Communication Skills for State Trekkers State Trekkers – …€¦ · Telegram, Tell A Cadet. Cadet Communication Skills • What are these? Active • What aren’tthese? listening

Communication Skills for Communication Skills for State Trekkers State Trekkers –– Advanced CadetsAdvanced Cadets

Jim Pickett and John Peller

AIDS Foundation of ChicagoAIDS Foundation of Chicago

Springfield, Illinois

Star Date: March 2, 2009

Thanks to Lt. Uhura

Objectives for this Objectives for this trainingtraining

� Active listening and speaking skills� Active listening and speaking skills

� Telling your own story

� Interviewing techniques

ExerciseExercise

Telephone, Telegram,

Tell A CadetTell A Cadet

Cadet Communication Skills Cadet Communication Skills

• What are these?

• What aren’t these?Active listening

• Why are active listening and speaking skills important to your work as an advocate?

listening and

speaking skills

Cadet Communications SkillsCadet Communications Skills

Telling your own story

• What do you tell?• What don’t you tell?• What don’t you tell?• How much do you tell?• Who is the audience?• Do I have to?• Do I want to?• What are the ramifications?

Cadet Communication Skills Cadet Communication Skills

�Interview strategies◦ These will work in your visits with elected

officials, with reporters and in your public officials, with reporters and in your public speaking opportunities.

You are the expert and you have

something important to say.

Prepare!

Don’t be fearful. The fear of

“blanking” or freezing up can make it happen.

Have all facts, figures, references

handy.

Talking points!Stick to your points

and don’t be afraid to repeat yourself.

Repeat key points that may not have

been fully absorbed.

Nearly 90% of your message is conveyed through body language, tone and attitude.

• Smile when appropriate.

• Project balance between low-key thoughtfulness and energy.thoughtfulness and energy.

• Active listening and speaking.

• Take a deep breath.

• Avoid being

• Smug

• Arrogant

• Defensive

• Negative

Take a deep breath

Take a deep breathTake a deep breath

Take a deep breath

KnowKnow

� The who

� The what

� The when

� The where� The where

� The why

� And the how of the HIV/AIDS subject area(s) that will be covered.

• Highlight YOUR goals.• Highlight YOUR solutions.• Define the issue on YOUR

terms.• Stay on message.• Don’t get thrown off by a

question, no matter what is question, no matter what is asked.

Anticipate key questions and have answers ready.

• Make points• Quickly, clearly, sharply

• 10 seconds, “elevator rule”

Answer questions concisely and use

non-technical terms.

• 10 seconds, “elevator rule”• Avoid jargon, acronyms

• ADAP, EPT, CDC, EMA, HAART, MSM, IDU,

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ…

• You need not explain everything in your soundbite.

� Provide written background info.

� If you don’t know the answer, or if the question delves into an area that is not question delves into an area that is not your expertise:your expertise:your expertise:your expertise:

◦◦ Direct the elected official or reporter to a Direct the elected official or reporter to a more appropriate source. more appropriate source.

◦Offer to find the answer.

�DON’T MAKE THINGS UP!

If you promise additional info follow up quickly via e-mail

or phone.

Don’t say anything

you don’t

No such thing as “off the

you don’t want

published.

Don’t speak “off the top of your head.”

thing as “off the record.”

Cadet Communication SkillsCadet Communication Skills

Interview Interview TechniquesTechniques

� These will also come in handy in visits with elected officials and their staff, as well as with reporters.

�Bridging, Flagging, Hooking

Bridging

Bridging is a transitional phrase that allows you to

move into YOUR territory.

• And• And• But

• However• In fact

• For example• Because

• On the other hand

“Overdose prevention legislation will save many, many lives. In fact, more than 1,000 lives have been saved through a program

Bridging

lives have been saved through a program implemented by the Chicago Recovery Alliance since 2001.”

“I don’t know the answer to that question. however, I do know that…”

Bridging

Flagging

Flagging uses phrases that emphasize importance. They tell the listener what should be highlighted.highlighted.

• The bottom line is…• The main point is…• The key issue is…• If you don’t remember anything else, remember that…

� “The bottom line is that this legislation will substantially reduce the spread of STDs and HIV and is recommended by

Flagging

STDs and HIV and is recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

� “We have talked about a lot of things, but the main point is that we need to comprehensively overhaul healthcare and

Flagging

comprehensively overhaul healthcare and ensure ALL people, including those living with HIV and other pre-existing conditions, are not left behind.”

Hooking

Hooking involves leading the reporter to your message. Add a “hook” to the end of your response to prompt a question. question.

“We’re focusing on three major areas…”

Pause and wait for the reporter to ask what they are.

Hooking

they are.

“Illinois is taking the lead on this issue…”

Pause and wait for the reporter to ask how.

ReviewReview

� What is something new I learned today?

� What are three key ideas from this presentation?

� What are three main ideas that came out of this presentation?