Connecting the Dots Connecting the Dots through Communicationthrough Communication

Why is CommunicationWhy is Communicationimportantimportant

ItIt’’s the key to being successful ass the key to being successful as

an Employeran Employera Professionala Professionala Project or Department Managera Project or Department Manageran Employeean Employeea Partnera Partneran Individualan Individual

CommunicationCommunication Two Parts of Successful Two Parts of Successful CommunicationCommunication

1) Speaking Skills 1) Speaking Skills

2) Listening Skills 2) Listening Skills

Skill:Skill:nounnoun : the ability to do something that comes : the ability to do something that comes

from training, experience, or from training, experience, or practicepractice

Speaking SkillsSpeaking SkillsSpeaking isnSpeaking isn’’t just about giving a presentation it t just about giving a presentation it

includes:includes:directing an employeedirecting an employeeleaving a voicemail leaving a voicemail conversation with a clientconversation with a clientpitching a salepitching a salemeeting representingmeeting representing

you need to organize your thoughts so your you need to organize your thoughts so your message makes sense to the individuals message makes sense to the individuals listening.listening.

Know your AudienceKnow your Audience

Husband, child, colleague, employer, clientHusband, child, colleague, employer, client

Present your point in a way your audience Present your point in a way your audience can understand.can understand.

Getting the point acrossGetting the point acrossStay focused by remembering the basic formula:Stay focused by remembering the basic formula:

Tell what youTell what you’’re going to tell them. re going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them. Tell them what youTell them what you’’ve told them. ve told them.

Use a mind mapUse a mind mapthe main topic is printed in the center of the page the main topic is printed in the center of the page ideas about how to organize the topicideas about how to organize the topicimportant points about those ideas are added. important points about those ideas are added.

Mind MapMind MapMAIN TOPIC

ORGANIZING IDEA 2 IMPORTANT POINTS

ORGANIZING IDEA 3

ORGANIZING IDEA 1

The core of Effective The core of Effective CommunicationCommunication

communication is a twocommunication is a two--way activity way activity in order to truly be a good communicator, you in order to truly be a good communicator, you

also have to be able to listen well. also have to be able to listen well.

listening is one of the most generally listening is one of the most generally underappreciated vital life skills. While it is underappreciated vital life skills. While it is certainly powerful to know what to say and certainly powerful to know what to say and how to say it, that isnhow to say it, that isn’’t really possible to do t really possible to do

without first listening well enough to without first listening well enough to understand your audience, their values and understand your audience, their values and

how they process information. how they process information.

Listening SkillsListening SkillsFocus on the Speaker and Block out distractionsFocus on the Speaker and Block out distractions

Sharpen your powers of concentration to become an Sharpen your powers of concentration to become an effective speaker effective speaker

DonDon’’t worry about your responset worry about your responsecareful listening can provide part of your response. careful listening can provide part of your response.

Listen Listen vsvs ComprehendingComprehendingRepeating or confirming the question out loudRepeating or confirming the question out loud

RespectRespectDonDon’’t interject your own ideas before the other person t interject your own ideas before the other person has finishedhas finished

Controlling you FEARSControlling you FEARSAnxiety TriggersAnxiety Triggers

New and unknown situationsNew and unknown situationsRisk of FailureRisk of FailurePotential for appearing foolishPotential for appearing foolishPossibility of boring the audiencePossibility of boring the audience

Anxiety SymptomsAnxiety SymptomsIncreased heart rateIncreased heart rateButterfliesButterfliesIncontrollable shakesIncontrollable shakesLightheadednessLightheadednessDizzinessDizziness

Manage your FEARManage your FEARExperienceExperience

PracticePractice in front of the in front of the mirror, family, friendsmirror, family, friends

VisualizationVisualizationUse your thought Use your thought process to achieve process to achieve positive resultspositive results

Relaxation Relaxation Isometric Exercises Isometric Exercises and Breathing and Breathing TechniquesTechniques

Successful CommunicationSuccessful Communication

Utilize both Speaking & Listening SkillsUtilize both Speaking & Listening Skills

Position yourself to practice speaking & listeningPosition yourself to practice speaking & listeningnetworking eventsnetworking eventsrepresentation opportunitiesrepresentation opportunitiesbe active in a club or organizationbe active in a club or organizationJoin ToastmastersJoin Toastmasters