Communication Workshop

OutlineWho are you?

Good Communicators Vs. Poor Communicators

Communication: Basic Principles

Activity #1 and Debrief

Verbal Messages

Non-Verbal Messages

Listening Skill Questionnaire

Listening: Barriers and Tips

Activity #2 and Debrief

What are you going to do about it?

Who Are You?

What Makes Someone either a Good or a Bad Communicator?

Your Thoughts

Basic PrinciplesTalking openly about ideas and sharing with others can be scary at first but if this open sharing never occurs, people will never learn to appreciate and understand other peoples lives and perspectives, and never experience meaningful and constructive communication.

Basic PrinciplesThe very best way to shut the door to open and meaningful conversation is to be negative or judgmental

Never miss out on opportunities to lift others by telling them you appreciate them (this will make them feel good and hopefully inspire them to pass it on why not make yourself and others feel good!)

Basic PrinciplesDiscuss issues early on before they escalate into major problems

You always have a choice you can choose to communicate positively with others or you can choose to remain closed and negative and miss out on opportunities to learn about yourself and from others

Activity #1Cup Stacking

Stack the cups provided into a pyramid (5 on bottom row, four on second row)

You CANT touch the cups with your hands

Each person needs to hold one piece of string

Activity #1: Debrief(Answer is small group then share)

What did your group do really well?

What didnt your group do so well?

If your group had to do this activity again, would you approach it any differently? Explain

Verbal MessagesThink of how you can say something in a positive way before delivering your message

It helps people to understand what you are saying if you express to them why you are sharing with them (ie. Because I care about you Or I know youre really interested in)

By evaluating the intent of your own message, you can have a better idea of whether or not there is a meaningful reason to share your thoughts

Things to Consider When Delivering Your MessageThe Receiver: The responsibility for good communication lies not only in the hands or ears of the receiver the speaker must also take responsibility for sending a clear message. Before sending your message, Ask yourself: What is this persons involvement? What do they need to know? How should it be said to this person?

Things to Consider When Delivering Your MessageUse more than one medium to convey your message if this will help the receiver remember and understand what you want them to know (memos, emails, diagrams, verbal reminders)

Dont try and sound too technical if the receiver doesnt speak the same languageGet rid of non-essential wordsUse words the receiver will understandUse pictures and examples if appropriate

Non-Verbal MessagesSo much of what we say isnt said with words

Voice reading others emotions even when we cant make out the words

Appearance others will be influenced by how pleasant you look and how appropriately you are dressed

Face/Eyes Your eyes can give you away (Confused? Understood? Bad time!)Eye contact shows your involvement dont want to stare but want to show you are interested

Non-Verbal MessagesPosture forward leaning (comments being received well) pulling back (something not being received so well)- Standing tall (assertive, confident)- Slouching (submissive, passive)

Personal Space/Distance want both people to feel comfortableToo far can seem unfriendly or bearing bad newsToo close can seem confining or invadingIf someone keeps retreating dont keep getting closer

Listening!!!!Why is listening so important?(Examples)

ListeningPoor listening skills can result in disastrous consequences for relationships and organizations

Many people spend a greater part of their day listening than they do reading, writing, or speaking

Listening to others helps build rapport, identify needs, and shows that you really care

Empathic ListeningSeek first to understand, then to be understood

Barriers to ListeningWhat are they?

Personal Experiences?

Barriers to ListeningHearing Problems some people have actual hearing loss others need to be sensitive to this

Rapid Thought Listeners can process 500wpm while most speak at 125wpm leaves a lot of extra processing space in the listeners head which can explain why we wonder sometimes

Barriers to ListeningPhysical Distractions (noises, stuffy room, other conversations)

Message Overload can only remember so much information especially if it involves instructions for a new task

Preoccupation hard to listen to others when there is something else really important on your mind (be honest with the other person and explain that you would like to hear what they have to say but that another time would be better)

Barriers to ListeningEgocentrism my ideas are better and more important than yours I have nothing to learn from you, Ill just use this time to prepare what I have to say

Assuming Listening is Passive listening doesnt just equal not talking, Active listening means absorbing what is being said, processing it, paraphrasing to show your understanding and interest, and asking questions when messages are unclear

Barriers to ListeningCultural Differences use of language, communication norms

Gender Differences what is appropriate, acceptable, respectful

Lack of Training people just arent taught how to listen or encouraged to practice

How do I Practice Listening?Every time you engage in conversation is an opportunity to practice try to make that person feel like he or she is the only and most important person in the world to you during that encounter. People feel good when they feel heard and you may inspire them to treat you and others with the same respect.

Adopt an attitude that says: Im here anyway, why not get the most out of this experience by learning through active listening

Listening is a choice!

Activity #2One speaker describes to the rest of the group how to arrange blocks so that they look like the pattern that the speaker has on a sheet of paper

The catch: The speaker cannot see the blocks and the arrangers cannot see the sheet of paper or the speaker.

You can both ask questions, talk lots, and listen lots!

(Think about what we have discussed today)

Activity #2: DebriefWhat made this task challenging?

What skills did you use to accomplish the task?

Were you more aware of anything in particular as a result of the principles discussed in this workshop?

Steps to Better CommunicationHow would you like to be able to communicate with others?

What can you do everyday to get closer to being able to communicate the way you want to?

Act on your everyday plan/goals

Evaluate yourself (daily, after conversations, asking yourself whats working, what could be better)

Thanks!

ReferencesAdler, R. & Marquardt Elmhorst, J. (1995). Communicating at work (5th ed.). United States of America: McGraw-Hill.

Blundel, R. (1998). Effective business communication. Hertfordshire:Prentice Hall.

Orlick, T. (1998). Embracing your potential. United States ofAmerica: Human Kinetics.