PROFESSIONALISM AND COMMUNICATION Modified from Rutgers Learning Centers Presented by Rutu Dave

COMMUNICATION

CAN YOU DRAW THE PATTERN? ▪ Break into groups and choose a leader. The leader gets a complicated pattern and must position himself so he is facing away from other participants. Leader must describe the pattern only using words, without hand motions or gestures. Participants draw the picture from leader's description.

COMPONENTS OF COMMUNICATION ▪ Communication can break down with the sender, the receiver, or the message. ▪ Can you describe a time when you experienced poor communication? Can you identify where communication broke down? Sender Receiver Message

CONTEXT ▪ Communication is affected by the context in which it takes place. ▪ Context may be physical, social, chronological or cultural. ▪ The sender chooses the message to communicate within a context. ▪ Professional Contexts ▪ Workplace ▪ Research Labs ▪ Classrooms/Office Hours ▪ Student Organizations ▪ Anything related to schooling or profession *Maintaining professionalism will help to make positive impression on those around you

VERBAL COMMUNICATION AND BODY LANGUAGE

VERBAL COMMUNICATION Tone: Professional communications should only convey positive emotions such as enthusiasm or excitement (but don’t over-do it!). Negative tones, no matter how well-deserved they may be, are inappropriate in a professional setting. Word Choice: Try to find a balance between how you speak to your friends and how you write an essay. Don’t use offensive language such as curse words or discriminatory phrases. Be cognizant of language that may represent a different meaning in different cultures (ex. Pointing, thumbs up) Clarity Before speaking ask yourself: “What is the purpose of my statement?” Don’t get lost in the details if what you really need to do is communicate your main idea.

LETS REVISIT THE DEBATING PHRASES Stating an opinion ▪ In my opinion... ▪ I think that... ▪ I feel that... ▪ I believe that... ▪ It seems to me that... ▪ If you ask me... ▪ The point is... ▪ As I see it... Agreeing with someone ▪ You're right ▪ I agree entirely ▪ I think so, too ▪ I agree with you ▪ I couldn't agree more ▪ That's a good point ▪ I see what you mean ▪ That's just what I was thinking

THESE ARE THE HARDER ONES Disagreeing with someone ▪ Yes, but... ▪ I'm sorry but I have to disagree with… ▪ Up to a point, but... ▪ I'm not sure I quite agree ▪ Well, you have a point there, but... ▪ Perhaps, but don't you think that... ▪ I see what you mean, but... Persuading someone ▪ You must admit that... ▪ Do you really believe that...? ▪ Don't you think that...? ▪ Don't you agree that...? ▪ Wouldn't you say that the reverse is also true?

CAN YOU SAY THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS WITH A POSITIVE TONE? 1.That’s not true! 2.You’re not making sense. 3.Why would you even think that? 4.I don’t see why this is useful.

IMAGINE THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE ARE TALKING TO YOU. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE PICTURE?

Don’t hold items (such as water bottle, microphones, etc.) close to your chest. It makes you appear guarded and tense.

Eye contact is important in all scenarios. It builds trust and demonstrates your focus on the conversation.

Good posture helps to communicate your confidence.

Keep your movements calm and controlled. Fidgeting demonstrates anxiety and makes you seem unsure of yourself and sometimes untrustworthy.

1.Don’t fold your arms. It makes you appear withdrawn and sometimes uninterested. 2.Don’t turn sideways to a person. It communicates that you want to get away or put up a barrier between the two of you.

APPROPRIATE BODY LANGUAGE Good body language communicates confidence, comfort, and focus

COMMUNICATION SUMMARIZED ▪ Be aware of non-verbal communication ▪ When listening, give your undivided attention ▪ Avoid “weak-speak” ▪ Avoid using filler words ▪ Avoid obscenities, profane language, “school talk”, and offensive talk ▪ Be aware of speed-talking

PROPER ATTIRE ▪ Subtlety is the best policy ▪ Limit makeup and fragrance ▪ Cover up: avoid overly tight, short, low-cut, or revealing clothes ▪ Nametag placement: ▪ upper left side

PROFESSIONALISM DON’T’S ▪ Tennis shoes ▪ Visible tattoos ▪ T-shirts ▪ Long nails ▪ Wrinkled clothing ▪ Jeans ▪ Baggy clothes ▪ Excessive make-up ▪ Untucked shirts ▪ Sweatpants ▪ Logos or letters ▪ Glittery anything ▪ Facial piercings ▪ Heavy perfume/cologne ▪ Loud/Colors ▪ Excessive Jewelry

ANY POINTS OF INQUIRY?