Before you say anything, it IS important to have self-awareness and NO it is not egoism or only an obsessive emphasis on me, me, me. If you aren’t aware then you’ll miss the clues telling you the how and what you do/say has on those observing/interacting with you. This is true even when all you are doing is standing there; Reason: because you speak with your expressions, with your body, with every fiber of your being… We all are always ‘speaking’!
I think the point is that we may be aware of what others are saying or doing, at least the affect it has on you. Change to you as the speaker and if this means you are the leader/point person on the project then your what and If you are the ‘speaker’ provides you important information because you must remain alert to how others are reacting to what you are saying/ Major question – do you listen to you? Are you aware of how you would react to what you said? I know I harp on the fact that it is the message that is important, not the messenger. Caveat. If HOW you present the message produces a mixed message for others, or if too little information is presented, then yes – the messenger becomes critical.
One of the most affective ways I’ve discovered if I’m communicating what I am intending is to ask questions. Have the other person(s) rephrase what I’ve said. This way miscommunications, incorrect understandings can be resolved before we’ve begin (the project, the task, etc.) But after, I try and learn how I can be more effective as a communicator. I believe one can always become more effective. When we present ourselves, we are presenting our message and when we present our message, we present ourselves.
And everything that I just wrote, even if slightly confusing, is summed up in the word – awareness. Without awareness we can’t judge ourselves – how effective a communicator we are – or others’ understanding of the message, what’s been said and what’s implied, etc. Am I only stating the obvious? Perhaps, ,,, but, awareness does have a place in how you do/say what you do.
