Communication
Communication
Skills
1
Concepts
• Words Mean Different Things to
Different People.
• The Initiation of a Message
Provides No Assurance It Has
Been Received.
• Communications Often Become
Distorted as They Are
Transmitted.
2
Why is Communication
Important?
• Everything a manager does
involves communication.
• Effective communication
skills can lead to problems
for the manager.
• Communication of content
• Supportive communication
3
Communication of Content
• Channel choices
• In person
• Telephone
• Email
• Written
• Third party
4
Supportive
Communication
• A focus on processes.
• Two categories:
Coaching: giving advice, direction or
information to improve performance… focus
on abilities
Counselling: helping the person understand
and resolve a problem themselves by
displaying understanding… focus on
attitudes
5
What Is the Interpersonal
Communication Process?
• Communication
• Sequential Steps
• Encoded
• Transmitted
• Decoding
• Noise
• Feedback
6
Exhibit 3-1: The Communication Process Model
7
Basic Interpersonal
Communication Skills
• Avoid Barriers to Communication.
• Send Understandable Messages:
Effective communication.
• Actively Listen.
• Utilize Non-verbal Signals.
• Give and Solicit Meaningful Feedback.
• Adapt to Diversity of Communication
Styles… try multiple channels
8
What Are the Barriers
To Communication?
• Frames of Reference
• Semantics
• Value Judgments
• Selective Listening
• Filtering
• Distrust
9
Attributes of effective
communication
• Problem oriented not person oriented
10
Attributes of effective
communication
• Congruence versus incongruence
• Mismatch between what one feels/thinks
and what one says
11
Attributes of effective
communication
• Descriptive versus evaluative
• Avoid judgment
• How:
4. describe objectively;
5. focus on the behaviour and your reaction not the
other’s attributes;
6. focus on solutions
“You screwed up”
12
Attributes of effective
communication
• Invalidation: • Validation:
• Superiority • Respectful
• Rigidity • Flexible
• Indifference • Two way
• impervious communication
• Identify areas of
agreement
13
Attributes of effective
communication
• specific not global
“you never ask for my advice”
“You are lazy”
14
Attributes of effective
communication
• Conjunctive not disjunctive
• Lack of equal opportunity to speak?
• Extended pauses?
• Who controls the flow?
A continuum…
15
Attributes of effective
communication
• Owned not disowned
• Use of “I statements” not “you or other
statements”
“I’ve heard that you…”
16
Attributes of effective
communication
• Two way not one way
• Listening by responding
17
Exhibit 3-2: Guides for Giving and Receiving Feedback
3. Don’t be defensive.
4. Seek specific examples.
5. Be sure you understand (summarize).
6. Share your feelings about the comments.
7. Ask for definitions.
8. Check out underlying assumptions.
9. Be sensitive to sender’s nonverbal messages.
10. Ask questions to clarify.
19
How Do You Receive and
Understand Messages Accurately?
• Listening
• Active Listening
• Sensing
• Attending
• Reflecting
20
How Can You
Utilize Nonverbal Cues?
• Visual
• Tactile
• Vocal
• Time and Space
21
Exhibit 3.3: Means of Nonverbal Communication
VISUAL
Components Examples Meanings Communicated
TACTILE
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Exhibit 3.3: Means of Nonverbal Communication
(continued)
VOCAL
How things are said Loudness, pitch, rate Different meanings, e.g.
Vocal intonations Rhythm, pitch, clarity Sarcasm, disapproval
SPACIAL
23
How Can You Adapt to Diversity
of Communication Styles?
• Differences in
Communication Styles
• The Socializer
• The Director
• The Thinker
• The Relater
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Cultural Differences
25
Gender Differences
26
How Can You Facilitate
Communication with Diversity?
• Assume Differences
• Emphasize Description
• Empathize
• Treat Interpretations as
Guesses
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