1.4.1 The Competent Communicator Makes Reasoned Choices

     Throughout your communication life and in each communication interaction you’re presented with choice points—moments when you have to make a choice as to with whom you communicate, what you say, what you don’t say, how you phrase what you want to say, and so on. Competence in communication choice-making can be viewed as a series of four interrelated characteristics.

1. The competent communication choice maker realizes that each communication  situation can be approached in different ways. For example, there are lots of ways to offer an apology; there are lots of ways to lead a group; there are lots of ways to introduce a speech.
2. The competent communication choice maker has a large arsenal of available choices. For example, the competent communicator would know the characteristics of an effective apology, the varied leadership styles, and the numerous ways in which a speech can be introduced.
3. Because each communication situation is different from every other communication situation, the competent choice maker can effectively evaluate the available choices based on knowledge of the research and theory in human communication and can make reasonable predictions as to what choices will work and what choices won’t. For example, the competent communicator would have the knowledge of human communication that would enable him or her to evaluate the type of apology, the style of leadership, or the specific introduction that would work best for this unique communication situation.
4. The competent communication choice maker has the interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills for executing these choices effectively.

     This course and this text aim to enlarge your communication options; regardless of your present level of competence, you should emerge from this course with a greater number of communication options under your control. In addition, this course and text provide you with the background—the theory and research bearing on these choices—to help you make more effective communication predictions and decisions. And this course and text will provide you with the skills enabling you to communicate your choices effectively.