Improving Professional Communication Style

I consider myself to be a relatively good communicator. However, after going through
this course, I have learnt that there are still many aspects of my communication that I can
improve to make it more professional. In particular, I learnt to take civility in communication
more seriously. Even though I usually use civil language when communicating with my
colleagues, there are times when I lose control and start using language that is not civil.

Some aspects of my communication that I previously thought were okay but I now
consider to be uncivil include swearing, use of insulting words, and use of polarizing
language. I swear a lot when I am angry. Even though swearing has been found to help
people to better express their feelings, I now realize that it is not civil and makes people
uncomfortable. Additionally, when I feel that I have been treated unfairly by someone, I
sometimes use insulting words to describe them when they around. I also use a lot of
polarizing language. I often use exaggerated and generalized statements which some people
might find offensive.

To become a more civil communicator, I have learnt to avoid making hasty responses
especially when I am angry. In almost all cases that I have used uncivil language, I have
usually been angry. Instead of succumbing to the urge of responding right away when
someone makes a statement that angers me or one that I disagree with, I have learnt to take
some time before saying anything. Taking time will allow the anger to dissipate. It will also
allow me to craft a response that is thoughtful and respectful. Apart from allowing one to
make thoughtful responses, taking time will also give me significant amount of self-control.
Such self-control will help me to avoid using swear words or make overly generalized
statements that may be offensive.