Effective Communication

Human Beings Create theSymbols of Communication, andThen They Cannot Understand theSymbols They Create.Anonymous

ObjectivesDefine and give an example of nonverbal communication.Describe the six functions of nonverbal communication.Describe and explain the role of the eight types of nonverbal symbols.Differentiate between formal and informal communication

Functions of Nonverbal CommunicationAccent- punctuating or drawing attention to a verbal message.Complement- expressions or gestures that support, but could not replace a verbal message.Contradict-expressions or gestures that convey a meaning opposite that of a verbal message.

Functions of Nonverbal CommunicationRegulate- expressions or gestures that control the pace or flow of communication.Repeat- a gesture or expression that can be used alone to send the same meaning as a verbal message.Substitute- a nonverbal cue that replaces a verbal message.

Types of Nonverbal SymbolsThe eyesThe face and headGesturesTouchPostureTerritoryWalkingStatus symbols

Types of CommunicationFormal and informalUpward, downward, and horizontalSpoken and writtenElectronic

Types of CommunicationFormal - the official communication that travels through the structured (formal) organization.Informal (grapevine) - rumors, statements, or reports whose truth any known authority cannot verify and which may not pertain to the functioning of the organization.

Types of CommunicationUpward communication - is the flow of communication from managers to managers.Downward communication - is the flow of communication from managers to managers or from upper management to middle management or lower management.Horizontal communication - is the flow of communication moving laterally or at the same level in the organization.

SummaryDefinition of nonverbal communication.Describe the six functions of nonverbal communication.Describe and explain the role of the eight types of nonverbal symbols.Differentiate between formal and informal communication.

ObjectivesIdentify and describe 14 barriers to communication.Explain the importance of listening and identify methods to improve listening.Describe methods to break down communication barriers.

Barriers to Effective CommunicationLying Facial indicators General indicatorsPerceptionsOver-eagerness to respondClosed wordsJudgingCredibility gapNoise

Barriers to Effective CommunicationWasting the thought-speech differentialEmotionsSnap judgmentsAttacking the individualRankGatekeepersPoor listening

Importance of ListeningTime.Good relationship.Prevent misunderstanding and rumors.People perform better.Prevents complaints from blossoming.Good decision making.Prevents haste conclusions.Requires full attention.

Developing Listening SkillsListening responses. Nod - nodding the head slightly and waiting. Pause - looking at the speaker, but without doing or saying anything. Casual remark - I see, uh-huh, or is that so? Echo - repeating the last few words the speaker said. Mirror - showing you understand by reflecting what has just been said: you feel that.Phrasing questions. Open. Closed.

Break Down Communication BarriersEncourage upward communication.Have an open-door policy.Use face-to-face communication when possible.Avoid credibility gaps.Write for understanding.Watch your timing.Be sensitive to needs and feelings of others.Identify and manager conflict.

The Four Cs of Written CommunicationCompleteConciseCorrectConversational

Dos of ListeningEliminate distractions by holding telephone calls and choosing a quiet place to talk.Allow adequate time for discussion.Take note of nonverbal cues.When you are unsure of what was said, restate what you think you heard in the form of a question.

Dos of ListeningShow interest.Express empathy.Be silent when silence is needed.When you think that something is missing, ask simple, direct questions to get the necessary information.

Dos of ListeningArgue.Interrupt.Engage in other activities.Pass judgment too quickly.Jump to conclusions.Let the other persons emotions act too directly on your own.

SummaryIdentify and describe 14 barriers to communication.Explain the importance of listening and identify methods to improve listening.Describe methods to break down communication barriers.

ObjectivesDiagram and explain the basic communication model.List and explain the five message channels.List and explain components of a message and the contribution each makes to the total message.

Communication ProcessesCommunication is the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, by speech, signals, writing, or behavior between a sender and a receiver.

Basic Communication Model

The sender encodes the message and selects a channel. The receiver decodes the message and uses feedback to respond.

Thee Communication Processes FEEDBACKSENDERRECEIVERMESSAGENOISE

The Communication ProcessesFeedback - a verbal or nonverbal response by a receiver to the senders message.Encoding - selecting words and their order for a message by a sender.Decoding - the translation of a message by a receiver.Noise - literally or figuratively, anything that interferes with a message.Message channel - the conduit or medium that will carry a message from the sender to the receiver.

Message ChannelFace-to-faceFace-to-groupTelephoneWrittenThird party

What Are Words Really Like?Two communication rules: Dont assume that everyone knows what you are talking about. Dont assume that you know what others are talking about without asking them questions to make certain.

What Are Words Really Like?Words have regional and international meaning.Words develop new meaning.Double-speaking.The development of new words.Tone affects meaning.

SummaryDiagram and explain the basic communication model.The five message channels. Face-to-face. Face-to-group. Telephone. Written. Third party.The components of a message and the contribution each makes to the total message. Nonverbal. Tonal. Verbal.

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