Communication Skills
Now that we have had an opportunity to discuss the different styles of communication, let's look more deeply at some of the nuts and bolts of effective communication, which you may notice overlap with some of the characteristics of assertiveness. We want to really highlight these skills, as they are some of the core components to building and maintaining healthy relationships.
First, it's important to be aware that our words may not always have the impact that we intended. Click here for a model of communication. Notice that communication includes a sender and receiver. When communicating, the sender gives a message, which goes through the sender's filter. The message then goes through the receiver's filter and to the receiver. The receiver then sends feedback to the sender, again going through the filters of the receiver and sender. Through all of these filters, the message and feedback may have very different impacts from the original intent.
I'm sure that you can think of a time when you said something, only to have a friend think you meant something else entirely? Or maybe a time when you got a different message from what someone else was trying to say? It's possible that the filters may have had something to do with this! We all have different filters based on our culture, our previous experiences, and our expectations about the future.
It is important to be aware of this process so that effective communication can happen. It's also helpful to remember because it allows us to have less judgment and more empathy towards ourselves and others when we have communication challenges.
Let's talk a little bit more about skills that come up when we are on the sending and receiving end of communication. These skills can help reduce some of the instances of miscommunication and may help us feel more connected.
Please click here and take some time to review some effective communication skills, which are both verbal AND non-verbal.
As you review this worksheet, choose one technique that you would like to practice.
Consider: What communication skills do you do well? Are there areas where you struggle? Were you able to identify a technique that you would like to practice?