Effective Communication

Effective Communication

com·mu·ni·ca·tion \ kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən \ : a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.

com·mu·ni·ca·tion \ kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən \ : a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.

Why?

Effective communication helps us better understand a person or situation and enables us to resolve differences and build trust and respect.

Why Effective Communication?

• The ability to effectively communicate with others is one of the most important tools for professional and personal success.
• Effective communication can help you influence others.
• Your capacity to communicate is often seen as an indicator of your ability and intelligence.

80% of workplace issues are communication related.

Elements of Personal Communication

If words disagree with the tone of voice and nonverbal behavior, people tend to believe the tonality and nonverbal behavior.

If words disagree with the tone of voice and nonverbal behavior, people tend to believe the tonality and nonverbal behavior.

Dr. Albert Mehrabian

Listening

Active Listening

• More than just hearing someone speak.
• You fully concentrate on what is being said.
• You listen with all your senses and give your full attention to the person speaking.

Are you an active listener?

Nonverbal Communication

Improve how you read nonverbals!

• People watching
• Be aware of individual differences
• Look at nonverbal signals as a whole

Managing Stress

Managing Stress

• When is stress in the workplace good?
• When not good?
• How do you deal with stress?
• How does stress affect your communication?

Tips to Manage Stress in the Moment

• Recognize when you’re stressed
• Identify your stress response
• Bring your senses to the rescue
• Find sensory inspiration
• Make quick stress relief a habit
• Practice wherever you are

Stress Tolerance

• Exercise
• Do more of the “good things”
• Relax
• Respond to today

Emotional Awareness

Why?

• Understand and empathize with what is troubling others.
• Understand yourself – what is really troubling you and what do you really want?
• Helps you at times when you have to deliver bad news.

Social Distancing

Remember!

Social distancing is a key strategy to prevent transmission, but it can come at a social and mental-health cost: it can further our sense of isolation from one another and make us forget that we're in this together. Keep in touch!

Keep Spirits Up!

During COVID-19

• The more effort you put into communicating with colleagues, the better chance you have of avoiding feelings of isolation, which can lead to depression.
• Keep up as much face-to-face interaction online as possible through video calls and regular manager check-ins.

Develop Your Emotional Awareness

Emotional Awareness can be learned and developed.

Once strongly developed, you’ll know what you’re feeling without having to think about it and you’ll be able to use those emotional cues to more accurately read others.

Communicating During COVID-19

Behavioral Communication Style Evaluation

Behavioral Communication Styles

Relater
Socializer
Thinker
Director
INDIRECT
DIRECT
OPEN
GUARDED
Influencing
Steady
Conscientious
Dominant

Resources

• A leader’s guide: Communicating with teams, stakeholders, and communities during COVID-19

Ana Mendy, Mary Lass Stewart, Kate VanAkin. April 2020.

• Quick Stress Relief

Jeanne Segal, Melinda Smith, Lawrence Robinson. March 2020.

Resources

• Behavioral Communication Style Evaluation

Based on the work of Tony Alessandra

• 8 Great Tricks For Reading People’s Body Language

Travis Bradberry, Ph.D., TALENTSMART