Message Passing – a Part of Good Communication What is message passing? Why is it hard? Being accurate with our communication is a skill that all communicators work at throughout our lives.

Key aspects of effective communication: Using accurate words. Combining those words with other signals. Building communication as a two-way street. Working at clarification.

USING ACCURATE WORDS. Activity: Group description of an object. How many different ways can you refer to this object without using its regular name?

USING ACCURATE WORDS. Lesson: Using accurate words is a start, but it is not enough. We have to make sure the other person ‘gets it.’

COMBINING THOSE WORDS WITH OTHER SIGNALS. Activity: Joke time Example: Chandi and Anoja How many ways can you let your facilitator know that you are saying something more than your words or different from your words?

COMBINING THOSE WORDS WITH OTHER SIGNALS. Lesson: Using your facial expression or body language helps to show your intent and verifies the true meaning of the message.

BUILDING COMMUNICATION AS A TWO-WAY STREET. Activity: Typing from a list of similar words. How do you know when you are typing what the facilitator intends? What can you do about it?

BUILDING COMMUNICATION AS A TWO-WAY STREET. Lesson: You need to have a way to protect your message, your communication. This is called a protest strategy. We all use it.

WORKING AT CLARIFICATION. Activity: Play the game of ‘I spy.’ Advocate for your process and message. Ask questions. Look for clues that say a mistake has been made. Take time to gather good information toward an ‘educated’ guess.

Activity: Object in a bag. MESSAGE PASSING: A GOAL FOR EVERYONE Activity: Object in a bag. Now use all the skills that you have learned and try to tell your facilitator what was placed in the bag. Name it, or describe it. Use your whole body. Don’t forget to protect your message. Good luck and have fun.

Message Passing and Validation Three levels spontaneous - informal - formal levels are sequential dependent on positive opportunity formal protocol should draw from positive research formal protocol should develop from dialog between communicator and supporters - what works best.