Communication skills

People will be more open to communicating with you if ...

• You give them Money, like a butt load of cash.

• Manipulate their thoughts and ideas through careful planning.

• Show Respect and Appreciation for who they are as people

• Invite them to do things you think would be fun.

When you listen actively to a person

• The person you are speaking to should have your undivided attention.

• Run in place to stay active while listening to the person.

• You should ask lots of questions to convince them you were listening.

• Patiently sit there and wait for your turn to talk.

Asking questions and paraphrasing what someone says after they finish speaking is overbearing and rude.

• True- they know what they are talking about, no need to steal more oxygen by repeating everything.

• False- asking questions and paraphrasing shows you are listening.

You should always make ________________ when speaking to someone.

• eye contact

• dolphin noises

• attempts to smile and shake your head yes

• them feel like the most important person in the room by looking them up and down repeatedly. For fun ask them to twirl.

You are speaking to a bunch of people and you begin to tell an embarrassing story about someone in the group. People in the group begin to look around the room and check their phones. They are doing so because

• They are getting their phones out to record your hilarious story.

• They are turned off by your inappropriate story.

• They are looking around the room to see if its okay to laugh.

• They are playing Poke'mon Go!

Ummmmm and uhhhhh are

• Conversation fillers

• ways to emphasize your point

• a great way to pause before speaking

• normal reactions to thought

It is important to be ________________ and _________________ when speaking to someone.

• Brief and Specific

• witty and convincing

• slow and time consuming

• thoughtful and judgemental

You are in an important meeting that requires your utmost attention. This meeting means a lot to all involved. You feel a buzzing of a cellphone in your pocket. What do you do?

• Answer it, it could be important.

• Excuse yourself politely and leave the room to take the call.

• Apologize, pull your phone out and explain that you need to text this person and tell them your busy.

• Ignore the call altogether and give the meeting your undivided attention.

You are speaking to a friend who is upset about something you don't agree with. How do you best approach the situation?

• Tell them to shut up.

• Try to change the topic to something better.

• Try and point out facts and ideas which may change their opinion to something better.

• Acknowledge their thoughts and validate that they have a right to feel that way.

Your best friend has begun to tell you something which means a lot to them. A few minutes into their explanation you realize you need to tell them something before you forget.

• Interrupt them before you forget.

• Wait until an appropriate time to speak.

• Wait, but make it known through your body language and facial expressions that you have something to say as well.

• Place your finger over your lips and say "SHHHHHHHHH!, I am speaking now."