Effective Communication
com·mu·ni·ca·tion
\ kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən \
: a process by which information is
exchanged between individuals
through a common system of
symbols, signs, or behavior.
Why?
Effective communication helps us better
understand a person or situation and enables us
to resolve differences and build trust and respect.
Why Effective Communication?
1) The ability to effectively communicate with others is
one of the most important tools for professional and
personal success.
2) Effective communication can help you influence others.
3) Your capacity to communicate is often seen as an
indicator of your ability and intelligence.
80% of workplace issues are
communication related.
Elements of Personal Communication
7%
Words/Verbal
38%
Body Language
55%
Tone
Dr. Albert Mehrabian
If words disagree with the tone of voice and
nonverbal behavior, people tend to believe
the tonality and nonverbal behavior.
Dr. Albert Mehrabian
Listening
Active Listening
• More than just hearing someone speak.
• You fully concentrate on what is being said.
• You listen with all your senses and give your full
attention to the person speaking.
Are you an active listener?
Nonverbal Communication
Improve how you read nonverbals!
1. People watching
2. Be aware of individual differences
3. Look at nonverbal signals as a whole
Managing Stress
Managing Stress
1) When is stress in the workplace good?
2) When not good?
3) How do you deal with stress?
4) How does stress affect your communication?
Tips to Manage Stress in the Moment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Recognize when you’re stressed
Identify your stress response
Bring your senses to the rescue
Find sensory inspiration
Make quick stress relief a habit
Practice wherever you are
Stress Tolerance
•
•
•
•
Exercise
Do more of the “good things”
Relax
Respond to today
Emotional Awareness
Why?
• Understand and empathize with what is troubling
others.
• Understand yourself – what is really troubling you and
what do you really want?
• Helps you at times when you have to deliver bad news.
Social Distancing
Remember!
Social distancing is a key strategy to prevent
transmission, but it can come at a social and
mental-health cost: it can further our sense of
isolation from one another and make us forget
that we're in this together. Keep in touch!
Keep Spirits Up!
During COVID-19
• The more effort you put into communicating with
colleagues, the better chance you have of avoiding
feelings of isolation, which can lead to depression.
• Keep up as much face-to-face interaction online as
possible through video calls and regular manager
check-ins.
Develop Your Emotional Awareness
Emotional Awareness can be learned and developed.
Once strongly developed, you’ll know what you’re
feeling without having to think about it and you’ll be
able to use those emotional cues to more accurately
read others.
Communicating During COVID-19
Behavioral Communication
Style Evaluation
Behavioral Communication Styles
OPEN
Steady
Relater
Socializer
INDIRECT
Conscientious
Influencing
DIRECT
Thinker
Director
GUARDED
Dominant
Resources
• A leader’s guide: Communicating with teams, stakeholders,
and communities during COVID-19
Ana Mendy, Mary Lass Stewart, Kate VanAkin. April 2020.
• Quick Stress Relief
Jeanne Segal, Melinda Smith, Lawrence Robinson. March 2020.
Resources
• Behavioral Communication Style Evaluation
Based on the work of Tony Alessandra
• 8 Great Tricks For Reading People’s Body Language
Travis Bradberry, Ph.D., TALENTSMART