Page 248 - Learning to Learn

READING EXPERIENCE 9: PERFORMING WHEN BEING EVALUATED
248 L EARNING TO LEARN: BECOMING A SELF-GROWER
The table below lists the specific skills that are associated with the communication process.
Table 1 Communication Skills
Creating the
Message
Presenting the
Message
Receiving the
Message
Effective Use of
Form
articulating an idea
defining the purpose
defining outcomes
choosing the medium
generating credibility
structuring the
message
selecting the
appropriate time
selecting the
appropriate place
using appropriate
verbal elements
using appropriate
non-verbal elements
using graphics
effectively
attending
rephrasing
checking perception
reading body language
retaining
providing feedback
conversing
debating
informing
persuading
public speaking
writing with
technical detail
Communication skills can be separated into four areas.
The first two areas, creating and sending the message, are skill sets from the perspective of the sender of
a message or information. The first set of specific skills deals with putting together the message and takes
into account the purpose and intended outcomes. The second set of skills pertains to how the message is
presented.
The third area lists skills from the perspective of the receiver of a message. These skills help the receiver
better understand the message.
The last area identifies different forms of oral and written communication, each having a different intent
or purpose.
Communication Methodology
The Communication Methodology breaks down the process of communication into a series of steps and
provides a useful framework for improving your performance.
This methodology is especially useful in more structured or formal communication situations. You do
not necessarily need to use the Communication Methodology with every form of communication. For
example, during a friendly or informal conversation, several steps are done instantaneously without
thinking. However, whenever there is a breakdown in communication, even with informal situations,
walking through the steps of the Communication Methodology can help to identify and remedy the
problem.
As a reminder, the benefits from simply reading a methodology are minimal compared to the benefits
gained when a methodology is practiced many times with assessment (or self-assessment) feedback.