An overview of interpersonal communications “Get out of my office!!!” An overview of interpersonal communications

Interpersonal communications Let’s start with taking the IC skills inventory and analyze our own interpersonal skills. https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/wicworks/Sharing_Center/CT/Inventory.pdf

Results & Analysis Section 1: Sending Clear Messages Section 2: Total Listening Section 3: Giving & Getting Feedback Section 4: Handling Emotional Interactions

Results & Analysis A. Scores 1 to 15: needs improvement B. Scores 16 to 21: needs more consistent attention C. Scores 22 to 30: strength or potential strength

What did you think of your results? Were they accurate?

Views of IC & Definitions Quantitative View defines interpersonal communication as interaction between two people, usually face-to-face.

Views of IC & Definitions Qualitative viewpoint defines interpersonal communications as when people treat one another as unique individuals, regardless of the context in which the interaction occurs or the number of people involved.

Views of IC & Definitions The qualitative viewpoint defines IC with two features: A. Uniqueness B. Social roles

Views of IC & Definitions Example – you might joke with one person and laugh as you insult them and the other person you probably would not laugh at them as you might hurt their feelings (uniqueness & social roles).

Views of IC & Definitions As a manger or leader of a company, would you choose one view over the other and why?

The Process of Communication Let’s play the good ole game of telephone and see what message appears at the end 

The Process of Communication Let’s review the process of a linear perception of communication. Sender creates message Words encodes the message Message transmission Message goes through a channel Receiver obtains the message

Wouldn’t it be nice if communication was that easy Wouldn’t it be nice if communication was that easy? Do you think as being a manager, would it be easy to communicate with the linear communication model?

Doesn’t it seem most communication is chaotic????

Transactional Model In our busy overpopulated with gadgets, tools, noise, and multiple communication channels we obtain the Transactional Model of Communication.

The Process of Communication Now, let’s integrate the transactional model of communication as we play telephone again.

Recap of the Models With the information presented thus far, how do you think from your point-of-view, communication in the workplace could be improved?

Interpersonal Communication Stats “74 percent of employees are disconnected and feel that they’re missing out on company information and news.”

Interpersonal Communication Stats “E-mail communication - more than half of the global workforce does not have a corporate email address and cannot be easily reached by email. Also, as people are sending and receiving 122 business emails per day on average, it’s become difficult for important company news and communication to cut through the noise.”

Interpersonal Communication Stats Interesting that the previous statistic mentioned “cutting through noise” part of the transactional model.

Interpersonal Communication Stats “...over 75 million working Americans are hourly-wage workers, performing desk-less work...”

Interpersonal Communication Stats “...97 percent of people 18 to 34, and 94 percent of people 35 to 49 had access to smartphones...”

Interpersonal Communication Stats Statistic Source: https://dynamicsignal.com/2017/07/10/state-workplace-communications-companies-struggle-reach-employees-todays-disconnected-widely-distributed-workforce/

Interpersonal Communication Stats If a large part of your employees are “desk-less” then how do you communicate to them? Are you using technology?

When We Communicate In my experiences, it seems when we communicate as HR managers it is due to one of the following: A. Conflict B. Conflict C. Conflict...oh also open enrollment 

The Impact of Language The language that we use will impact our abilities to communicate.

Language of Responsibility “It” Statements Replaces “it” with the personal pronoun I. Using it statements avoid responsibility for message ownership

Language of Responsibility Have you heard or said this before... It bothers me when you’re late. It’s a boring class.

Language of Responsibility Do you think using “it” statements will help us as managers communicate a message?

Language of Responsibility “But” statements Confusing Cancels the thought that precedes it

Language of Responsibility What about this statement? “You’ve done good work for us, but we’re going to have to let you go.”

Language of Responsibility “I” and “You” Language I language accepts responsibility. You language expresses judgement of the other person.

Language of Responsibility How do you feel when you hear... You didn’t keep your promise! Don’t be so critical! Your desk is a mess!

Language of Responsibility “We” language implies the issue is the concern and responsibility of both the speaker and receiver of the message.

Communication Strategies The next few slides will define strategies that will help us communicate change to employees.

Communication Strategies 1. Spray & Pray Executives shower employees with a lot of information, hoping that employees will be able to sort out the significant from insignificant data.

Communication Strategies 2. Tell and Sell Executives communicate a more limited set of messages, first telling employees about the key issues, then selling them on the change.

Communication Strategies 3. Underscore & Explore Executives focus on developing a few core messages clearly linked to organizational success, while actively listening for potential misunderstandings and unrecognized obstacles of the change.

Communication Strategies Identify & Reply Executives identify key employee concerns and then reply to them concerning the change.

Communication Strategies Withhold & Uphold Executives withhold information until necessary. Secrecy and control are the implicit values of this strategy to communicate change.