Communication

Date:  (Week 9)
Venue: BFEI | Room 108
Class:  WDM
Topic:  Communications

Today we are discussing communication. This is an important topic as we all use communication in every day life including in the classroom or workplace, on the bus or train. We communicate in many different forms. We all make phone calls and send email including whether you give a slight head nod in agreement or present information to a large group.

Communication is absolutely necessary when building relationships, sharing ideas, delegating responsibilities, managing a team and much more and developing good communication skills can help us succeed at work and in building network.

So it is a topic to enjoy, but the class again started with an introductory exercise in communication in pairs to help grasp the importance of communication. 

Introductory Exercise  
(communication exercise in a group of 4 and how we worked together on the exercise.)

Working in a group, one person from the pair get to talk about something very boring, this is not supposed to be a conversation, the other person is not to interrupt, the goal is to see how we demonstrate our listening skills, maintain good visual signals and eye contacts, nodding, how the other persons engage with the one talking, how we express our interest or dissatisfaction through open body language.

My group consisted of Robert, Ahmad, Jo'Art and myself. I was to talk and I talked about creating an impossible website for a business of mine, talking about it in a way that shows I lack the knowledge of how the internet works and have no clue how the website operate, I doubted it was possible to achieve and the talk was simply to put them off and discourage any offer of assistance.  It was a bit boring enough to put anyone off.

Group Picture for Communication Exercise

The point of the exercise is to lay a foundation for real meaning of communication and also to show various types of communications.

Lesson Learned
From the short exercise, it was proven that communication is supposed to be a process of passing information from one person to another and purposefully for the information to be understood. 

The exercise also provide evidence of other key elements associated with verbal communication by interaction, e.g the listening skills of the listeners, posture, gestures, and facial expressions, visual signals and eye contacts, nodding, how the other persons engage with the one talking, how we express our interest or dissatisfaction through open body language.

It might be good at this point to define communication. 

Definition

Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages through verbal or nonverbal means, including speech, or oral communication;  writing and graphical representations (such as infographics, maps, and charts); and signs, signals, and behavior. More simply,  communication is said to be "the creation and exchange of meaning."  Richard Nordquist 

Further Reading on Communication Theories

Reading further on the topic, according to Mowlana and I quote "Communication theories refer to three things; a sender, a message and a receiver. It can take the form of one human being and the perceived environment through messages in the form of signs, symbols and thought" (Mowlana, 2018).

The diagram below is a screenshot from the course note which perfectly explain how the communication works between humans.

"Human communication has been conceptualized, theorized and studied mainly as a process of communication and interaction among and between two or more human beings—that is person to person with language and technology as the medium".

                                                                               (Mowlana 2018)

Further in the class discussion, our teacher threw some light on the the different types of communications and she gave us some good examples of  them so that we can develop super-keen awareness around our communication style. I must say communication styles change from person to person and by learning this it becomes easy to identify any pattern of communication in real life.

Some of the types of communication discussed are:

Verbal

Verbal communication is the use of language to transfer information through speaking or sign language. It is one of the most common types, often used during presentations, video conferences and phone calls, meetings and one-on-one conversations. Verbal communication is important because it is efficient. It can be helpful to support verbal communication with both nonverbal and written communication.

Nonverbal

Nonverbal communication is the use of body language, gestures and facial expressions to convey information to others. It can be used both intentionally and unintentionally. For example, you might smile unintentionally when you hear a pleasing or enjoyable idea or piece of information. Nonverbal communication is helpful when trying to understand others’ thoughts and feelings.

If they are displaying “closed” body language such as crossed arms or legs, or hunched shoulders, they might be feeling anxious, angry or nervous. If they are displaying “open” body language with both feet on the floor and arms by their side or on the table, they are likely feeling positive and open to information.

Written

Written communication is the act of writing, typing or printing symbols like letters and numbers to convey information. It is helpful because it provides a record of information for reference. Writing is commonly used to share information through books, pamphlets, blogs, letters, memos and more. Emails and chats are a common form of written communication in the workplace.

