Communication

 

• “The less I know, the better off I am.”

• Does this apply in the context of taking the ACT test?

• We sure wouldn’t want to be talking about blood pressure numbers!

• “The higher your score…the better!”

• Improve your message content...

• The message you send can invite or discourage communication.

• Examples of Door Openers:
• "I'm interested in what you are saying." "What do you think?"
• "Would you like to share more about that?"
• "That's a good question."
• "I don't know, but I'll find out"
• "Do you know what that means?"
• "That sounds important to you."
• "Do you want to talk about it?"

• Examples of Door Slammers:
• "You are too young to understand."
• "If you say that again, I'll..."
• "That's none of your business."
• "I don't care what your friends are doing!"
• "We'll talk about that when you need to know."
• "That's just for boys/girls"
• "Why are you asking me that?"
• "You don't need to know about that."
• "Don't come to me if you mess up."

• Avoid expressing only negative feelings. If you need to offer criticism, try to preface it with some type of positive statement.

• Measure the success of your communication by the outcomes you get.

• Earn the right to be heard. Active listening establishes a "psychological truth" that states: When you sincerely try to understand another person's point of view (not necessarily agree with it), then he/she becomes psychologically obligated to try to understand your point of view. Your acknowledgement of what the speaker had to say obligates them to hear what you have to say.

• Close the communication gap between your intentions and your behavior. There is a general rule: We measure ourselves by our intentions; others measure us by our behavior. State intentions clearly and up front; ask for feedback.

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