What Is Communication?

When I thought about someone who demonstrates competent communication, the first person that came to mind is my mentor, former professor and good friend Mrs. Julie Parker. I have been with Mrs. Julie since I was a freshman at a local community college, during my two years at the school, she became someone I wanted to be like. To my surprise when I graduated and transferred to a university, Mrs. Julie also choose to begin a new career at the same university! 


Mrs. Julie is very non-judgemental, patient and a wonderful listener. She takes the time to carefully think about her words before she says anything and in my 13 years of knowing her, not once have I known her to raise her voice, disrespect anyone nor give up on a person. I appreciate that she takes the time out to make sure people understands exactly what she is saying and that they are able to take the information she has shared with them and put it to use, weather it be for personal or professional gain. She is a great supporter and continues to encourage and influence my life even now as an adult.  
I've always strived to mimic her communication behaviors and adopt her unique characteristics for effective communication but honestly, it is VERY hard. She is truly a gem.