8/13/2019 Effective Communication Strategies
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Effective Communication Strategies
Florina Olaru, lect. univ. drd. UEB
Abstract Effective communication strategies ensure positive
relationships. In negotiation and conflict
resolution, mindfulness prevents breakdown in communication and
enables tactical choices. Coachingthrough conflict implies using
mindfulness in communication skills for a win-win resolution of
conflicts.
Key words: communication, strategies, mindfulness, negotiation,
interpersonal relationships, coaching
Effective dealing with conflict goes a long way in determining
the success of an endeavor. n internal
conflict in your team impacts on team dynamics and cohesion. !or
as a leader or coach, learning how to
deal with these conflicts can become a ma"or part of her#his
everyday "ob. $nproductive ways such as
avoiding the conflict %&It's not a big problem, why
worry()*, forcing it %&I will win this argument no
matter what)*, or accommodating to it %&I'll give up
whatever it takes to end the conflict)*.
+ne of the ways you can help alleviate team conflict is to learn
and use effective mediation strategies. sa coach, you are in a
powerful position to display positive conflict management in the
way you
communicate with athletes, parents, referees, and the media.
here are four principles to keep in mind
when trying to resolve conflict:
. ctive istening. /isplaying a willingness to listen can help
alleviate conflict.
o Encourage the speaker by asking 0uestions and showing
interest.
o 1alidate the speaker. 2ou can still show interest in the
person while not necessarily
agreeing with her#his point of view.
o 3estate the speaker's message by paraphrasing main points.
o Center the conflict by trying to find the key points of the
message.
4. 5on-verbal Communication. cold shoulder, eye roll, or
clenched "aw can go a long way in
communicating a point without even saying a word. In fact, 678
of our communication is non-
verbal in nature. 9e open and consistent in your body language,
helping to defuse emotion.
. $sing &I) ;tatements. his is centered in the belief that
if the speaker takes responsibility for
her#his statements others will be less likely to simply react
and put up a defense. &)
o /iagnosing> &2our problem is that you>)
o /iscounting> &Cheer up, it'll work out>)
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o ecturing> &?ow many times do I have to tell
you>)
o hreatening> &his is the last time I will>)
o @reaching> &2ou ought to know better than to>)
hereto are some practical ways to avoid building up
conflict:
. Convey the value of your relationship with the person.4. Ao
slowly with what you want to communicate.
. ry to understand the other person's position.
=. isten to what the other person is trying to communicate.
B. Confront the situation, not the person.If the previous
actions fail, the breakdown in communication follows, the
opponents
display the following:
. Communicate the solution they do not focus on the problem.
4. ;top communicating.
. $se put-downs or sarcasm.
=. 3ely on nonverbal hints to communicate, in a direct and
forthcoming way.
B. /iscuss the problem with others not associated with the
conflict.
