Summary: Life Skills Instructor; Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, PhD, LPC-MHSP Podcast Host: Counselor Toolbox & Happiness Isn’t Brain Surgery Objectives ~ Review common life skills Communication Skills ~ Types ~ Written ~ Nonverbal ~ Oral Communication Skills ~ Assertiveness ~ Being open in expressing wishes, thoughts and feelings and encouraging others to do likewise. ~ Listening to the views of others and responding appropriately, whether in agreement with those views or not. ~ Accepting responsibilities and being able to delegate to others. ~ Regularly expressing appreciation of others for what they have done or are doing. ~ Being able to admit to mistakes and apologize. ~ Maintaining self-control. ~ Behaving as an equal to others, respecting that their opinions and needs are equally important to yours. Communication Skills ~ 6 main characteristics of assertiveness ~ Eye contact: demonstrates interest, shows sincerity ~ Body posture: congruent body language will improve the significance of the message ~ Gestures: appropriate gestures help to add emphasis ~ Voice: a level, well modulated tone is more convincing and acceptable, and is not intimidating ~ Timing: use your judgement to maximize receptivity and impact ~ Content: how, where and when you choose to comment is probably more important than WHAT you say ~ Use of “I” statements Communication Skills ~ Conflict management and dialectics ~ We respond to conflicts based on our perceptions of the situation, not necessarily to an objective review of the facts. Our perceptions are influenced by our life experiences, culture, values, and beliefs. ~ Conflicts trigger strong emotions. If you aren’t comfortable with your emotions or able to manage them in times of stress, you won’t be able to resolve conflict successfully. ~ Conflicts are an opportunity for growth. When you’re able to resolve conflict in a relationship, it builds trust. You can feel secure knowing your relationship can survive challenges and disagreements. Communication Skills ~ Conflict management and dialectics ~ Skills ~ Get the facts ~ Empathize with the other person/try to understand their feelings and point of view ~ Be respectful and objective in communications ~ Be aware of verbal and nonverbal cues of increasing frustration ~ Identify triggers for conflict ~ Seek compromise/embrace dialectics ~ Win/lose ~ Competent/incompetent ~ Right/wrong ~ Be creative Communication Skills ~ Negotiating ~ Stages ~ Preparation ~ Discussion ~ Clarification of goals ~ Negotiate towards a Win-Win outcome ~ Agreement ~ Implementation of a course of action ~ Creating a win/win ~ Saying No, Asking for something Communication Skills ~ Interviewing ~ Dress for the job ~ Listen more than you talk ~ Ask questions more than you tell ~ Answer questions asked of you ~ Use proper language ~ Speak confidently and clearly ~ Don’t be too cocky ~ Express optimism, enthusiasm and gratitude ~ Research and rehearse potential interview questions ~ Re-read the job description prior to the interview ~ Research the company Communication Skills ~ Giving criticism ~ State the problem objectively ~ Phrase it in terms of how the solution can be helpful to the person. ~ Your paperwork has been very late. You are an excellent employee. Getting your paperwork in on time will go a long way to helping you get a raise/promotion etc. ~ Ask how you can help ~ Is there something that has changed that is causing the problem, or something I can help with? Communication Skills ~ Handling criticism ~ Listen to hear what the critic is saying ~ Separate the criticism from the self ~ Don’t be defensive. Often the person is trying to help you. Thank the commenter for his criticism, acknowledge his point without being defensive (Separate criticism from abuse though) ~ Ask open ended questions for clarification ~ Admit your mistakes. ~ Take what is useful and leave the rest. (Sometimes it is about them) ~ Look at criticism as a challenge to do better. ~ Work on your self-est
