In addition to recognizing the link between communication choices and outcomes, your communication competence will be boosted by learning the connections that exist between the different types of communication. Yes, communicating face-to-face is different from interacting online, just as conversing within a group is different from presenting in front of an audience. Yet many similar skills connect them. Consider, for example, what it means to be a good listener. It matters little whether you’re listening to an audience member’s question following a presentation or Skyping with your sister who is overseas. The characteristics that constitute being a good listener (discussed in Chapter 7) transcend communication type and context. Becoming a competent communicator means understanding the connections between different forms of communication, as well as the skills that are unique to each.

Throughout this book, we will provide you with numerous examples illustrating the connections between different communication types. For instance, you’ll see how determining your communication purpose is important whether you’re planning a group meeting or preparing a speech, realize how the skills used for managing interpersonal conflict can help when problems arise in teams, and discover that sharing appropriate and relevant information about yourself (known as self-disclosure) is important for both creating small group bonds and establishing rapport with an audience during a speech.

But perhaps even more important than these specific points of connection is the fact that your communication and your communication skills connect you to other human beings. Communication is your primary vehicle for exchanging meaning, achieving goals, connecting with others emotionally, and building personal and professional relationships with others.

The importance of communication for connecting you to others makes it essential that you base your communication choices on the best knowledge you have. No one would consider making a decision about a college major, a future career, or major purchases without first gathering the most trustworthy information available. Communication should be no different. That’s where this book—and the class you’re taking—come in. We (your authors: Steve and Joe) will provide you with the best research, theory, and practical skills training that the field of communication has to offer. As you absorb this knowledge and start applying these skills in your own life, you’ll position yourself to make the best communication choices. As a result, you’ll boost the odds of creating positive outcomes in your personal and professional lives, including healthy and satisfying connections with others.

29