Communication SkillsCommunication Skills

Communication SkillsCommunication Skills

Skills that help a person share thoughts, Skills that help a person share thoughts, feelings and information with others.feelings and information with others.There are several different ways to There are several different ways to communicatecommunicate Not everyone is comfortable communicating in Not everyone is comfortable communicating in

the same waysthe same ways

Brainstorm some ways that you can Brainstorm some ways that you can communicate with other people.communicate with other people.

Verbal vs. Non VerbalVerbal vs. Non Verbal

Activity – Non Verbal CommunicationActivity – Non Verbal Communication Without talkingWithout talking

Activity – Verbal CommunicationActivity – Verbal Communication Someone giving directionsSomeone giving directions

Non Verbal CommunicationNon Verbal Communication

The use of actions or body language to The use of actions or body language to express feelings or thoughts.express feelings or thoughts.

CuesCues

Body LanguageBody Language

Eye ContactEye Contact People are observant…People are observant… Non verbal communication can cause Non verbal communication can cause

trouble…How? trouble…How?

Expressing yourself clearly Expressing yourself clearly

Do not expect others to know what you Do not expect others to know what you mean or want to say…mean or want to say… Use I-messages… “I feel…because…” Use I-messages… “I feel…because…”

““I am in a difficult situation because you didn’t return my book to me before class today. Now if the teacher calls on me to read, I won’t be able to, and Mrs. Clark will think I’m not prepared for class.”

I-messages give another person a chance to respond

Expressing yourself clearlyExpressing yourself clearly

You-messages – a statement that blames You-messages – a statement that blames another person for a situation or problemanother person for a situation or problem ““You did this…you are stupid…” You did this…you are stupid…”

“I can’t believe you forgot my book. You are so stupid! Can’t you do anything right?”

You-messages do not give the other person a chance to respond in a positive way.

You-messages put people on the defensive

Listening to the other personListening to the other person

Active Listening – the way you respond Active Listening – the way you respond during a conversation to show the speaker during a conversation to show the speaker you understand what he or she is saying.you understand what he or she is saying. Active ListeningActive Listening

Brainstorm some ideas of how to show a person Brainstorm some ideas of how to show a person you are paying attention…you are paying attention…

Understanding each otherUnderstanding each other

Active ListeningActive Listening Clarifying a response – asking for more infoClarifying a response – asking for more info Restating a response – repeat what he/she Restating a response – repeat what he/she

saidsaid Summarizing a response – summarize the Summarizing a response – summarize the

main ideamain idea Affirming a response – state your appreciation Affirming a response – state your appreciation

for what the speaker has saidfor what the speaker has said

When you don’t listenWhen you don’t listen

You run the risk of hurting someone’s feelings. You run the risk of hurting someone’s feelings. You risk making that person feel unimportant. You risk making that person feel unimportant. You could harm your relationship with that You could harm your relationship with that personperson Reasons people tune outReasons people tune out

Thinking of someone/something elseThinking of someone/something else

Could not hear the speakerCould not hear the speaker

Tired or dozing offTired or dozing off

Thinking about what you were going to say nextThinking about what you were going to say next

Heard a distracting noiseHeard a distracting noise

Thought you knew what the speaker was going to say nextThought you knew what the speaker was going to say next

5 Minute Check5 Minute Check

1.1. What is nonverbal communication? Give an What is nonverbal communication? Give an example.example.

2.2. Hat is the difference between an I-message Hat is the difference between an I-message and a You-message.and a You-message.

3.3. Why is sending a mixed message poor Why is sending a mixed message poor communication?communication?

4.4. Why is listening an important part of Why is listening an important part of communication skills?communication skills?

5.5. How could you tell someone you are too How could you tell someone you are too distracted to actively listen to him/her?distracted to actively listen to him/her?