A presentation by :

Dr. Rana Singh

COMMUNICATION – BUILDING SKILLS

COMMUNICATION

All communication has 3 goals …..1. To ensure that the receiver understand

the communication exactly as the sender intends it to be.

2. To generate a response… some action or change in the knowledge and behavior of the receiver.

3. To help build a bond between people.

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS

• You motivate, explain or convince.• You save time, your own and that of

others.• People develop liking for you• You are heard.

Your mirror image as a communicator

Most important image that you communicate

is your own. • Are you easily understood.• Do you have pet habits like clearing

your throat before you speak?• Do you ‘um’ or ‘er’ a lot?• Do you flicker your eyes too much ?• Do you nod your head too much ?

BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

• Culture, background and bias.

• Noise.

• Ourselves.

• Perception.

BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

• Environmental.

• Smothering.

• Stress.

LISTENING SKILLS

We were given two ears but only one mouth……

…….. This is because God knew that listening was twice as hard as talking.

ACTIVE LISTENING

Traits of active listeners :

• Spends more time listening then talking.

• Does not finish the sentence of others.

• Does not answer questions with questions.

• Are aware of biases. We need to control them.

Contd. .....

Contd. ….ACTIVE LISTENING

• Never daydreams or become preoccupied with their own thoughts when others talk.

• Lets the other speaker talk. Does not dominate the conversation.

• Plans responses after the other person has finished speaking …… NOT while they are speaking.

• Provides feedback, but does not interrupt incessantly.

• Contd. .....

THINGS TO REMEMBER

• If you are really listening intently, you should feel tired after your speaker has finished. Effective listening is an active rather than a passive activity.

• When you find yourself distracting during a listening session, change your body position and concentrate.

Only about 25% of listeners grasp the central ideas in communications. To improve listening skills, consider

the following

POOR LISTENER EFFECTIVE LISTENER

Trends to “wool-gather” with slow speaker

Thinks and mentally summarizes, Weighs the evidence, listens between the lines

Subject too dry, ejects the speaker.

Finds what’s in it for me / an opportunity for learning

Gets Distracted easily Fights distractions, knows how to concentrate.

Takes intensive notes, but the more notes taken, the less value; has only one way to take notes

Has 2-3 ways to take notes and organize important information.

Contd. … POOR LISTENER AND EFFECTIVE LISTENER

Is always hyper, tends to seek and enter into arguments.

Doesn’t judge until comprehension is complete

Inexperienced in listening to difficult material; has usually sought light, recreational materials.

User “heavier” material to regularly exercise the mind.

Lets deaf spots or blind words catch his or her attention.

Interprets color words, and doesn’t get hung up on them.

Shows no energy output. Holds eye contact and helps speakerAlong by showing an active body state.

Listens for facts Listens for central ideas.

SPEAKING SKILLS..

• When speaking or trying to explain something,

ask the listeners if they are following you.

• Ensure the receiver has a chance to comment or ask questions.

• Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes – Consider the feelings of the receiver.

• Be clear about what you say.

SPEAKING HINTS.. Contd…

• Look at the receiver.

• Make sure your words match your tone and body language (Non verbal Behaviors).

• Change your tone and pace.

• Do not complicate what you are saying with too mach detail.

• The listener looking confused, take a pause

There are three basic communication styles:

• Aggressive

• Passive

• Assertive

A COMPARISON OF VARIOUS COMMUNICATION STYLES

•PASSIVE ASSERTIVE AGGRESSIVE

DefinitionCommunication style in which you put the rights of others before your own , minimizing your own self worth

Communication style in which you stand up for your rights while maintaining respect for the right of others.

Communication style in which you stand up for your right but you violate the right of other.

Implications to others

My feelings are not important.I don’t matterI think I’m inferior

We are both importantWe both matterI think we are equal.

Your feelings are not important.You don’t matterI think I’m superior

Verbal Styles

ApologeticOverly soft or tentative voice

I statements

Firm voice

You statements

Loud voice.

Contd……

Contd. …A COMPARISON OF VARIOUS COMMUNICATION STYLES

Non Verbal Styles

Looking down or awayStooped posture, excessive head nodding

Looking directRelaxed posture, smooth and relaxed movements.

Staring, narrow eyesTense, clenched fists, rigid posture, pointing fingers

Potential Consequences

Lowered self esteem.Anger at selfFalse feelings of inferiority Disrespect from other Pitied by others

Higher self esteemSelf respectRespect from othersRespect of others.

Anger from othersLowered self esteemDisrespect from othersFeared by others.

THANKSTHANKS