Using Communication Skills to Enact Change

Using effective communication helps better understand a person or policy, while enabling one to resolve differences, build trust and respect, and create environments where creative ideas, problem solving, affection, and caring can flourish at both personal and professional levels. Two communication skills that are important to personify when leading policy change include listening and emotional awareness. First, “Listening is one of the most important aspects of effective communication. Successful listening means not just understanding the words or the information being communicated, but also understanding how the speaker feels about what they’re communicating” (Helpguide, n.d).  Building listening skills is important because it makes the speaker feel heard and understood, creates a safe environment, saves time, and relieves any negativity attached to the policy.  Secondly, the feelings expressed through listening are also a part of building emotional awareness. “Emotions play an important role in the way we communicate and what motivates you to communicate or to make decisions. The way you react to emotionally driven, nonverbal cues affects both how you understand other people and how they understand you” (Helpguide, n.d.). Being emotionally aware is important because you can become understanding and empathize with others ideas through building strong, trusting, and rewarding relationships.

Communication has always been a strong skill on mine.  I have always been known to say what needs to be said, but in a direct, appropriate, and considerate manner.  As the head of the language arts department, I have to be readily available to offer advice, strategies, information, or teamwork opportunities.  When problems arise, being a good listener, being emotionally aware and compassionate about the circumstance gets the best outcome. Using the 7 C’s of communication, “Clear, Concise, Concrete, Correct, Coherent, Complete, and Courteous” are not only an important steps to follow, but would be appropriate when communicating a policy” (Mind Tools, n.d.).

References

Helpguide.org. (n.d.). Effective communication. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/effective_communication_skills.htm

Mind Tools. (n.d.). The 7 Cs of communication: A checklist for clear communication. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCS_85.htm