Communication

Communication

Good communication skills are among the most important

ingredients contributing to the performance enhancement

and personal growth of sport and exercise participants.

The Communicatio

n Process

Purposes of Communication

PersuasionEvaluationInformationMotivationProblem Solving

Types of Communication

Interpersonal communication (at least two persons in a meaningful exchange)

Nonverbal communication

Intrapersonal communication (self-talk– the communication we have with ourselves)

The CommunicationProcess

Sending Messages Effectively

Nonverbal message characteristicsphysical appearanceposturebody positiongesturestouchingfacial expressionvoice characteristics

Sending Messages Effectively

The importance of nonverbal messages:Nonverbal messages are harder to

hide and consciously control, so they are more accurate indicators of how a person feels.

Sending Messages Effectively

1. Be direct.2. Own your message.3. Be complete and specific.4. Be clear and consistent.5. State your needs and feelings clearly.6. Separate fact from opinion.

Sending Messages Effectively

7. Focus on one thing at a time.8. Deliver messages immediately.9. Avoid hidden agendas.10. Be supportive.11. Be consistent with your nonverbal

messages.12. Reinforce with repetition.

Sending Messages Effectively

13. Make messages appropriate to the receiver’s frame of reference.

14. Look for feedback that your message was accurately interpreted.

Receiving Messages Effectively

Active Listening Asking questions Paraphrasing Attending to main and supporting ideas Acknowledging and responding Giving appropriate feedback Paying attention to the speaker’s total

communication (verbal and nonverbal)

Receiving Messages Effectively

Keys to active listening:Paraphrase what the speaker said.Don’t mistake listening for

understanding.Understanding = agreement?Mentally prepare to listen.

Breakdowns in Communication

I KNOW YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU THINK I SAID- 

BUT I'M NOT SURE YOU REALIZE THAT WHAT YOU HEARD IS NOT WHAT I MEANT.

Sender Failures: Poorly transmitted messages ambiguous, inconsistent

Receiver Failures: Failure to listen carefully (misinterpretation)

The Sandwich Approach to Constructive Criticism

A positive statement.Future-oriented instruction.A compliment.

Example of the Sandwich Approach

Positive statement: “Sally, you are really working hard out there.”

Future-oriented statement: “Next time try to slow down and not get ahead

of the music.”

Compliment: “You’re getting there; keep up the good work!”

Confrontation

A face to face discussion among people in conflict. While confrontation is often seen as negative, when properly used, it is a part of effective communication.

DO’s and DON’T’s of Confronting

DO convey that you value your relationship with the person

DO go slowly and think about what you want to communicate.

DO try to understand the other person’s position.

DO listen carefully to what the other person is trying to communicate.