Communication skills Among personal qualities possessed by college graduates the ability to communicate effectively was ranked first by employers. From a survey of 480 companies and public organizations conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. WSJ, Dec 29,

Communication Outcomes Describe the communication process. List typical barriers to effective communication. Contrast the differences between the grapevine and rumors. Discuss other considerations for effective communication. 2

Communication Efficient communication is ESSENTIAL to being successful in life. The biggest source of interpersonal problems is poor communications. The key to the communication process is to be UNDERSTOOD. 3

Communication The aim of communication is the transference and understanding of information between two or more people. Communication must always be between two or more people, one the sender and the other receiver. You participate in both roles and your role will change alternatively and frequently in conversation. 4

Communication Feedback We may say that communication has occurred only when the message has been understood. Understanding occurs in the mind of the receiver. Feedback is critical to ensure that accurate understanding of the message has occurred. 5

Barriers to Communication Barriers to accurate communication Unfamiliar language – including dialects and accents Improper timing – Is the boss distracted today? Noise and distractions in the environment Attitude of both the source and the receiver Differences between people – gender, age, culture, education, intelligence, etc. Relationship between the sender and the receiver – status, boss-employee, parent-child, etc. 6

Barriers to Communications Filtering – manipulation of information so that it will seem more favorably to the receiver. Selective Perception – receiver hears message based on his/her interests, needs, motivations, experience, background and other personal characteristics. Defensiveness – response when receiver interprets message as threatening Language – Words mean different things to different people. 7

Communication Communication occurs in three directions in organizations Upward communications Downward communications Lateral communications 8

I Heard It on the Grapevine The grapevine is an informal communication network within an organization. Research reflects that about 75 % of the communication in the grapevine is accurate. 9

Rumors Response to situations that are IMPORTANT to us, and There is AMBIGUITY between what is going on and what was said, and Under conditions that arouse ANXIETY, such as time off, pay programs, layoffs, etc. 10

Suggestions for Reducing the Negative Consequences of Rumors Announce timetables for making important decisions Explain decisions and behaviors that may appear inconsistent or secretive Emphasize the downside, as well as the upside, of current decisions and future plans. Openly discuss worst case possibilities – it is almost never as anxiety provoking as the unspoken fantasy. 11

Communications – Did you know? People remember: 10 percent of what they read 20 percent of what they hear 30 percent of what they see 50 percent of what they see and hear 80 percent of what they say 90 percent of what they say and do 12

The Ten Commandments of Good Communication Seek to clarify your ideas before communicating Examine the true purpose of each communication Consider the total physical and human setting Consult with others in planning communications Be mindful of the overtones as well as the basic content of your message Take the opportunity to convey something of help or value to the receiver Follow-up your communication Communicate for tomorrow as well as today Be sure your actions support your communications Seek not only to be understood but to understand - be a good listener 13

Summary Successful communication requires understanding by the receiver. The communication process model includes a source, a message, encoding, a channel, decoding, a receiver, and, especially feedback. Communication in organizations occurs in upward, downward, and lateral directions. 14

Conclusions The key to the communication process is to have understanding on the part of the receiver. There are many barriers to good communications that must be overcome for communications to be successful. Learn to be an active listener as part of successful communications. 15

Final thoughts Communicating to be understood and being a good listener are crucial. Another important aspect of communication is to think about what you are saying before you say it. Today’s communications set the tone for tomorrow’s relationships. 16

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