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Communicating with Others
Chapter 10
Communication – any means by which
you share a message with another person
• Words, gestures, a combination of the two
may be used. You may choose to write
your message.
• We are a part of the “communications
generation.” New technology is changing
our means of communicating everyday.
• Even with all the technology available, we
still must be able to communicate in a
clear concise manner that is easily
understood.
Poor communication accounts
for many misunderstandings
among friends, family members,
and even among nations.
Communication involves a sender
and a receiver.
Sender – transmits the message in
a variety of ways.
Receiver – hears and interprets
the message.
A message may be hard to understand if the
sender does not send clear accurate and
complete messages. The receiver needs
skills in listening and interpreting the
message.
Forms of Communication
• Verbal Communication – uses words
(writing, emailing, texting, speaking)
• Nonverbal Communication – uses
factors other than words (gestures, facial
expressions, eye contact, and body
movements)
Word of Caution!
• You may not always be aware of the
nonverbal messages you are sending, but
those around you may still receive
nonverbal messages from you.
Listening
• Listening skills are just as
important as skills in
sending messages.
• The way in which a
person listens affects the
quality of conversation.
• Good listeners can lead
others into deeper
conversation.
• Active Listening – nod,
smile, eye contact or any
other indication that a
message has been
received.
• Active listening
encourages further
communication.
• Feedback –
communicating to the
other person how you feel
about what was said
Passive listening – taking in words
and offering no sign of hearing or
understanding of the message being sent.
• The sender gets the message that it isn’t
worth trying to continue the conversation.
• Further communication is likely to be cut
off.
Other types of negative
communication/listening
• Careless listeners – pick out bits and pieces of
conversation and don’t listen to the rest. This
selective listening often causes people to take
words out of context.
• Narrow listeners – hear only what they want to
hear.
• Defensive listeners – read hostile meanings
into what is being said. They have negative
feelings because they think they’re being
attacked.
Listening cont’d.
• Listening is a skill that can be developed.
• If there seems to be a misunderstanding, it
is helpful to repeat what you’ve heard.
This allows the sender to clarify the
message.
• It is important to listen to the entire
message.
Empathy v. Sympathy
(Em – in) (Sym – with) (pathos – feeling)
• Empathy – the
process of seeing
things from another
person’s point of
view.
• You understand how
that person feels and
why, without
necessarily sharing
those feelings at the
same time.
• Sympathy – I feel as
you do.
• Sympathy is
sometimes resented.
• Empathy is more
likely to be
appreciated and
helpful.
Nonverbal Communication –
Body Language
• Drumming Fingers and swinging legs =
tension
• Smiling and nodding = enthusiasm
• Steepling fingers = authority and control
• Face to face contact = desire to
communicate
• Folded arms, movement away from and
turning away = barriers to communication
Body Language cont’d.
• In peak communication, eye contact is
maintained continually
Cultural Influences on
Communication
• People from various cultures have
characteristic patterns of nonverbal
communication.
• Some stand closer to each other, some
use their hands more often,
demonstrations of affection are different,
and some cultures are more reserved.
Your Appearance
• People form first impressions and lasting images
of you according to the way you look.
• If you want to create a good impression, you
should project a positive image.
• Not everyone is beautiful or handsome, but
everyone can be well-groomed.
• Good grooming habits show you care about
yourself and other people’s opinions of you.
• Even good quality clothing can create a poor
impression if it is soiled or wrinkled
Your Appearance cont’d.
• Your posture is a clue to your personality.
• Slumped shoulders, bowed head, eyes on
floor = wants to go unnoticed
• Lifted chin, squared shoulders =
confidence
• Employers have the right to demand
certain standards of grooming as they
evaluate job applicants.