Visual  Visual communication is the act of using photographs, art, drawings, sketches, charts and graphs to convey information. Visuals are often used as an aid during presentations to provide helpful context alongside written and/or verbal communication. Because people have different learning styles, visual communication might be more helpful for some to consume ideas and information.

 Styles of Communication

Class Content  and My Reflection:
My own reading on the theories and examples of real life application of the principles:

Further in the class discussion, we discuss 'The Four Basic Styles of Communication' which includes Passive Communication, Aggressive Communication, Passive -Aggressive Communication and Assertive Communication.

Passive Communication: this style of communication is when an individual have developed a pattern of avoiding expressing their opinions. 

This type of communicators will often:

• fail to assert for themselves
• fail to express their feelings, needs or opinions
• tend to speak softly or apologetically
• exhibit poor eye contact and slumped body posture

Aggressive Communication: this other style of communication is when an individual express their feelings and opinions and advocate fr their needs in a way that violates the rights of others, this this type of communicators are verbally and or physically abusive.

Other traits expected from this kind of communicators are:

• try to dominate
• use humiliation to control others
• criticize, blame or attack others
• very impulsive
• speak loud, demanding and overbearing voice

Passive -Aggressive Communication: this is another style of communication in which individuals appear passive on the surface but are really acting out anger in a subtle, indirect or behind-the-scenes way. People who develop this pattern of communication usually feel powerless, stuck and resentful in other words, they feel incapable of dealing directly with object of their resentments.

This type of communicator will often:

• mutter words to themselves rather than confront the person or issue
• have difficulty acknowledging their anger
• use facial expressions that doesn't match how they feel e.g. smiling when angry
• use sarcasm
• deny there's a problem
• appear co-operative while purposely doing things to annoy and disrupt

Assertive Communication: this is a style in which individuals clearly state their opinions and feelings and firmly advocate for their rights and needs without violating the rights of others. 

This type of communicators seems to value themselves, their time, their emotion, physical needs and are strong advocates for themselves while being very respectful of the rights of others.

Assertive communicators will often:

• state needs and wants clearly, respectfully and appropriately
• express feelings clearly, appropriately and respectfully 
• listen well without interrupting
• feel control of self
• have relaxed body posture
• have good eye contact
• feel connected to others
• stand right for their rights
• not allow others to abuse or manipulate them

Video Resource

Before the end of the class, we watched a good YouTube video to bring home all the points about using effective communication together in one piece. This is called S.O.L.E.R Communication.

S.O.L.E.R. communication deals with 5 helpful tools to help us communicate better and enable us to engage and focus on the speaker as you communicate with them . It's a non-verbal listening process that can be used in communication with clients, people you meet and in relationship.

S.O.L.E.R. Powered Communication, Patrick Lengel

The summary of the main points from Patrick Lengel video are as follows:

• The communication technique called S.O.L.E.R. is an active listening model, or a way to physically demonstrate your interest and engagement in a conversation.
• S.O.L.E.R. stands for Sit squarely, Open posture, Lean towards the client, Eye contact, Relax. 
• It is believed that communication is made more effective between individuals by applying these 5 helpful tips.
• S.O.L.E.R. should be used as an integral part of active listening. By applying this technique in a non verbal communication can make an individual feel comfortable, secure and understood.
• Communication is less about what you say but how you say them.  Research has shown that 93 percent of communication is “nonverbal” in nature. 
• This SOLER communication skill encourages the listener to focus his or her full attention on the speaker. It involves repeating what the listener believes the speaker said, but in the listener's own words. The listener may also express his or her understanding of the speaker's psychological response to the situation.

What did you learn from the topic?

On this topic, I have learned a lot

1. The communication technique called S.O.L.E.R and by applying this technique in a non verbal communication setting can make an individual feel comfortable, secure and understood.
2. With this knowledge, I now have the ability to identify any style of communication.
3. Also I now have the ability to differentiate between, verbal, non-verbal, written and visual communication
4. I now have the understanding of what is involved in the process of communication.
5. Finally, I have learned the importance of using effective communication style at any given situation e.g workplace, classroom, home, on the bus or train etc.