Creating Communication Climates 1

Focus Questions

1. How does communication shape interpersonal climates?

2. Can conflicts be good for relationships?3. How can we assert ourselves and also respect

others?4. When is it appropriate to show grace toward

others?

Creating Communication Climates 2

Communication Climates

生活中的各種溝通氛圍– Event: 慶生會、相親、買賣、調解、、、– Location: KTV包廂、洗手間、病房、圖書館、法庭、、、– Timing: 考試前、事件第一時間、多年後、、、– Relationship: 父母、另一半、上司、大眾、師生、、、– Purpose: 說服、安慰、聯誼、談判、宣告、致歉、、、– Channel: 見面、電話、 BBS、視訊、信件、旗語、、、

Communication Climate– Emotional tone of a relationship between people who are interacting– Basic for all settings and forms of interaction

Creating Communication Climates 3

Levels of Confirmation

The essence of confirmation is valuing.Healthy Confirmation:– Valuing, Appreciation, Respect

Three Levels of Confirmation– Recognition: Recognizing people’s existence– Acknowledgement: Knowing people’s feeling, statement– Endorsement: Accepting people’s feelings and thoughts– (see Figure 3.2 on page 77)

Creating Communication Climates 4

Defensive vs. Supportive Climates

Evaluation vs. Description– Defensiveness

Certainty vs. Provisionalism– Absolute, dogmatic, ethnocentrism vs. alternatives

Strategy vs. Spontaneity– Manipulative vs. open, honest

Control vs. Problem Orientation– Dominant, imposing vs. focused on solution-finding

Neutrality vs. Empathy– Indifference vs. understanding, respectful

Superiority vs. Equality

Creating Communication Climates 5

Conflict and CommunicationConflict– Means ‘difference’, not necessarily unhealthy– A sign that people are involved with each other– Often with people what matter to us

Overt vs. Covert– Straightforward vs. Indirect expression

Well vs. Poorly Managed– How we perceive: Lose-Lose; Win-Lose; Win-Win (next slide)– How we respond: Active vs. Passive; Constructive vs. Destructive

Can Be Positive (for individuals and relationships)

Creating Communication Climates 6

Components of Conflict Process

Conflicts of interest– Incompatible goals, interests, opinions

Conflict orientation– Individuals’ attitude toward conflict (next slide)

Conflict responses– Overt behavioral responses

Conflict outcomes– Resolution; Impact on relationships

Creating Communication Climates 7

Views of Conflict

Cultural Views: Some more accept conflicts, others tend to avoid.Circumstantial Views: Some worth engagingLose-Lose: – Perception: Losses for everyone

Win-Lose: – One wins at the expense of others

Win-Win: – Everyone gains; A resolution all parties accept.

Creating Communication Climates 8

Responses to Conflict

Active vs. PassiveConstructive vs. Destructive

Active

Passive

ConstructiveDestructive

Exit

Neglect Loyalty

Voice

Creating Communication Climates 9

Guidelines for Creating Climates

Accept and confirm othersAffirm and assert yourself (Figure 3.4, p. 89)Respect diversity among peopleTime conflict effectively– When everyone is fully present and mindful– Be flexible when deal with differences in readiness– Bracketing (marking off peripheral issues)

Show grace when appropriate