Download Communication Skills

Communication Skills
Communication Skills
Skills that help a person share thoughts,
feelings and information with others.
There are several different ways to
communicate
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Not everyone is comfortable communicating
in the same ways
Brainstorm some ways that you can
communicate with other people.
Verbal vs. Non Verbal
Activity – Non Verbal Communication
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Without talking
Activity – Verbal Communication
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Someone giving directions
Non Verbal Communication
The use of actions or body language to
express feelings or thoughts.
Cues
Body Language
Eye Contact
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People are observant…
Non verbal communication can cause
trouble…How?
Expressing yourself clearly
Do not expect others to know what you
mean or want to say…
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Use I-messages… “I feel…because…”
“I am in a difficult situation because you didn’t
return my book to me before class today. Now if
the teacher calls on me to read, I won’t be able to,
and Mrs. Clark will think I’m not prepared for
class.”
I-messages give another person a chance to
respond
Expressing yourself clearly
You-messages – a statement that blames
another person for a situation or problem

“You did this…you are stupid…”
“I can’t believe you forgot my book. You are so
stupid! Can’t you do anything right?”
You-messages do not give the other person a
chance to respond in a positive way.
You-messages put people on the defensive
Listening to the other person
Active Listening – the way you respond
during a conversation to show the speaker
you understand what he or she is saying.
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Active Listening
Brainstorm some ideas of how to show a person
you are paying attention…
Understanding each other
Active Listening
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Clarifying a response – asking for more info
Restating a response – repeat what he/she
said
Summarizing a response – summarize the
main idea
Affirming a response – state your appreciation
for what the speaker has said
When you don’t listen
You run the risk of hurting someone’s feelings.
You risk making that person feel unimportant.
You could harm your relationship with that
person

Reasons people tune out
Thinking of someone/something else
Could not hear the speaker
Tired or dozing off
Thinking about what you were going to say next
Heard a distracting noise
Thought you knew what the speaker was going to say next
5 Minute Check
1. What is nonverbal communication? Give an
example.
2. Hat is the difference between an I-message
and a You-message.
3. Why is sending a mixed message poor
communication?
4. Why is listening an important part of
communication skills?
5. How could you tell someone you are too
distracted to actively listen to him/her?