Communication Skills Lecture Notes

Overview

• Importance of communication in relationships and problem solving.
• Effective communication involves verbal, nonverbal, and paraverbal components.

The Three Components of Communication

• Verbal Messages:
  • Refers to the content and choice of words.
  • Should be brief, succinct, and organized.
  • Avoid jargon to prevent resistance.
• Paraverbal Messages:
  • Concerns the tone, pitch, and pacing of voice.
  • Accounts for 38% of communication understanding.
  • Tone and emphasis can alter the meaning.
• Nonverbal Messages:
  • Includes body language, facial expressions, postures, and gestures.
  • Accounts for 55% of perceived messages.
  • Always conveys emotional state.

Sending Messages

• Effective Verbal Messages:
  • Are concise and organized.
  • Use language that doesn’t create resistance.
• Importance of Consistency:
  • Consistent messages enhance trust and understanding.
  • Inconsistency can lead to confusion.

Receiving Messages

• Listening:
  • Involves hearing and psychological connection.
  • Requires concentration, energy, and an open mind.
  • Important to suspend judgment and understand another’s perspective.
• Key Listening Skills:
  • Nonverbal: Full attention, awareness of speaker’s body language.
  • Verbal: Reflective listening, paraphrasing, summarizing, questioning.
• Full Physical Attention:
  • Posture and body movement are crucial.
  • Indicates interest and understanding.

Barriers to Effective Communication

• Verbal Communication Barriers:
  • Includes jargon, and critical or accusatory language.
• Nonverbal Communication Barriers:
  • Includes negative body language such as crossed arms or lack of eye contact.

Conclusion

• Effective communication requires integration of verbal, nonverbal, paraverbal skills.
• Listening is integral for understanding and effective interaction.
• Strive for consistency in all forms of communication.