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Communication: A key
to opening doors
In the beginning you cried:
when you were hungry
when you were tired
when you were lonely
when your stomach hurt
You communicated to your parents
Even as a baby we develop facial expressions. Watch a baby
try a new food for the first time. By the baby’s facial
expression you can tell if he likes it or not.
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At 6 weeks of age babies communicate by
smiling
Somewhere between 18 months and two years
of age babies start to communicate by talking
Fortunately as we grow our communication
skills get better and we learn to:
Listen to others without interrupting
 Know when to offer advice and when not to
 Learn how to communicate effectively in
different situations
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Communication is a learned skill.
Speaking, listening, and our ability to
understand verbal and nonverbal
meanings are skills we develop in
various ways.
We learn to communicate by:
 Observing others
 Through education
What is communication?
“Communication focuses on how people use messages to
generate meanings within and across various contexts,
cultures, channels, and media.”
Communication Model
Methods of Communicating
Audio
Visual
Kinetic
Everyone has a dominant method. The trick is to
find out which is yours, and later on to find out
what the other person’s is.
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Having this skill will allow you to engage,
influence and persuade other people.
Audio learners learn best by listening.
Visual learners have to see something to believe it.
Kinetic or physical learners learn best by touching
or doing something physical.
Once you figure out whether you are talking to a
visual, audio or kinetic learner, use this as your
chief mode of expression with that person. They
will probably understand you better and will
respond more positively.
How do you perceive and how
do you process information? If
you know the answer to this, it
will help you better understand
how others use verbal and
nonverbal cues and help you
understand them better.
End Result………….Better Communication
Keeping a Communication Log
Study the ways and the time you spend
communicating.
Keep the log for one day and see how you
communicate and what is your best style.
Record how much time you spend on the internet,
watching television, reading, listen to the radio,
talking face to face and on the telephone and
emailing or writing letters.
Listen, Learn and Communicate
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People who listen are considered thoughtful,
nonjudgmental and easily approachable.
Listening is one of the most important skills you
can learn.
85 percent of what we know comes from
listening.
Listening is Receiving
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Listen with your eyes.
Avoid distractions while listening.
See things from the speakers point of view.
Relate the ideas to yourself.
Review the speaker’s points.
Don’t talk until the speaker is finished.
Respond nonverbally, nod your head.
Leading Small-Group Discussions
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Hold yourself slightly apart from the group.
Instead of joining the conversation keep the
group on track.
Support everyone’s ideas and promote mutual
respect.
Make sure all are heard without interruption.
All communication is directed to the group
leader.
Group Leaders are part coach, part referee,
and part impartial observer.
Watch for one
person dominating
the conversation
and keep an eye out
for shy individuals.
Guidelines for Leading Small Group
Discussion
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Introduce topic or task
Moderate the discussion
Control excessive talkers
 Guide group through the discussion format, no solutions
yet.
 Keep the group focused
 Encourage members to express different opinions
 Help all to compromise
 Watch your time
 Close the discussion, summarize main points
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Using Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication is simply messages
expressed without words.
 Eye Contact
 Facial Expressions
 Gestures, Posture, Body Movement
 Use of Space
 Appearance
Nonverbal Communication
Will a phone call do?
Not Always!
Formal Letters
Academic, business or professional
 Telephone Calls
Quick messages, making plans or finishing
business
 Email
Basic communication between friends, spreading
information
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Creative Ways to Describe Yourself
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Make up a collage
Write a short story about yourself
Write an autobiography
Create a series of drawings of yourself
When describing yourself keep it light. Be humble,
and don’t be afraid to poke fun at yourself. This
also serves as a good way to break the ice if you
are asked to speak in public.
The Five Minute Speech
Make up an outline.
A speech Is made up of:
 Introduction
 Body
 Conclusion
Know what you are going
to say and organize it well.
When you have finished the outline simply fill in
the details.
Write your speech out on index cards and practice
it in front of a mirror.
Ask your friends or family to listen to your speech
and give you pointers for improving it.
Building a successful sales plan
A sales plan is a persuasive speech in which
your objective is to get the audience to
buy your product or service.
1. Get their attention---what you have to say
is important.
2. Highlight a need. Explain the problem.
3. Propose a solution. Use evidence to
support your claim that you can solve the
problem with your product.
4. Help them to visualize the solution. Show
what happens when they buy your
product and when they don’t
Interviewing and Introducing a
Guest Speaker
Call your proposed guest and be prepared to take
notes.
If he agrees to speak, ask him about his
background.
Ask these questions:
What is your full name and professional title?
What are your duties?
What do you like best about your career?
What is the most difficult challenge you face in
your position?
Did you go to college or receive special training?
What do you enjoy doing when you are not
working?
Based on the answers write brief upbeat
introduction.
Careers in Communication
Public Relations, Theatre/Performing Arts,
Journalism, Radio and Television, Advertising,
and Communication Education