The term Human Relations refers to relationships between people.
The relationship can be formal or informal, close or distant, emotional or unemotional.
Interpersonal communication skills are the tools we use to let others know what we think, feel, need, and want.
And they are how we let others know that we understand what they think, feel, need, and want.
Communication is the activity of conveying information, thoughts, and ideas.
Communication requires:
a sender a message intended recipient / receiver
Includes both the spoken and written word
The communication process is complete once the receiver has understood the sender.
Exchange of information using words.
Includes both the spoken or written word.
Expresses more of the meaning of a message than verbal communication
Understanding the message
1. 7% by spoken word
2. 38% by the tone of the voice
3. 55% by body language
Humans pride themselves on their seemingly unique ability to verbalize feelings and ideas.
While the mouth tells one story, gestures and posture may tell a different story.
1. Express variety of feelings
Contempt
Hostility
Approval
Affection
2. Can be used in addition to words
3. Differ by culture
Gestures should be observed in clusters to provide a more accurate picture of person being observed
Each gesture is like a sentence
The sum total of postures and gestures relate a non-verbal story
Behavioral scientists have found that some basic communication gestures are universal and believed to be inherent
Examples are: smiling, shrugging, nodding
Children tend to exaggerate these gestures making their body language easy to read
1. Unconscious barrier between you and the receiver – crossing arms
2. Sign of disbelief - scratching the chin
3. Good health and positive attitude – shown by erect posture
4. Fatigue -slumped posture
5. Angry - clenched fist
6. Anxiety - clearing the throat
7. Assertiveness - pointing finger
8. Boredom - leaning on one's elbow with the chin in the hand
9. Boredom - wiggling a foot
10. Concealing something - no eye contact
11. Defiant - hands on hips
12. Dominance - sitting backwards on a chair
13. Doubtful - touching ear
14. Everything under control - thumbs in belt or pants
15. Expectation - rubbing palms
16. Feeling superior - hands behind one's back
17. Guilt - lowering the eyes
18. Honesty - open palms occasionally touching the chest
19. Impatience - tapping or drumming fingers
20. Insecurity - biting fingernails
21. Interest in someone or something - tilted head
22. Lack of confidence - failing to look someone in the eyes
23. Lying - touches face
24. Making a decision - stroking chin
25. Needing reassurance - hand to throat
26. Nervous - fiddling with items
27. Readiness - standing with hands on hips
28. Rejecting what is being said - rubbing nose
29. Unconcerned - leg swung over chair
30. Unwilling - arms crossed tightly across chest
1. Most expressive part of the body
2. Seven universally accepted emotions shown
fear anger surprise contempt disgust happiness sadness
1. Often initiates communication
2. Good contact means respect, a willingness to listen, and to keep communication open
3. Looking away means anxiety, defenselessness, or avoidance of communication
4. Cultural Differences
a. view eye contact as an invasion of privacy b. eye contact considered disrespectful
Healthy people with good self-esteem pay attention to dress and grooming
People feeling ill show much less interest in appearance and dress
Multiple meanings
positive message: affirmation, reassurance, share warmth, approval and emotional support
negative message: anger, frustration, punishment, invasion of personal space
Survey of Nonverbal Impressions
Photographs
The message must be clear
1. Use terms that the receiver can understand
2. Know the developmental level of the other person and use language appropriate to that level.
3. Deliver the message in a clear and concise manner
Good grammar and correct pronunciation are essential
Avoid slang terms, words with double meanings, or meaningless phrases such as
“you know”, or “all that stuff”
The tone and pitch of voice are important
Do not speak too fast or too slowly
Written communication - the message should be spelled correctly, contain correct grammar, proper punctuation, and it should be concise.
4. The receiver must be able to hear and receive the message
People may be heavily medicated, have a hearing or vision loss, or speak a different language
Use alternate ways to communicate such as writing the message out, using an interpreter, or repeating the message
5. The receiver must be able to understand the message
Use terms the person understands
The person’s attitudes and prejudices may interfere with understanding
Your own attitudes and prejudices may interfere with understanding
6. Interruptions or distractions must be avoided
Trying to talk while answering the phone or writing a message will decrease the effectiveness of communication
Environmental factors may affect communication, (e.g. uncomfortable temperatures or loud noises such as a loud
TV or radio may interfere with communication)
1. Control the tone of your voice: convey interest instead of boredom, patience rather than anger
2. Be knowledgeable about the topic of conversation: be honest and confident
3. Be flexible: you may want to discuss a certain subject and the other person wants to discuss something else
4. Be clear and concise: stay on one subject at a time
5. Avoid words that might have different interpretations
6. Be truthful
7. Keep an open mind: others have valuable contributions
8. Take advantage of available opportunities
Listening
Silence
Offering Self
Reflection
Encouraging elaboration
General leading statements
Giving information
Open ended questions
Active listening is a foundation communication skill.
