INTRODUCTION TO
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
G S Sandhu, Assistant Commissioner, KVS
Chandigarh Region
·
Verbal
Communication: Messages that you send with words. Language used for comprehension in a particular
situation
–
Content: Refers
to topic area, problem area or the task being undertaken. Focus on the talk,
evaluative dimension by talk
–
Amount of Speech
–
Honesty in
sharing information
–
Ownership of
speech : You and I messages
•
Vocal
Communication
•
Volume: Refers to
loudness or softness
•
Articulation:
Refers to clarity of your speech
•
Pitch: Refers to
height or depth of your voice
•
Emphasis: Refers
to highlighting the required content
•
Rate: Refers to
speed rate
•
Bodily
Communication:
§ Facial Expression: (happiness, interest, surprise,
fear, sadness, anger, disgust)
§ Eye contact
§ Gesture: (Physical movements that can frame or
illustrate words coming before, during or after what is being said
§ Postures: Position of your body
§ Physical Proximity: Intimate zone (6-18”),
Personal (18 – 48”), Social (4 – 12 ft.)
Public (over 12)
§ Touch
Skills for Conveying Genuineness
•
Genuineness means
essentially that helpers are sincere and do not present facades to clients
•
Supporting nonverbal
behaviors
–
Direct eye
contact
–
Smiling,
interested facial expression
–
Leaning toward
clients while seated
•
Congruence:
Counsellor’s words actions and feelings all match or are consistent
•
Openness and
self-disclosure
–
Expression of
your thoughts, ideas and feelings follows your awareness of them
Skills for Conveying Positive Regard
•
Involve an
expression of caring and nurturance for the client. Communicate warmth to
client
•
Supportive nonverbal
behavior
–
Tone of voice:
Soft, Soothing
–
Facial
Expression: Smiling, interested
–
Posture: Relaxed,
Leaning toward the other person
–
Eye contact:
Looking directly into the other person’s eye
–
Touching : Softly
and discretely
–
Physical
proximity: Close
•
Enhancing
Responses
–
Convey acceptance
by responding to client messages with nonjudgmental or non-critical verbal and
nonverbal responses
–
Use of enhancing
statements
