CareerSafe Communication

Introduction to Communication
Communication Skills Course

Open Ended

Do you think you can communicate effectively in a professional setting?

Why?

Learning Objectives

Copyright© CareerSafe, LLC.

Communication is among the earliest skills we learn in life
and one of our most prevalent activities. Effective
communication is an ongoing learning process. In this
course students will learn to identify the elements of the
communication process, develop improved
communication skills, and be better equipped to identify
and avoid common barriers to effective communication.

Enabling Learning Objectives

•Define effective communication.

•Recognize that communication is constantly occurring.

•Identify types of nonverbal communication.

•Identify and practice effective communication skills.

•Recognize barriers that can lead to ineffective
communication.

Defining Communication

Copyright© CareerSafe, LLC.

Communication is the process of
exchanging information, feelings, ideas,
etc. between people. It involves the verbal
language used as well as non-verbal
messages.

Verbal communication involves any kind of
text or speech. If it has words or verbal sound, it's verbal communication.

Non-verbal communication is a wider range
of actions. It is practically everything else you
do during a conversation. This includes
posture, eye contact, facial expressions, body
language, spacial positioning, and so on.

Categorize

Options (16)

text

speaking

listening

debating

arguing

presenting

discussing

narrating

body language

gestures

facial expressions

eye contact

posture

proxemics

haptics

tone of voice

Organize these options as either Verbal or Non-Verbal Communication.

Vebal Communication

Non-Verbal Communication

Defining Communication

Copyright© CareerSafe, LLC.

Communication is a process consisting of five main elements: the sender, the receiver, the message,
the channel, and the context.

Sender

Receiver

Channel

Context

The sender encodes
the message through
a combination of
verbal and non-
verbal symbols
intended to
communicate
information.

The receiver
decodes the
message to
understand it.
Depending on
multiple factors, the
message may be
decoded in a way
that leads to
understanding or
misunderstanding.

Message

The message is sent
from the sender to
the receiver through
some form of
channel and within a
certain context.

The channel is how
the message is
delivered. There are
two main channels:
visual and auditory.
Using only one of
these channels leads
to limited
communication.

Any noise in the
channel may distort
the message.

The context is where
communication takes
place, who is
involved, and why
the communication is
happening.

Taking more complex
messages out of
their original context
increases the risk
of
misunderstandings.

Open Ended

Why is context important in conversations?

Defining Communication

Copyright© CareerSafe, LLC.

When communication involves only using text-
based messages, it's easy to see who fills the
roles of sender and receiver.

When people are gathered together either in
person or virtually where sending and receiving
can happen in the moment, the roles aren't as
clear.

A conversation between multiple people passes
the roles of sender and receiver around as each
person takes turns talking or giving feedback
verbally or non-verbally.

Multiple Select

What is your favorite way to communicate?

• Text

  (Phone)

• FaceTime

  (Phone)

• Face to Face

  (In person)

• Written

  Letters

  Instant Message

  Email

Defining Communication

continued…

Copyright© CareerSafe, LLC.

Communication is the process of exchanging information, feelings, ideas, etc. between people. It
involves the verbal language and sounds used as well as non-verbal messages. Remember that
verbal communication includes any kind of text or speech, while non-verbal communication involves
posture, eye contact, facial expressions, body language, spacial positioning, and so on.
Communication involves five main elements: the sender, the receiver, the message, the channel,
and the context. If there are distortions of the message, misunderstandings can occur. We can minimize the chance of misunderstandings through effective listening and by understanding yourself, your audience, and your context -- all of which we will learn more about in future lessons.

Constant Communication

Copyright© CareerSafe, LLC.

Even if you try not to communicate, you're still sending a
signal.

Nonverbal communication (body language,
attentiveness, etc.) will send a strong signal to
anyone you're communicating with, whether you
intend it to or not.

Ignoring communication attempts (such as not
responding to emails, missed calls, voicemails or texts)
still sends feedback to the person trying to initiate
communication.

Word Cloud

What is one word to describe how you feel when someone does not return your call or message you back?

Constant Communication

continued…

Copyright© CareerSafe, LLC.

Even if you try not to communicate, you're still sending a signal. A change or
reduction in nonverbal communication or a delay in responding to a communication attempt can be received as a message that you did not intend. Remember to be mindful of the messages your actions or words (or lack of actions or words) will communicate to others.

Benefits of Effective
Communication

Copyright© CareerSafe, LLC.

There are a lot of reasons to focus on effective
communication. Here is our Top Five List of the
Benefits.

Effective Communication:

1. Builds trust to foster better relationships and

improved interactions.

2. Removes barriers, resolves problems and

prevents issues.

3. Provides clarity which improves efficiency.
4. Increases productivity and engagement.
5. Strengthens teamwork to foster innovation.

Benefits of Effective
Communication continued…

Copyright© CareerSafe, LLC.

There are many benefits of effective communication including building trust,
removing barriers, providing clarity, increasing productivity, and strengthening
teamwork. These things lead to successful outcomes for you and for others.
Learning to be an effective communicator is an important goal you can set for
yourself and completing this course will help you achieve it!

Multiple Select

Select all of the benefits of effective communication.

• Building Trust

• Providing Clarity

• Strengthen

  Teamwork

• More dissagreements

Practice Questions

Copyright© CareerSafe, LLC.

1. Is looking away from someone while they talk
communicating with them?

a. Yes
b. No

3. Which of the following could be benefits from using
clear communication? Select all that apply.

a. Trouble with your job
b. Stable career
c.Better problem solving

d. Misunderstanding
e. Strong relationships
f.Weak relationships

g. Successful teamwork

2. Which of the following are examples of nonverbal
feedback? Select all that apply.

a. Answering a question
b. Looking at the speaker
c.Crossing your arms

d. Speaking up when there's something you

don't understand

e. Glancing at the time
f.Saying “That makes sense”

Multiple Choice

Is looking away from someone while they talk
communicating with them

• Yes

• No

• Maybe

• I don't know

Multiple Select

Which of the following are examples of nonverbal
feedback? Select all that apply.

• Answering a question
  

• Looking at the speaker

• Crossing your arms

• Glancing at the time

• Saying “That makes sense”

Drag and Drop

​ ​

Placeholder

and a​

Placeholder

could be benefits from using
clear communication?

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Strong relationships

stable career

weak relationships

misunderstanding

trouble with your job

Conclusion

Copyright© CareerSafe, LLC.

Well done!

Great job! You've completed the Introduction to
Communication lesson.