communication & conflict: how do i handle it? northwestern illinois association sheri white, ms...

COMMUNICAT

ION &

CONFL

ICT:

HOW D

O I HANDLE

IT?

North

wes

tern

Illin

ois Ass

ocia

tion

Sheri W

hite, M

s Ed

3626

Eas

t Sta

te S

t. R

ockf

ord, I

L

www.th

enia

.org

(815

)963

-093

7

2/14

(Pre

sente

d for S

ASED)

1

OBJECTIVES

1. To appreciate the power and effects of body language in communication

2. To recognize barriers and strategies for effective communication

3. To become aware of active listening techniques

4. To realize personal style when experiencing conflict

2

COMMUNICATION…WHAT IS IT???

“The process of communication is what allows us to interact with other people: without it, we would be unable to share knowledge or experiences with anything outside ourselves. Communication forms include speaking, writing, gestures, touch, and broadcasting…”

-Wikipedia definition

3

WHAT DOES YOUR BODY LANGUAGE SAY?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X7fKZTmZa4

4

BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION• Reduced Sensitivity to Receiver

• Lack of Communication Skills

• Decreased Knowledge of Subject

• Emotional Interference/Distractions

• Lack of Confidence

• Physical Distractions

• Lack of Interest

• Information Overload

• Inadequate Feedback

What others can you think of?

5

BODY LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION

6

Objective : to demonstrate that nonverbal communications or body language can often be very effective in “communicating” with others

Activity:

1) Find a partner you do not know

2) On signal, “introduce self” – no talking

- may use props, visuals, pictures, signs, gestures

7

NONVERBAL INTRODUCTIONS

You will hear a series of instructions…

Copy them as fast as you can….

Listen carefully…

TRY THIS WITH ME…

8

Encouraging Can you tell me more?”

Clarifying When did this

happen?

Restating the facts So you would like

your parents to trust you more, is that right?

Reflecting the emotions You seem very upset.

SummarizingThese seem to be the key

ideas you’ve expressed…

Validating I appreciate your

willingness to resolve this matter/

9

ACTIVE LISTENING

AN ACTIVITY TO PRACTICE LISTENING

10

11

TAKE A BREAK!

“I” Statements

Strategic Silence

Others speak louder, you speak softer

Cooling down period:

Gives everyone a chance to

physically get up and remove

themselves from the situation

(briefly)

12

STRATEGIES FOR DIFFICULT SITUATIONS

“I” STATEMENTS

• Direct and less threatening way of asking for what you want

• Use “I” statements to:Describe the behaviorExpress your true feelings about the behavior

State the outcome of the behavior

13

“I” STATEMENTS

• Avoid blaming•“You shouldn’t act that way.”•“You’re acting so immature.”

Instead of saying….“you are making too much noise….

“You are acting so immature, you should stop yelling……

14

E----------------------------------------------I

S----------------------------------------------N

T----------------------------------------------F

J-----------------------------------------------P

KNOW YOURSELF = + COMMUNICATION!

15

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE THEORY = +COMMUNICATION

16

Conflict refers to some form of friction, disagreement, or discord arising within a group when the beliefs or actions of one of more members of the group are either resisted by or unacceptable to one or more members of another group - Wikipedia

Self Awareness Activity

Handout:

How I Act in Conflict

(15 minutes)

17

CONFLICT

CONFLICT STRATEGIES:

What are you like?

18

Conflict = Negative/”Bad”???

OR

Conflict = Opportunity to strengthen relationships, by resolving conflict you have an opportunity to turn it into something creative and new…

SHIFT YOUR PARADIGM…

19

GROUP ACTI

VITY

Perso

nal G

oals

…

20

EVERY CLOSING IS AN OPENING TO SOMETHING ELSE!

21