Communication Skills

What Is Communication?
The transfer and understanding of the meaning or a two way process in which we have two parties; a sender with a message or a question and a receiver to whom this message should be transmitted. This receiver should give the sender feedback that conveys his/her correct understanding of the message, and it is the sender who decides whether the communication is effective or not. The reader can only read your document, and not your mind.

Types of Communication Communication can be classified in the following different ways. Intrapersonal Communication The first steps in communication must start with the inner self. In order to understand other and to understand the world, you must understand yourself. This stage in the process of communication is too much often underestimated, causing trouble when we feel we cannot understand other people and we cannot communicate with them. Think about it this way. You start a conversation, but you do not know what to want from the other and soon you become frustrated, because you start to feel that the other cannot understand where you are driving at. Remember, other people cannot read our minds, we are the ones that must translate the things we think so that the others can understand us. How can this be possible if you are not clear about what you think and what you want in the first place? When people talk to themselves, communication takes place within the brain. It embraces their thoughts, experiences and perceptions during a communication event. Behavior responses on all other levels of communication essentially begin on intrapersonal level. On this level, the individual forms personal rules and patterns of communication. Intrapersonal communication encompasses: Sense-making e.g. interpreting maps, texts, signs, and symbols Interpreting non-verbal communication e.g. gestures, eye contact Communication between body parts; e.g. My stomach is telling me its time for lunch. Day-dreaming Nocturnal dreaming and Many others...

Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal communication is also referred to as dyadic communication, or communication between two individuals. This type of communication can occur in both a one-on-one and a group setting. This also means being able to handle different people in different situations and making people feel at ease. Gestures such as eye contact, body movement, and hand gestures are

also part of interpersonal communication. The most common functions of interpersonal communication are listening, talking and conflict resolution. Types of interpersonal communication vary from verbal to non-verbal and from situation to situation. Interpersonal communication involves face-to-face communication in a way that accomplishes the purpose and is appropriate.

Small Group Communication Small group communication is an interaction process that occurs among three or more people interacting in an attempt to achieve commonly recognized goals either face-to-face or through mediated forms. This is sometimes included in the interpersonal level the most obvious difference is the number of persons involved in the process. The small group may be a family of three talking at supper, or a meeting of an organization with just a few members.

Public Communication or Public Speaking The speaker sends messages to an audience, which is not identified as individuals. Unlike the previous levels, the speaker is doing most, if not all, of the talking.

Mass Communication Mass communication occurs when a small number of people send messages to a large anonymous and usually heterogeneous audience using specialized communication media. It represents the creation and sending of a homogeneous message to a large heterogeneous audience through the media.

Organizational Communication All the patterns, network, and systems of communications within an organization Formal Communication Communication that follows the official chain of command or is part of the communication required to do ones job. Informal Communication Is communication that is not defined by the organizations hierarchy. Permits employees to satisfy their need for social interaction. Can improve an organizations performance by creating faster and more effective channels of communication.

Non-Verbal Communication In non-verbal communication, people send messages to each other without talking. They communicate through facial expressions, head positions, arm and hand movements, body posture, and positioning of legs and feet. How people use space also transmits a message. By being aware of non-verbal communication, one can interpret the signals of others, or send signals to others. Awareness of non-verbal communication helps people: Project an image of confidence and knowledge. Demonstrate power or influence Express sincerity, interest and cooperativeness. Create trust. Recognize personal tension in self and others. Identify discrepancies between what people are saying and what they are actually thinking. Change behavior and environment to encourage productive discussion.

You spend much of your life interacting. Everyday, you talk to many different people for different reasons. You choose different words and ways of speaking depending on who you are talking to. You change your communication style depending on:

Also, you can alter the meaning of your message by changing your:

Enhancing your communications Because gestures can both compliment and contradict your message, be mindful of these. Eye contact is an important step in sending and receiving messages. Eye contact can be a signal of interest, a signal of recognition, even a sign of honesty and credibility. Closely linked to eye contact are facial expressions, which can reflect attitudes and emotions. Posture can also be used to more effectively communicate your message. Clothing is important. By dressing for your job, you show respect for the values and conventions of your organization.

Communication channels Face-to-face Written Telephone Face-to-face: -Require an immediate response -Need to discuss multiple topics -need to discuss difficult or sensitive issues -Want to express appreciation or give recognition

Written:

-Require proof that communication occurred -Follow up on Face-to-face communication -Need to explain technical or complex information Telephone: -Need a fast response -Need to check status or provide a reminder -Require a more personal feel than written communication
-Build or maintain business relation ships

-Require immediate information from a different physical location. Activity of communication skills Identify techniques you use to communicate effectively in one of the following situations: When assessing an individual experiencing sight loss When conversing with an individual with a hearing impairment When teaching a skill to a child When supporting an individual who is distressed and tearful When confronted with an individual who is angry When providing information to an individual who has their whole family present. When providing mobility training

On Communication The truth isnt the truth until people believe you. And they cant believe you if they dont know what youre saying. And they cant know what youre saying if they dont listen to you. And they wont listen to you if youre not interesting. And you wont be interesting unless you say things imaginatively originally and freshly.