Communication Skills

Dr. Muntazir Mehdi

Objective
• To enable participants to communicate clearly and with impact, by
improving their verbal and non-verbal communication style, as well as
enhancing interpersonal skills.
What is effective communication?
• According to the Collins Essential English Dictionary (2006, 2nd
edition), it’s a noun meaning...
1. the exchange of information, ideas, or feelings
2. something communicated, such as a message
3. communications means of travelling or sending messages
• It’s an art as much as a science
This is what we think happens
The Reality
• Not all information gets through.
• Can look at communication as an
attempt to pass information from
the sender to the receiver – but
with obstacles.
• Why? What stops the information
from getting through? Group
work.
Why this happens?
• How we communicate is just as important as
what we communicate. It will actually affect
what we communicate.
Potential impacts
Body
Language
Language
Attitudes
used

Memory Existing knowledge

Context Assumptions
(influence)
Why Effective Communication?
1) The ability to effectively communicate with others is one of
the most important tools for professional and personal
success.

2) Effective communication can help you influence others.

3) Your capacity to communicate is often seen as an indicator

of your ability and intelligence.
80% of workplace issues are
communication-related.
Elements of Personal Communication

7%

38%
Words/Verbal Body Language Tone

55%

Dr. Albert Mehrabian

 Skill Set for
Effective
Communication

It combines a set of skills

including attentive
listening, nonverbal
communication, the ability
to manage stress in the
moment, and the capacity
to recognize and
understand your own
emotions and those of the
person you are
communicating with.
Active Listening
Active Listening
• More than just hearing someone speak.

• You fully concentrate on what is being said.

• You listen with all your senses and give your full attention to the
person speaking.
 Nonverbal
Communication
Imagine you telling something very
important to you and your friends show
these non verbal cues
Managing Stress
Manage Stress in the Moment
Recognize when you’re stressed

Identify your stress response

Bring your senses to the rescue

Stay Mindful (in the moment)

Make quick stress relief a habit

Practice wherever you are

Emotional
Awareness
Why emotional awareness?
• Understand and empathize with what is troubling others.

• Understand yourself – what is really troubling you and what

do you really want?

• Helps you at times when you have to deliver bad news.

Develop Your Emotional Awareness
• Practice observing how you feel.
• Pay attention to how you behave.
• Question your own opinions.
• Take responsibility for your feelings.
• Take time to celebrate the positive.
• But don't ignore the negative.
• A lifetime process.
Resources
• 8 Great Tricks For Reading People’s Body Language
Travis Bradberry, Ph.D., TALENTSMART
• Quick Stress Relief
Jeanne Segal, Melinda Smith, Lawrence Robinson. March 2020.
Thank You