Personal Communication Assessment


How good are your productive communication practices? Most people are confident they are reasonably good communicators and have good communication skills. However, as one person who completed the Personal Communication Assessment remarked, "I didn’t think I needed to change the way I communicated until I took this assessment." Another said, "This assessment showed me where I am getting it right, and where I need to focus – specifically – to be a better communicator."

The Personal Communication Assessment gives you an opportunity to see how well you engage in effective communication practices based on The Four Conversations: Daily Communication that Gets Results. When you complete the Personal Communication Assessment and hit "submit", you will be taken to a page that shows you your own communication profile and your score on each of the four conversations: Initiative, Understanding, Performance, and Closure.

The Personal Communication Assessment does not tell you how often you actually use each type of conversation, or whether you are using them all at the appropriate times. But it does allow you to see how proficient you are at the practices that make your conversations work. Completing the Personal Communication Assessment is a great opportunity to see where you are currently strong and where you could make some improvements.

Some people like to take the Assessment again after they have practiced some specific changes – you can take it as often as you like to track your development in the various practices.

Below is a list of ordinary communication situations – actions and behaviors people engage in at work, at home, or with friends and associates. Please indicate on the scale below how frequently you engage in each action or behavior in your conversations, particularly among the people you most frequently speak with, by clicking on the circle under the letter that best describes your answer.


In answering each question, ask yourself – "How would the people I work with score me on this question?"

N = Never


R = Rarely


S = Sometimes


U = Usually


E = Every time


Communication Practices


N

R

S

U

E

1.

Whenever I make a mistake or cause a misunderstanding that negatively impacts others, I apologize promptly and make things right with them so there are no resentments or hard feelings left between us.






2.

I propose new ideas, initiatives, and changes to people who are in a position to develop, implement, or use them.






3.

When someone says "Yes" or "OK" to whatever I am asking them to do, I ask if they are actually accepting my request, or just letting me know they have heard me.






4.

Whenever I ask someone to do something for me, I make sure they are clear about what I want, when I want it, and why I want it.






5.

I remind people of our goals, objectives, and priorities, and connect the things we are currently doing to the accomplishment of those goals, objectives, and priorities.






6.

As soon as I realize I will not be able to keep an agreement with someone, I let them know and work out with them how we can handle this.






7.

Before solving a problem or implementing a new change initiative, I discuss it with the people who will be affected by it, I learn about their ideas, questions, and concerns, and I include their best suggestions before proceeding.






8.

Anytime I propose a new idea, initiative, or change, I explain to all parties involved why it is important and what difference its accomplishment will make.






9.

Whenever I am unclear or uncertain about my role in a plan or a project, I ask questions in order to clarify it.






10.

Whenever I ask someone to do something for me, I make sure to give a specific due date and time for when I would like it done.






11.

Whenever I fail to keep an agreement, I contact the other people involved, tell them what happened, and work with them to make things right.






12.

Whenever there is a change in policy or procedure, I explain it fully to everyone involved so they understand exactly what it means and what we need to do about it.






13.

Whenever I propose a new idea or change, I also propose a time frame in which I would like to see it accomplished, such as "within the next few weeks" or "by December 31st".






14.

Whenever I propose a new idea, initiative, or change, I actively work with others to help establish the goals, plans, and milestones for successfully accomplishing it.






15.

Whenever I propose a new initiative or change, I tell people what it is ultimately intended to accomplish.






16.

Before I agree to do something for someone, I make sure they give me a specific due date by when they want it done.






17.

Before I let someone else agree to do something for me, I make sure they actually have the time available to do what I am asking.






18.

Whenever I propose something new, I ask for ideas and suggestions about who else should be involved, what resources might be needed, and how to accomplish the objectives.






19.

Whenever people do something for me, I make it a point to acknowledge and appreciate them for the work they have done.






20.

Whenever someone fails to do something for me by the time they said they would, I make it a point to promptly follow up, find out what happened, and make a new agreement.






Please provide your email so you can be sent your score. A PDF of your score and responses will be available for download, too.

© 2014 Jeffrey Ford and Laurie Ford