Communication is not only about the way people speak but the way they interact, attract and form relationship with the others. I feel that effective communicators have their own ways to assert themselves and lead the others' interaction. My team leader in a programming project last semester is that kind of person. At first, I found a language and nationality barrier between my two other teammates and me which made me worried. Then, I met the leader outside the class, by chance, and surprisingly he impressed me by a pleasant, opened smile as in a Vietnamese verse: "A smile like the autumn's sunlight." I began to perceive him positively, and after that our group cooperated very well. At the end of the project, while I wanted to give everyone a praise for the good work but still did not know how to say, he sent us an email to express his appreciation to our cooperation. We formed a good relation till now. The lesson I learned to overcome barriers is to have an opened attitude and think as simple as possible. Anyway, I still wish I had a magical smile as his.
Having an active and attractive interaction is not simple for me. I belong to the type of shy and silent people. While my friends are skating in West Coast Park, I enjoy being home alone writing poems or walking along a dreaming street. Because I talk too little, some people feel me not interesting or friendly. However, I think communication is not about talkativeness. Nevertheless, when interacting in a foreign language, the habit of keeping silent limits the chance of demonstrating my ideas, practicing the vocabulary and sometimes makes people misunderstand me. I find it difficult to transmit my ideas and persuade the others in the group meetings as well as to raise questions in the lectures. I do not intend to change my characteristic, it's like faked, but I have to learn effective communication: when to say, what to say and how to say; otherwise I will be left behind in the university and future life.
Long time ago, my friend shared to me an old Africa proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Professional, at least effective, communication is a beautiful and decisive art that anyone who wish to "go far" have to learn.
I want to go far, as far as possible.
