USING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS

What are good listening skills?

Good communicators are active listeners. Active listening means you are

hearing what others are saying rather than just thinking about your reply

asking questions for clarification

using appropriate non-verbal communication, such as eye contact.

 

What do active listeners do?

Active listeners use these skills

attending—not interrupting, showing physical attention by using eye contact and open posture

following—using conversation openers, inviting people to share ideas and feelings, asking few questions

reflecting—paraphrasing, clarifying, reflecting feelings and meanings, summarising.

What are good questionning skills?

Good communicators think about the best way to ask a question.

When they are thinking about the best question to ask they consider

What is happening in this situation?What is my relationship to the person receiving my

communication?What are their attitudes and beliefs?

What are the different types of questions?

Closed questions – can be used to get facts, or check information. ‘ Have you finished your homework?’

Open questions – can be used to get a more detailed answer or encourage conversation. ‘ Do you think you’ll be finished on Facebook soon?’

Probing questions- can be used to get specific information. ‘What needs to done to prepare the café for opening?’

What are some other examples of open questions?