Effective Communication


Face to Face Communication and Listening  |  Body Language  |  Meetings  |  Written Communication Including E-mail for Business  |  Use of Different Forms of Communication  |  General Effective Communication Tips  |  Potential for Miscommunication

Useful or interesting Links  |  Quiz/Tests

 

Face to Face Communication and Listening

Verbal face to face communication has three components: the words, the way the words are said, and body language. The words themselves are often not the most important. When talking about feelings and attitudes for example the words you use have little impact and far more important are your tone of voice and your body language.

 

Body Language

The way we hold and move our bodies and our facial expressions and eye movements reflect what we are feeling and thinking. It happens automatically and for the most part without our realizing it.

 

Meetings

If you are being asked to attend a meeting ensure you are clear about what the meeting is about and that you consider it necessary for you to attend. Don’t waste your time attending a meeting that you have little to add to or have little to get out of.

 

Written Communication Including E-mail for Business

Effective writing is important. The consequences of misunderstandings that can arise from poorly written communication can vary from the mildly inconvenient to the catastrophic.

 

Use of Different Forms of Communication

There are pros and cons of different forms of communication. Ensure you use a form that is appropriate to your desired purpose in wanting to communicate.

 

General Effective Communication Tips

Be clear about what you want to communicate and why. What is the primary idea or message you want the recipients to understand as a result of your communication? Ask yourself what you want most from the communication.

 

Potential for Miscommunication

Be aware that what you intended to communicate is not necessarily the message the recipient has understood, and similarly that what you pick out from someone else’s communication is not necessarily what they intended.

 

Useful or interesting Links

 

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships/effective-communication.htm

http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/improving-communication.html

http://lifehacker.com/top-10-ways-to-improve-your-communication-skills-1590488550

https://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/RunningMeetings.htm

http://managementhelp.org/misc/meeting-management.htm

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/Body_Language.htm

 

Quiz/Tests

[Alternative version of Quiz with Scoring]: Requires ActiveX enabled

Reminder on taking tests: It’s not about trying to prove you already know it, it’s about learning.

 

Question 1

It is said there are three components involved in a face-to-face communication. What are they?

 

Question 2

Good listening skills are important. List 6 or more particular behaviours that are an important part of being a good listener:

 

Question 3

You are responsible for setting up a meeting. List some of the things you need to give some thought or consideration to.

 

Question 4

List some of the characteristics of ineffective meetings:

 

Question 5

List some common shortcomings in written communications.

 

Question 6

List some of the ways an intended idea in the mind of a sender can be distorted in terms of being interpreted by the receiver.

 

Question 7

Fill in the gaps:

a. When an interaction becomes emotional, use … statements rather than … statements.
b. The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to … .

 

Question 8

List some ways you can increase the likelihood you will get a response to an e-mail.

 

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