My job title is Manager of Assessment Communications [I'm sure they wished that had actually bolded that in the job description] and my verbal communication is best compared to a jellyfish because I’m all over the place!  When I go to my boss to give him an update on a file we’re working on, I usually have a sense of what I intend to say, usually something along the lines of:  “Institution x sent us y and it is appropriate.  I will respond saying z.”   What comes out is:  “Remember when you visited institution x?  Well they responded and I think I told you they responded already, right?  Anyway-this is the same institution that– [deep breath]– They want a response by– Well I got their response, y, and I think we should send–” and usually at this point my boss has shaken his head at least once as if to clear it, and by the end of my babblings he’s laughing.

My response is then to say “Just look it over and get back to me”, along with a vow that, as God is my witness, I will communicate better the next time he sees me.  I think by now he knows I’m full of empty promises.

My friends can attest to the fact that I jump from topic to topic, often in mid-word, leaving my co-conversator [if that isn't a word I officially claim it] confused.  I don’t know if I get nervous or excited or what; all I know is that I communicate far better in writing, unless I’m reading something that I’ve written down previously.  Writing for me is a way to make sure I’m clear, and that there is an obvious thought pattern to what I’m about to spew.  Maybe I’ll need to start drafting my conversations!

Filed under: Introspective, Job by jummy