It is a primary assumption that the listener is trying to understand the speaker’s point of view or experience.
The following tips, though not always possible in a given moment or place, will aid our effort to hear and understand what the speaker is saying.
Be alert and relaxed and take sufficient time
Maintain eye contact
Indicate that you are paying attention to what the other person is saying
Find a good space
Respond vs React
“Hear” as well as listen
Be patient
Learn
Be kind
Follow their lead
Listen for content and emotion
Ask questions
Take the time to wait for the person to initiate or to continue speaking
Allow the person time to reflect on what has been said and to collect thoughts
Shows caring and concern
Shows readiness to help
Validating the meaning of what was communicated.
Encourages further verbalization
Used to elicit information about a subject
Helps the person clarify unclear thoughts or ideas
Used to get interaction started
Encourages the other person to continue or elaborate
Informs the person of specific, relevant information
Requires feedback to make sure the other person receives the correct information
Encourages elaboration rather than a 1 or 2 word answer
Creates an inviting atmosphere for sharing thoughts, and feelings
Don’t use cliches – offers false reassurance
Don’t use questions beginning with why or howputs the other person on the defensive
Don’t keep changing the subject – indication of not caring and ignoring the other person
Don’t use judgemental comments – belittles what the other person is feeling
Anything that gets in the way of clear communication.
Common Barriers:
Prejudices
Gender bias
Attitudes
Personality
Stereotypes
Cultural diversity
Physical Barriers
Dear Dad,
$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and
$tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can’t think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.
Love,
Your $on
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Son,
I kNOw that astroNOmy, and ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.
Love,
Dad
A set of rules we all agree to follow in order to be considerate toward others
It is a question of awareness of how your actions affect others.
Simple guidelines of common courtesy
Contribute to a more polite society
Just a matter of being considerate of others
Modulate your voice.
Use your “inside voice”: a quiet conversational tone.
There is no need to shout into or at a phone.
Cell phones have sensitive microphones that can pick up a very soft voice while blocking out ambient noise.
10-foot Proximity Rule
Maintain a distance of at least 10 feet from the nearest person when taking on a cell phone.
Don’t force others to overhear your personal business.
Bystanders can hear the steady streams of shocking and confidential revelations that are blurted out by cell phone users.
Private issues should be kept private.
Forcing others to hear your phone conversations is an intrusion on their thoughts.
Imposes, infringes, intrudes
Keep your conversation private.
Love the One You’re With
Avoid taking calls when you’re already engaged in a face-to-face conversation.
Gives the impression that you do not value the person in front of you
It is inconsiderate to take a call in the middle of a conversation.
Never take a personal call during a business meeting.
This includes interviews and meetings with coworkers or subordinates
If you must take a call, ask permission of the people with you.
The same principle applies when you are ordering food.
Give the waiter your attention.
Don’t just point to a menu item and shake your head.
The same set of rules for texting during faceto-face conversations – it is rude
Ear plugs
Many are near invisible
People cannot tell if you are talking to them, someone on the cell, or your invisible friend
Keep it Short.
Keep public conversations brief.
You can get back to the caller when you’re not in a public place.
Lights Out, Phones Off
Put your phone’s ringer on “silent” in theaters, courtrooms, places of worship, and restaurants.
Don’t light up your phone’s screen in a dark theater.
If you forget to turn your phone off or set it to silent, don’t answer it if it rings – turn it off immediately.
You can leave the room and return the call.
Just let the caller leave you a message, and get back to them later.
No Talking Zones
Elevators, libraries, museums, restaurants, cemeteries, theaters, medical offices, and enclosed public spaces
Avoid annoying ring tones.
Not everyone appreciates hearing your favorite song or obnoxious ringtones when your phone signals that you have a call.
Programming your phone so that a caller will hear a music selection instead of a simple ring tone can be a source of aggravation to the caller.
Keep it simple
Hang up and drive.
Multitasking isn’t always a good thing.
Most calls can wait until you’ve reached your destination.
If the call is upsetting, it will affect your ability to drive safely
Technology and manners are compatible.
Inform your friends that you have adopted
“Mobile Manners.”
Encourage them to do the same.