1. Effective Communication 101 Life and Learning Workshop September 24, 2007 Presented by: Melanie Bentley-Cruz Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement

2. Presentation Overview Two opening activities Ways we communicate Barriers to communication Overcoming those barriers Listening Questions, comments, concerns

3. What is Effective Communication? Cingular Commercial YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4nIUcRJX9-o http://youtube.com/watch?v=4nIUcRJX9-o What does this tell us about communication?

4. Activity- Thanks for Coming Listen to the instructions What did you notice? How does this activity help us to understand communication?

5. Ways We Communicate Writing- resumes, cover letters, professional letters, emails, facebook, MySpace Talking- public speaking, face-to-face, cell phone messages, interviews, voice mail Listening Non-verbals

6. Barriers to Communication Physical barriers- yelling across the hall, communicating from different locations Perceptual barriers- we all see the world differently Emotional barriers- withholding thoughts and feelings Cultural barriers- group behaviors Language barriers- not everyone is familiar with all languages or jargon

7. Ways to overcome these barriers Physical barriers- try to use face-to-face communication frequently Perceptual barriers- recognize we have different values and try to recognize where the person is speaking from Emotional barriers- try to build trust

8. Cultural barriers- recognize differences in meaning, pacing, volume and gesture, space, and touch Language barriers- learn more about different cultures, relax, try to find a place where there are not many additional stimuli to take away from the exchange of messages - ask what people need in order to communicate most effectively - Solicit feedback

9. Tips and Tricks Assess who you are speaking to -peer, professor, co-worker, boss, family If possible- PLAN Check on non-verbal and simple errors In conflict, focus on the problem, not the person Listen and be honest with yourself

10. Assertiveness Assertiveness- expressing thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in a direct and honest way. Use “I” statements “I” statements include 3 parts: -Feelings, behavior, effect -Let’s create an “I” statement!

11. Listening “We were given two ears but only one mouth, because listening is twice as hard as talking." How to listen: -Attending -Paraphrasing -Clarifying - Perception checking Make active listening a habit (it takes 21 days to turn something into a habit!)

12. Thank You Questions? Comments?

13. Resources for this presentation Oklahoma Family Voices http://okvoices.org/communication.html http://okvoices.org/communication.html ManageTrainLead http://hodu.com/barriers.shtml http://hodu.com/barriers.shtml People Skills by Robert Bolton, Ph.D. How to Communicate by McKay, Davis, and Fanning

14. The Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement Located at 235 Student Union Open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Provides information on leadership development and community engagement. Check out our website for more information: http://www.leadership.buffalo.edu

15. Additional Resources in the SLCE Our resource center has several resources on effective communication. These include: People Skills by Robert Bolton, Ph.D. Face-to-Face Communications by Harvard Business School Press Listening: The Forgotten Skill by Burley-Allen Listen Up- Hear What Really is Being Said (VHS) Be Prepared to Speak (VHS) Lincoln on Communication (DVD) …. And many more!

16. Additional Opportunities through the SLCE S.O.U.L.- An online and interactive program to teach about the basics of leadership. Check out: http://www.leadership.buffalo.edu/soul.shtml http://www.leadership.buffalo.edu/soul.shtml Stay Up UB- November 16-17 th Leadership Week- October 29 th - November 3 rd Check out: http://www.leadership.buffalo.edu/leadweek. shtml http://www.leadership.buffalo.edu/leadweek. shtml