Peak Performance: Success in College and Beyond

1. Peak Performance:Success in College and Beyond Chapter 11 Building Healthy and Diverse Relationships

2. Success Principle 11 Focus on COOPERATION, not judgment.

3. The Importance of Communication • Communication is the giving and receiving of ideas, feelings, and information • Must be effective speakers and listeners • Build rapport to find common ground • Be sensitive to nonverbal cues • Develop empathy and make others feel valued • Be comfortable with yourself and comfortable communicating with people from diverse backgrounds • Focus on the other person

4. Strategies for Building Rapport • Assess and clarify intention • Be an active listener: • Listen; don’t talk • Put the speaker at ease • Withhold criticism • Paraphrase • Know when you cannot listen • Look attentive, alert, and interested

5. Strategies for Building Rapport • Be respectful • Use warmth and humor • Relate to a person’s team style • Relate to a person’s learning style

6. Understanding Diversity • Diversity includes: • Gender • Race • Age • Ethnicity • Physical ability • Social and economic background • Religion

7. Understanding Diversity • The workforce of the 21st century will include more women, minorities, and part-time workers • This diversity will bring a different and broader world view • Organizations may offer diversity training • Assess your assumptions, judgments, and views about people who are different from you

8. Communication Strategies • Be aware of your feelings • See the value in diversity • Treat people as individuals • Treat people with respect • Be aware of differences

9. Communication Strategies • Listen • Get involved • Take risks • Apologize when you make a mistake • Speak out • Encourage representation

10. Cultural and Gender Diversity at Work • Managers can create an atmosphere of respect and understanding • The workplace should have firm guidelines that are clearly communicated about the consequences of discrimination • Discrimination is illegal • Diversity has many positive effects on a team

11. Sexual Harassment at School and Work • Organizations with more than 25 employees should practice the following procedures: • Define sexual harassment and disciplinary actions that will result due to inappropriate behavior • Make sure all employees are aware of the policy • Designate a person to handle confidential complaints and concerns • Ensure that work practices are in compliance with stated policy

12. Assertive Communication • Assertive communication is expressing yourself in a direct, above-board, civil manner • You must take responsibility for clarifying your expectations, expressing your needs, and making your own decisions

13. Assertive Communication • Types of communication • Passive people rarely express their feelings, opinions or desires • Aggressive people are sarcastic, critical, and controlling • Passive-aggressive people appear to be passive but act aggressive • Assertive people state their views and needs directly

14. Communicating with Instructors and Advisors • Clarify expectations • Clarify concerns • Adapt to your instructor’s teaching style • Be open to learn • Take responsibility for your own learning • Take an interest in your instructors • Ask for a letter of reference

15. Accepting Criticism and Overcoming Conflict • Stay calm • Establish an open environment • Be open to nonverbal cues • Listen • Don’t justify • Ask for clarification • Focus on the problem • Ask for specific instructive feedback • Focus on solutions • Apologize

16. Overcoming the Barriers to Communication • The main barrier to effective communication is assuming that the other person knows what you mean

17. Overcoming the Barriers to Communication • Other barriers to effective communication include: • Faulty perception • Poor listening skills • Misunderstandings • The need to be right • Cultural, religious, social, and gender differences

18. Overcoming the Barriers to Communication • Keys to effective communication • Desire and willingness to understand and build rapport with others • Seek to clarify intentions • Be an active listener • Show you are interested in others • Paraphrase conversations to assess mutual understanding • Develop healthy relationships built on integrity, respect, trust, and honesty

19. Overcoming Shyness • Use positive self-talk • Use direct and relaxed eye contact • Ask questions • Listen to other points of view • Use humor

20. Building Good Relationships • Progress slowly • Have realistic expectations • Be honest • Be supportive • Have respect • Have trust and be trustworthy • Know that change can occur • Keep the lines of communication open

21. Building Good Relationships • Getting along with roommates and family • Clarify expectations • Discuss expectations during the first meeting • Clarify concerns and agree to communicate with each other • Treat your roommate and family members with respect • Don’t borrow unless necessary

22. Building Good Relationships • Getting along with roommates and family • Take responsibility for your life • Keep your agreements • Accept your roommate’s beliefs • Accept your roommate’s privacy • Get to know each other

23. Peak Performance:Success in College and Beyond Chapter 11 Building Healthy and Diverse Relationships