1. Commentary 1
2. Commentary 2
3. Commentary 3
4. Commentary 4
5. Commentary 5
6. Commentary 6
7. Commentary 7
8. Commentary 8

The Four Competencies

Knowledge. The ability to understand the organizational communication environment.

Sensitivity. The ability to sense meanings and feelings within organizations.

Skills. The ability to analyze a situation as well as to send and receive messages.

Values. A commitment to taking responsibility for effective communication.

Look very carefully at how Shockley-Zalabak defines these four competencies. Note that all of the competencies she describes are oriented toward communication. Knowledge is knowledge of communication processes; sensitivity is an awareness of the communication implications of organizational symbols and situations; skills are skills for communicating; and even values are values oriented toward communication effectiveness.