well I was first in line. Until the little hairball was born.
Mufasa:That hairball is my son and you're future king.
Scar: [Begins walking away] Oh, I shall practice my curtsey
Mufasa: Don't turn your back on me, Scar.
Scar: Oh, no Mufasa. Perhaps *you* shouldn't turn your back on *me*
Mufasa: [Roars angrily and runs in front of Scar's path] Is that a challenge?
Scar: Temper temper. I wouldn't dream of challenging you.
Zazu: Pity. Why not?
Scar: Well as far as brains go I got the lion's share but when it comes to brute strength. I'm afraid I'm at the shallow end of the gene pool (The Lion King. Imdb).
This is a great example of a skill at performing the behavior, where behavior is being smart. Yes, Scar doesn't need a brutal strength - his tricky and ruthless mind is much more dangerous weapon, than any physical strenght.
However, he fixes on one role - Gray Cardinal and then Power-Hungry Dictator, and this is an explanation, why Scar finally loses - he is not able perform in a wide range of behaviors like Simba, and he doesn't have this cognitive complexity skill. Simba is much more adaptive; Scar might trick him short-term as Simba was a trusting soul, but Simba's better skills give him great strategic advantage and allows him to win the war finally.
Competence In Intercultural Communication
Both Simba and Scar are competent in intercultural and interracial communication with the other species. Simba is great in dealing with Timon and Pumbaa. Scar rules the Hyenas - all of them.
Interestingly, Mufasa has only one successful personal communication with other creature from another species - Zazu, though as a successful king he was supposed to deal with all other animals. We can suggest, Mufasa might have probably the worst personal intercultural communication skill when compared with Simba and Scar.
Zazu: Well, as slippery as your mind is, as the King's brother *you* should've been first in line.
Scar: [Scar threatens to bite, Zazu retreats toward Mufasa] Well, I was first in line, until the little hairball was born.
Mufasa:That hairball is my son. And *your* future king.
Scar: Oh, I shall have to practice my curtsy (The Lion King. Imdb).
Noticeably, Mufasa totally ignores this incident. It probably shows he lacks some empathy as well.
Scar: [Scar threatens to bite, Zazu retreats toward Mufasa] Well, I was first in line, until the little hairball was born.
Mufasa:That hairball is my son. And *your* future king.
Scar: Oh, I shall have to practice my curtsy (The Lion King. Imdb).
Noticeably, Mufasa totally ignores this incident. It probably shows he lacks some empathy as well.
The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and communication.
"A self-fulfilling prophecy can be either self-imposed or imposed by one person on another, so the expectations and behaviors of one person govern another's actions " (Adler & Proctor. 57).
It includes four stages:
1. Holding an expectations
2. Behaving in accordance with expectations
3. The expectation coming to pass
4. Reinforcing the original expectations (Adler & Proctor 57).
In this video the following concepts will be illustrated: Cognitive complexity and self-fulfilling prophecy.
We see how Simba tells Rafiki that Mufasa is dead. Rafiki tells Simba that he is wrong and that Mufasa lives in him. Simba has a hard time accepting this information, but finally his cognitive complexity allows to accept this point of view and adapt his self-concept according to this changing and challenging perspective.
Mufasa told Simba that he destined to be a king and explained in details who Simba is - one of many great kings. The guilt, imposed later by Scar, blockes and distort Simba's self-perception, but wise Rafiki unblocks it and self-fullfilling prophecy imposed by Mufasa on Simba re-activates and changes all Simba's life.
At the moment when Simba finishes his conversation with Rafiki,the second stage of self-fulfilling prophecy - behaving in accordance with expectations (like a king)- starts for Simba and continues until he actually becomes a king and then the next stage begins.
It includes four stages:
1. Holding an expectations
2. Behaving in accordance with expectations
3. The expectation coming to pass
4. Reinforcing the original expectations (Adler & Proctor 57).
In this video the following concepts will be illustrated: Cognitive complexity and self-fulfilling prophecy.
We see how Simba tells Rafiki that Mufasa is dead. Rafiki tells Simba that he is wrong and that Mufasa lives in him. Simba has a hard time accepting this information, but finally his cognitive complexity allows to accept this point of view and adapt his self-concept according to this changing and challenging perspective.
Mufasa told Simba that he destined to be a king and explained in details who Simba is - one of many great kings. The guilt, imposed later by Scar, blockes and distort Simba's self-perception, but wise Rafiki unblocks it and self-fullfilling prophecy imposed by Mufasa on Simba re-activates and changes all Simba's life.
At the moment when Simba finishes his conversation with Rafiki,the second stage of self-fulfilling prophecy - behaving in accordance with expectations (like a king)- starts for Simba and continues until he actually becomes a king and then the next stage begins.