Improving Communications Skills: Introduction

THIS DOCUMENT WAS PRODUCED BY THE NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM.  IT IS POSTED BY THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES FOR PUBLIC
USE.  THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE CONTENTS.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, REFER TO THE USERS GUIDE.


             UNIT 6: IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS
                          INTRODUCTION

     We know that leaders who have made an impact on us personally
have been effective communicators.  They practice communication
skills one to one, both listening and expressing themselves
effectively.  They are effective in public settings, whether in
groups or in large gatherings, or through the radio or television
media.  What they write is generally clear, understandable, and
inspired.

     Each of these areas of communication is made up of a set of
individual skills, learned, practiced and polished over the years. 
The materials that follow examine six communication skills, with
major emphasis on the building blocks of self observation,
feedback, active listening, and non-verbal expression.  The skills
of public speaking and written expression are included and
opportunities to practice these skills will be provided throughout
your leadership development experience.

     So that you might focus learning where you most need it, the
first exercise is a self-assessment form to provide feedback on
your comfort level with the various skills.

     Someone once said that an idea is worth nothing unless it is
communicated.  Leaders are people who make ideas come alive through
communication skills.

                           ASSUMPTIONS

          þ    Personal power depends on effective communication
               skills.

          þ    Leaders can communicate clearly their feelings,
               needs, thoughts, information, ideas, and visions.

          þ    What leaders tell themselves is often as important
               as what they tell others; the ability to provide
               clear internal feedback in the face of confusing
               external signals is an important skill.  Internal
               clarity leads to external clarity.


                       LEARNING OBJECTIVES

          þ    Participants will understand the importance to
               leadership  these six areas of communication, and
               practice basic skills in each of them: 

                         l) self-observation and affirmation
                         2) giving and receiving feedback
                         3) active listening
                         4) non-verbal expression
                         5) public speaking
                         6) written expression

          þ    Participants will set individual goals for further
               skills development, using a learning contract to
               identify methods, resources needed, and evaluation.

• Lois M. Frey, UVM Extension, RR #4, Box 2298, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 223-2389, email: lfrey@sover.net
• "Group Development: Creating Group Effectiveness" by Duane Dale, DFD Associates, 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-3402 (moving to 764 South East Street, Amherst, MA 01022 after 8/1/98);
• Bob Biagi, 142 Cherry Lane, Amherst, MA 01002 (413) 549-1412;

Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98