Communicating is easy where some form of it is used on a regular basis, but communicating well and effectively takes skill. Thinking beyond basic language rules and facilitating impactful, positive exchanges of information is something not everyone has the capability of doing. In order to obtain habits of good communication, much practice must come along with it, working at it everyday because if you don’t use it, you lose it. Good communicators establish a personal connection by focusing on how their message can impact the other person involved. However, communication is so much more than just verbally speaking, it is also about actively listening and using non-verbal methods to communicate as well. From as long as I can remember, my mother engraved the words into my mind that “communication is key”  where any positive relationship will stem from effective communication from all. Having this mindset growing up has been my magic tool that I use, already knowing the importance of communicating in everything that you do. Working in the LEAD Office for the past nine months has only furthered this thinking method of mine and has influenced me to find other ways to communicate, like through actively listening. Being a Leadership Consultant means facilitating a range of workshops both on and off campus where being able to effectively and positively communicate the directions, objective and help if needed are essential. My ability to read the room and awareness of my surroundings help me flourish in the field of communication. These are some examples of non-verbal communication, without words being able to detect how your participants/audience is feeling and what you can do best to help them succeed. Another huge component of communication is doing so with confidence; a good communicator enjoys public speaking to a diverse group of people. When I was in my sophomore year at George Mason, I was accepted into the Mason Ambassador program associated with the Office of Admissions where here my own personal journey of loving to public speak began. An Ambassador is responsible for providing campus tours to prospective families all across the country, showing them the great innovation George Mason University traditionally exemplifies. Each tour must be an hour minimum where you as the Ambassador are speaking the entire time to your audience, providing information and answering questions. The Office of Admissions developed in me a love to speak publically to a variety of people where answering questions became my next favorite thing; this organization helped me to blossom the loud voice I am proud to have today.

After already having this knowledge on effective communication and public speaking, the LEAD Office acted as a catalyst to my success in these fields. Facilitating workshops to every age range and doing it well has made me an even better communicator. This is something that can be worked on everyday and takes much practice to be indeed an effective and positive communicator.