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LESSON 2: Principles of Communication

The document outlines 5 principles of effective communication: 1. Be aware of your own communication and perceptions as well as others' to understand different perspectives. 2. Effectively use and interpret verbal messages, including being aware that some organizations require fluency in multiple languages. 3. Effectively use and interpret nonverbal cues, as body language can contradict or enhance verbal messages. 4. Listen thoughtfully to others and respond in a way that shows understanding, such as asking questions and restating what was said. 5. Adapt messages appropriately to the audience in a way that respects diversity and different personalities.

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flor minoza
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304 views

LESSON 2: Principles of Communication

The document outlines 5 principles of effective communication: 1. Be aware of your own communication and perceptions as well as others' to understand different perspectives. 2. Effectively use and interpret verbal messages, including being aware that some organizations require fluency in multiple languages. 3. Effectively use and interpret nonverbal cues, as body language can contradict or enhance verbal messages. 4. Listen thoughtfully to others and respond in a way that shows understanding, such as asking questions and restating what was said. 5. Adapt messages appropriately to the audience in a way that respects diversity and different personalities.

Uploaded by

flor minoza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LESSON 2: Principles of Communication

The effectiveness of communication is not defined by the communication,


but by the response.

-Milton Erickson

PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNICATION

Be specific when offering and receiving information. Oftentimes our meaning gets
lost, twisted, or misunderstood because we haven’t been specific in our
communication or we haven’t asked clarifying questions. The conversations
demonstrate the value of being specific in communication.

To become a more effective communicator, let us learn these communication


principles which are fundamental when communicating with others one on one, in
groups or teams, or when making a professional presentation to an audience.

Principle 1: Be aware of your communication with yourself and others.

The first principle is to be aware of your interactions with others while at work.
Effective communicators are conscious, or “present,” when communicating.
Ineffective communicators mindlessly or thoughtlessly say and do things they may
later regret. Being aware on your own (and others’) communication involves two
important processes. First, it’s important to be aware of what motives or drives a
person to communicate. For example, some people are motivated to communicate
with others in order to avoid being lonely; they want to be included. Others are driven
to communicate in order to control others. Becoming aware of what motivates you
and others to communicate will help you adapt your communication to make it more
effective.

Second, it’s important to be aware that people perceive situations differently. No two
people perceive in the same way. You may see a situation one way and your manager
may see it another way. These perceptual differences result in a number of
communication problems at work. To be an effective leader or follower, regardless of
the type of work involved, it’s important to be aware of your own thoughts,
assumptions, and communication behavior and the behavior of others as well.

Principle 2: Effectively use and interpret verbal messages.


Language is a major tool used in communication. We communicate through a
language, which consists of symbols to form a message and interprets carefully the
messages of others. Symbols are words, sounds, visual images, gestures, or even
objects that represent thoughts, concepts, other objects, or experiences.

Since a number of today’s organizations are global, with offices located throughout
the world, it’s becoming more important for employees to be bilingual --- to be able to
read and write using at least two language systems. Mastering the principle of
effectively using and interpreting verbal messages will enhance your role as a VIP --
- a verbally important person ---- who understands the power of words to influence
others.

Principle 3: Effectively use and interpret nonverbal messages.

Nonverbal communication is communication other than written or spoken language


that creates meaning for someone. Unspoken messages can communicate powerful
ideas or express emotions with greater impact than mere words alone. A leader
patting an employee on the back or an employee slamming shut an office door not
only conveys a message but communicates emotion. Our emotions are
communicated primarily through our use of nonverbal messages. If you have ever
said, “It’s not what he said that bothered me, it’s how he said it,” then you already
understand the power of nonverbal communication. You may have potential customer
telling you that she will call you next week (the verbal message). However, you know
that she will not call you because you sense a lack of sincerity in her voice (the
nonverbal message). Again, it’s not what he said (“I will call you next week”), but how
she said it (insincere tone of voice, lack of eye contact, or fidgeting) that created and
conveyed the meaning to you.

When it comes to communication, what people SEE is often more memorable than
what they read or hear. This is often referred to as body language. Body language
includes facial expressions, eye behavior, gestures, posture, and more. Body
language can express your emotions, feelings, and attitudes. It can even contradict
what you say verbally. People in different cultures may understand some global non-
verbal expressions, while other expressions may be culture specific.

Principle 4: Listen and respond thoughtfully to others.

Although effective leadership requires being able to develop and send messages to
others that are meaningful, it is equally important, if not more important, for leaders
to listen and receive messages from others. Listening involves being other-oriented,
which is what we are being when we consider the needs, motives, desires, and goals
of others. The only way you know what people need is to listen to them. What are
they telling you? What are they not telling you? If you want to be understood, seek to
understand first through listening.
Listening is a process. It not only involves receiving messages, it also includes
responding thoughtfully to what others are saying. Sending responsive messages
involves asking questions that are related to what the person is talking about,
restating it in your own words what you hear the other person saying, and being
nonverbally responsive by leaning forward, making eye contact, and nodding your
head. Responsive messages are affirming. They communicate to other people that
they have listened to and that you understand them.

Principle 5: Appropriately adapt messages to others.

When you adapt a message to others, you make choices about how to best develop
that message in order to achieve your communication goal. The workplace is full of
diversity; chances are that you will be working with people from all over the globe and
with both men and women. A one-size-fits-all approach to communication doesn’t
work in the twenty-first century. In order for messages to have an impact, they must
be tailored to the people receiving them.

Adapting to others does not mean that you tell others what they want to hear. That
would be unethical. Instead, you tell others what you want them to hear, but in ways
that will make sense to them and that they will accept. Another way to tailor your
communication is to adapt to another person’s personality. Some people are
talkative; others are quiet. Some people enjoy a good argument; others find it
annoying. Your ability to adapt and adjust your communication make others
comfortable and enhances understanding.

Source: Cuerda, F. & Pilapil, E. Purposive Communication in the New General


Education Curriculum, c2017.

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