Sample: Effective Communication Guide

Effective
Communication

Training Course

Participant’s Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction ……………………………………………….………….…………………….……..3
Communication Process Model ……..………………..…….……….……………..………….….3
Verbal vs Non-Verbal Communication ………..…………….…….………………….………….4
Barriers to Communication ……………………………………………………………………….6
“I” Language ..…………...……………………………………..……………………….…….…..9
Advanced Active Listening ..………………………………………………….…………………13

Introduction

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

George Bernard Shaw

Effective Communication is defined by communication where the intended message is
successfully delivered, received, and understood. Though the definition implies a simple
exchange, effective communication requires a lot of practice – and can only be measured by the
success of the message received.

The ability to communicate effectively seems instinctive, but that may not be the case. Even with
the best intentions, communication can lead to miscommunication in the blink of an eye. The
good news is that effective communication can be learned!

Learning to communicate with effectiveness requires important skills that you will discover
today. Learning these skills can deepen your connections to others, build greater trust and
respect, improve teamwork, problem solving, and your overall social and emotional health.

Effective Objective:
How would you like to improve your effectiveness when communicating with others?
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Communication Process Model

Feedback

Sender: The party that sends a message.

Channel: Must be selected, which is the way the message is sent. Channels
of communication include speaking, writing, video transmission, audio
transmission, electronic transmission through emails, text messages and faxes and
even nonverbal communication, such as body language.

Message: The information to be conveyed.

Receiver: The target of her communication.
Feedback:
Based upon the receiver’s interpretation of the sender’s message, feedback is the
message the receiver sends back to the sender.

Noise: Any type of disruption that interferes with the transmission or interpretation of
information from the sender to the receiver.

Effective Objective:

What type of noise do you bring to your conversations?

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Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

Although many people believe that communication is heavily dependent upon words, this is not
the case. Verbal communication makes up the smallest percentage when considering how
information is received. Ninety-three percent of information is received through non-verbal
communication. Ninety-three percent. That is tremendous. That percentage is divided between
Tone of Voice (38%) and Nonverbal (55%) communication.

Verbal Communication: A form of communication in which you use words to
interchange the information with other people either in the form of speech or writing.
Tone of Voice: Includes the pitch, volume, and inflection of your voice.
Non-Verbal Communication: Does not use words for communicating anything, but
some other modes are used, i.e. where communication takes place by way of unspoken or
unwritten messages such as body language, facial expressions, sign language and so
forth.