Communication and Social Styles

Why is effective communication important?

• Helps to increase the understanding of:• Ourselves• Others

• To be accepted• To accomplish something• To effectively convey ideas across

cultures

context

feedback

semantics

acronymjargon

barriers

interpretation

What affects communication?

Active Listening...paying attention!

• Verbal communication• The words we hear• The words we say

• Non-verbal communication• What we see• What our “body” says to others

• Para-language• How we say it

What percent of meaning comes from each?

7%

38%55%

Active Listening

VerbalsNonverbalsParalanguage

How do we interpret conversations?

• What is perceived• What is reality• Tone of voice• Body language

Asking questions

Open-ended

Vs. Closed-ended

Good and poor listening behaviors

Discuss in groups

Social Styles

•Driver• Expressive•Amiable•Analytical

Four social styles

• Highly assertive• Action oriented• Control emotions• Like data• What is good!• What to work on!

Driver

• Highly assertive• Action oriented• Energetic• Focus on people• What is good!• What to work on!

Expressive

• Think carefully• Not highly assertive• Warm and friendly• Work cooperatively• What is good!• What to work on!

Amiable

• Think carefully• Emotively “controlled”• Focus on tasks• Like data• What is good!• What to work on!

Analytical

Discuss in groups

What is your social style?