Are You an Effective Communicator?

  Our communication styles are variable a multitude of factors affect our verbal and auditory abilities. Others may judge our communication capabilities by our appearance, what we choose to speak about, and how clearly we speak. Our listen skills can also impact how we are perceived. For example, if others feel that you understand; demonstrative empathetic listening or active listening they will be willing to communicate with you. An issue that may be a barrier to information sharing is our self-awareness of our communication styles.

We may believe that we are effective communicators or be unconfident in our interactions with others. This will be impacted by the public and possibly the subject matter. We may be very competent communicators at home and when speaking to our family and friends. This may not translate to small or large groups discussions. The subject matter is also related to this, as our family may not be interested in the jargon and pedagogical information associated with early education, while our colleagues may not wish to hear about our grocery lists.

While verbal or written output comprises a part of communication, listening skills constitute the other essential elements to information. To be and effective listener, we must understand the audience allowing for others to complete their thoughts; clarify information; and ask questions. Paraphrasing, or repeating with the other person is communicating reinforces understanding or clarifies any issues that were not already discussed. However, listening involves more than our ears. We must look at our speaker, reduce body movement, and avoid interrupting the speaker.

When sending and receiving communications, we must apply the same rules. Unclear messages must be clarified. We must be thoughtful about what we are communicating and in most cases, add additional information to ensure that the receiver has enough information to understand the context of the message, as the nonverbal cues and verbal intonation will not be available for providing additional contest to the reader. Nonverbal communication comprises of 55% body language and 35% tone of voice.

Listed below are two tools that may help you determine your efficacy as a communicator. You may wish to complete lists yourself and then have other complete them with you in mind.

http://www.cengage.com/resource_uploads/static_resources/0324223048/7346/listen_quiz.html

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCS_99.html

I have also included a link for communicating with the little ones in your life.

Positive Parenting Skills.net.  

http://www.positive-parenting-skills.net/verbal-and-nonverbal-communication.html

Resources

Communication confusion.  Retrieved from http://www.fiona-campbell.co.uk/blog-details.aspx?hid=19&nid=35

Dr. Guffey's Listening Quiz. Retrieved from http://www.cengage.com/resource_uploads/static_resources/0324223048/7346/listen_quiz.html

Picture of communication.  Retrieved March 24, 2014 from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCS_99.htm

Positive Parenting Skills.  Retrieved from March 24, 2014 from http://www.positive-parenting-skills.net/verbal-and-nonverbal-communication.html

The Communication Quiz. Retrieved  March 24from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCS_99.html

Culture and Communciation

Cultural diversity impacts the way we communicate.  The subtle nuances and cultural norms associated with different societies will govern how its citizens interact with each other.  Beyond personal communication styles, age, sex, socioeconomic status and relationship will impact the effectiveness of communication.

We must ensure that we do not take offense to a Middle Eastern man who refuses to shake the hand of a female.  Within the culture, members of the opposite sex do not make physical contact.   In Afghanistan, Iran and some parts of Italy and Greece, a thumb up signal may have the same connotations as the middle finger gesture in North America.   As early educators, who serve multicultural groupings, we must ensure that we are striving to understand the nuances associated with culture diversity.  We must ensure semantics are clear and specific to the situation.  Present language in terms that families and children can understand.  Avoid acronyms and jargon. We must even consider our attire, being courteous and ensure that we do bear too much skin.  Physical contact may also be acceptable or unacceptable with differences in interactions amongst the genders.
We must also try to learn about the cultural, gender and age related norms, while being careful not to stereotype.  Additionally, it is essential that we are responsible and seek external supports in the forms of translation or multicultural brokers when we cannot verbally communicate in a common language.

Resources

African men. Retrieved from http://www.go2africa.com/africa-travel-blog/12071

North American Teens. Retrieved from  http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/041708/mwTeenVolunteersMark.html

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Non-verbal Communication- Assumptions

 

Have you ever watched a television show with the sound turned off or watched a couple across the room, without being able to hear what they are saying?  Are our assumptions correct? Is there a possibility of misunderstanding the intent? Does your familiarity with the character allow you to interpret the nonverbal cues for speech?  In all cases - yes, but we must be cautious. There is a risk of jumping to the incorrect conclusions or responding in an incompatible  fashion.

Our body language conveys more than we may realize.  Subtle physiological factors such as flushing of a face, tilting of a head, pursing of lips may illustrate interest, embarrassment or thought.  Much like verbal communication physical actions can be misinterpreted if taken out of context.  In addition to what we see with our eyes, we must consider the cultural context of what is occurring.  For example, certain gestures such a hand shakes, which are common in North America may not exist or be inappropriate amongst sexes.

Have there been times were you are deep in thought and someone has asked you why you are upset?  Has there been times when you mother smiled at you and you knew that you were in big trouble?  We must be understand that nonverbal communication makes up 55% of what we are saying.  As a result, first impressions really do impact our interactions with others.  Therefore, it is important to maintain an open mind when we are meeting others and during our daily communications to ensure what we are hearing and seeing are truly correlated.  Relying upon one mode of communication only will negatively impact our ability to send and receive messages accurately.

 

Resources:

Group reaction.  Retrieved March 12, 2014 from http://www.dennisgingerich.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Non-Verbal-Communication-Chart-Transparent1.png

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Pie Chart.  Retrieved March 12, 2014http://www.dennisgingerich.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Non-Verbal-Communication-Chart-Transparent1.png

Nonverbal Communication Web.  Retrieved from https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_OnmZsGtpM8ya36bDQejc4TQeMCPK7hXbvP9-yJoQnF9cl4qo

Effective Communication

 

 

Effective communicators engage us with their language, actions, and messages. Although communication has a cultural context, there are some personalities, who can, bridge geographic and societal differences; reflecting the world around them and drawing light to issues of importance.

They sell a message and make us want to hear more. The most successful have a high degree of charisma, drawing people to them. When I think about effective communicators within the public eye, two very different personalities come to mind. American businesswoman, advocate and television star, Oprah Winfrey has brought inspiration to so many across the world. Conversely, a second effective communicator is the Dali Lama who also addresses issues of heart and mind within the context of our society.

 

Oprah is a household name, building a business empire upon her gregarious personality and image. She has engaged audiences with issues related to popular culture, health matters, and social justice. She has an amazing talent to take complex topics and make it part of mainstream communications.

The Dali Lama is an engaging communicator, who approaches the world with a smile and pleasant demeanor. In spite of his meek demeanor and modest appearance, he skillfully addresses complex issues and potential volatile subjects to a wide range of audiences .The Dali Lama is intimately aware of the issue to which he speaks publicly. He address a multitude of issues and draws connections to complex issues by providing examples from contemporary and past times. He engages the listen through a soothing voice which his intonation changes frequently to highlight matters of pertinence.

2013 GSWS: His Holiness The Dalai Lama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfHREKEGo0c 

  

Sources

Oprah and Dali Lama.  Retrieved March 7, 2014 from http://mhcyoung.blogspot.ca/2011/08/tgr.html

 

 

 

2013 GSWS: His Holiness The Dalai Lama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfHREKEGo0c