Successful Communication and You: Top 10 Tips

1. Successful Communication and You:Top 10 Tips Ann Gillespie CTRS/MBA Lauren Hayes MS CCC/SLP Katie Montelli MS CCC/SLP Allison Robins MS OTR/L Community Rehab Care

2. Communication is….. • A two - way process • Transferring information between individuals • Exchange of thoughts, feelings, ideas and opinions

3. Barriers to Effective Communication after ABI • Impairments in: • Attention • Memory • Executive Functions • Loss of “Filter”

4. Attention • Losing track of a conversation • Making off topic comments • Misinterpreting a message

5. Memory • Repetitive comments and/or questions • Remembering past situations and conversations incorrectly • Interruptions

6. Executive Functions • Inability to let things go • Disorganized and unclear communication • Difficulty seeing a perspective other than your own

7. Loss of “Filter” • Reduced self monitoring can cause: • Running commentary • No internal monologue • Not realizing what may offend or upset someone else

8. Top 10 Tips to Create Successful Communication

9. 10. Use Humor and Smile • Be mindful of your facial expression and body language • Smiling and eye contact can help to engage other people • Don’t be afraid to laugh • You can also send mixed signals if what you say doesn’t match how you look • According to a classic 1968 study by A. Mehrabian in Psychology Today, 93 percent of communication is nonverbal

10. 9. Stay Current • Know your audience and setting to have a variety of topics to discuss • Use different media sources (e.g. TV, newspaper, radio, internet) to be informed • Be in the moment • Focus on sharing current updates from your life instead of only focusing on events from the past (e.g. injury) • Consider all aspects that make you who you are

11. 8. Be Assertive • Use assertive communication strategies (e.g. “I” statements, carrier phrases) to reduce quick, emotional reactions • “I feel _____ when _____ because _____.” • Help promote compromise and have neutral ground to avoid escalating

12. 7. Maintain Personal Space • Monitor your “personal bubble” to avoid being a close talker • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGVSIkEi3mM • Keep at an arms length distance – if you can touch someone easily you’re too close!

13. 6. Stay on Topic • Follow the current topic of conversation • Be mindful of your own agenda • You can always write yourself a reminder of a topic to be discussed later if you don’t want to forget • Provide transitions if switching topics to give flow to the conversation

14. 5. Ask for Clarification • Ask for repetition or clarification if you feel like you may have missed information or information is unclear • Use carrier phrase (e.g. “could you repeat that?” “could you give me a minute to write that down?”) • Rephrase information into your own words to show that you understood it • Ask for information in multiple ways (e.g. written, pictures/diagrams) not just verbally

15. 4. Think “Who Has the Floor?” • If you speak at the same time as another person it makes it difficult to hear and follow the conversation • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4xWU8o2cvA

16. 3. Consider Your “Privacy Circle” • Ask yourself if you know this person well enough to share personal information with them • Also make sure to initiate a social greeting when attempting to enter a conversation • Read the other person’s cues (e.g. body language, facial expression) before continuing a conversation with someone new

17. 2. Be Concise • Monitor your talk time • Conversation should be a back and forth exchange

18. 1. Think Before You Speak • Ask yourself if what you’re about to say could offend someone or be too much information/ inappropriate for the situation • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPrpGCcFtt4

19. Now its Your Turn!!! • Identify what tips you would give “Needle Nose Ned” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMU3WuyvLDY

20. 10 Tips for Safe Interactions with New People • TAKE YOUR TIME BREAKING THE ICE • TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS • DON’T FEEL OBLIGATED • EXERCISE CAUTION • PERSONALITY CONSISTENCY • REVIEW OR REQUEST PHOTOS • CHAT AND EMAIL • VOICE CHAT AND PHONE • FIRST MEETING STEPS • BE OBSERVANT / EXTRA PRECAUTIONS • Village Matchmaker 2/2012

21. 10 First Date Questions • What is your favorite thing to cook? • What books are you reading? • So what do you find attractive? • What do you do for a living? • What is one thing about you that would surprise me? • Describe your favorite day ever! • Your ideal dinner guest would be….. • What is your favorite dessert? • If you could jump on a plane tomorrow where would you like to travel? • Who is your most favorite person living or dead? • Eharmony.com 2/2012

22. Do: Tailor the conversation to your date Keep the conversation lighthearted Listen & ask questions Be on time Make eye contact Be warm & friendly Clean up and make hygiene a priority Don’t: Leave your cell phone on Talk about an ex Wear too much cologne/perfume Discuss negative topics Bring presents Go to “downer” movies Tell religious, political, dirty, etc. jokes Pressure anyone for sex Dating Do’s & Don'ts - Perfectmatch.com 2/2012

23. 10 Tips for a Successful Date Night • Plan • Appropriateness • Sensitivity • Respect • Listen • Stay light • Connect • Anticipate • Laugh • Show appreciation • Perfectmatch.com 2/2012

24. Questions and Scenarios • Any questions? • Apply strategies! Thank you!!