Effective Communication

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Why do we need to study communication?

Why do we need to study communication?

■ We are communicating all the time; communication permeates our lives.

■ Very important in every facets of our lives; effective communication helps us to perform at our best.

■ Studying how to communicate effectively helps to prevent miscommunication

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Scenarios of miscommunication

Some scenarios of miscommunication:■ Recall some scenarios of miscommunication.

■ How did you feel during the experience of miscommunication?

■ How can you make a difference to the above situations?

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Here is something to ponder……■ What basic skills should a graduate have?

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A Study by Diamond ( 1997)■ 1000 faculty members from a cross section of

academic disciplines were asked the question; the answer was :– Communication skills (Writing, speaking,

reading and listening)– Interpersonal skills– Working in and leading groups – Appreciation of cultural diversity– Ability to adapt to innovation and change

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Do you know that…..?

■ Communication is the way for us to survive? – As our sense of identity comes from the way

we interact with people around us. – Deprived of communication, there will be no

sense of identity.– Communication is synonymous with the

creation of humans.

Some facts of life…■ Whatever you want to achieve in life..communication is

VITAL to achieve what you want to achieve. ■ Happiness will not be meaningful if you have nobody to

share your feelings with.■ Business is about your ability to “market” your ideas and

convincing the other party to “agree” with you. ■ How much you learn depends on how much you listen and

interact with the people who teach you.■ Your ability to “change for the better” depends how much

you “know” about yourself.. (intra personal communication).

Consider this…■ Medical researchers identified that a whole range of

health threats can result from the lack of close relationships:– A lack of social relationships jeopardizes physical wellbeing to a

degree similar to cigarette smoking, high blood pressure etc– Socially isolated people are 2-3 times more likely to die earlier

than those with strong social ties ( marriage, friendship, religious and community ties all seem to increase longevity).

– Poor communication can contribute to coronary heart disease

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What is the function of communication?

Some functions of communication■ To inform ■ To share■ To influence■ To persuade■ To discover information■ To uncover information■ etc

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Major areas incorporated in communication ■ Academic life

■ Professional life

■ Personal life

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Academic life■ Most obvious areas are written and oral communication■ To write well, we need to be able to research effectively,

to think critically, to apply appropriately etc■ Oral communication is not just the ability to speak up,

but oral communication involves lots of skill such as critical thinking, systematic and logical development of arguments etc

■ Academic life have many demands

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Professional life

■ Employers look for good communicator; see various advertisements - communication is an essential skill. – The interview– Persuade your colleagues to agree to your ideas– Problem solving at work requires communication skills– Sales area

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Personal life■ Feel forced to do something?■ Conflict■ As a member of a group■ As a leader of a group■ As a helper to people in distress■ As a spouse■ As a son/daughter■ etc

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What is communication?

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Some Definitions of Communication: ■ It is the transfer a message through a medium, from one

individual to another individual■ The process of sending and receiving of messages

between individuals, with feedbacks and effects.■ It is the process of sharing of information, ideas and

feelings

Some definitions of communication:

■ It is the simultaneous sharing and creating of meaning through symbolic interaction ( Seiler and Beall, 2008)

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Functions of Communications

■Communication is a social process to : – Seek information– To disseminate information – To educate– To persuade– To entertain

Ethics in Communication ■ Honesty■ Respect■ Concern for others■ Open mindedness■ Clarity■ No manipulation or coercion

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ALSO THERE IS THE COMMUNICATION

BETWEEN US AND GOD

THE END FOR TODAY

References: ■ Seiler, W. J and Beall, M. L ( 2011). Communication.

Making Connections ( 8th ed). Boston: Pearson■ Diamond, R. ( 1997, August 1). “Curriculum reform

needed if students are to master core skills”. The Chronicle of Higher education , B7

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