Communication Leadership Skill Area This project is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC)

What is communication? The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information Through the use of speech, signals, writing, or behavior Most communication is interpersonal This means that it occurs between 2 or more people

Ways to Communicate Verbal Non-verbal Written Visual Face-to-face, telephone, groups Non-verbal Body language, gestures, actions, how we dress Written Letters, books, internet Visual Graphs, logos, signals There are several different ways one can communicate. We typically think of communication via the verbal method. This is when we communicate with our thoughts and feelings via vocalization. This can occur face-to-face, in a group, or over telephone for example. Another method that we frequently use, but do not always consider, is our non-verbal communication. These are visual signals we send to other people through the way we look or act. Sometimes our messages get lost in translation if our verbal and non-verbal messages do not match. Similarly, we can increase our chances of getting our messages through if we utilize both of these methods properly. Written communication uses language produced visually. This means words are written on paper or on a screen. Visual communication, as described here, is more picture representation of some message.

The Communication Pathway Message Encode Decode Environment Context Perception Barriers Source Receiver This shows that the source decides how to communicate their message to the person they wish to receive it. Notice that this pathway shows communication as bidirectional. This is not always the case, or not always as obvious as people speaking back and forth to one another. For example, two friends may be in a room sharing information with one another. This is an obvious case of bidirectional communication. A person may be giving a speech to an audience. While they participants may not be asked to verbally respond, their behavior is sending messages to the speaker about whether or not they are getting their message through. This is still bidirectional, but not as obvious. However, if it is possible that a person writes a letter to someone. In that moment, the communication is not bidirectional, unless the other person responds. Decode Encode Feedback

Communication & Leadership Many definitions of leadership include interacting with other people All interactions occur through some form of communication In order to lead, we need our messages to get through clearly If people do not feel understood, or cannot understand you, they will: Feel frustrated, ignore you, feel excluded, do something unrelated to your goal If people do feel understood, and can understand you, they will: Feel included, work harder, be more likely to achieve goals Communication in leadership does not just mean being able to communicate TO others, but understanding what others are trying to communicate to you. It is said that we only listen to about 25% of what people are saying to us. It is easier to get people behind your message if they feel that you are willing to understand their point of view as well. Similarly, if you cannot effectively get your message or information to others, people will not be able to reach the common goal.

“Let’s Guess” Activity We are going to have the group help one person guess an object that they cannot see. Choose one person from the group Blindfold them, or turn them away from the other group members Other group members choose an object in the room Take turns describing the LOOKS of the object Do NOT say what it is used for Example: Pencil

What did you learn? What did you and your group members need to think about before giving your clue? What strategies do you think helped the most? Why? What strategies did not work out so well? Why? How can this skill help you at school and work?

“Don’t Drop It” Activity We are going to work as a team to carry a pencil without making a sound. Break into teams of 2 or 3 Each team take a pencil and go to one end of the room Teams must hold the pencil with just their pointer finger (NO bending fingers) Your group CANNOT talk – starting NOW! Pick the pencil off of the floor, go to the other end of the room, and place the pencil on the floor If you drop it, or use something more than your one finger, start at the beginning Take your time and work together. This is not a race!

What did you learn? What type of communication did you use? What was the most difficult part of this activity? What could you and your partner have done better, or what do you think you both did well? How can these skills help you at school and work?