Workshop Teaches Communication Skills

Commentary Editor

   Gateway Student Support Services held a Communication Workshop April 9.

   Gateway Counselor Phyllis Waldron explained how every conversation has a sender, the person talking, and a receiver, the person listening to the sender.

   Waldron listed five steps to becoming a good nonverbal listener. The five steps consisted of:

• Be quiet when someone is talking to you.
• Maintain eye contact. If it makes you uncomfortable, then look at the sender's eyebrows or forehead.
• Display openness with your body language.
• Listen without a response.
• Send acknowledgments, such as yes, mmm-hmm's and nodding.

   "Some cultures frown upon eye contact, but here in the United States it's an important way to show we are listening, “Waldron said.

   Waldron further explained how giving feedback, being aware of the sender's body language and setting aside another time if the listener cannot give their full attention are all part of verbal listening displayed by the receiver of the conversation.

   When sending a message to the receiver, avoid using "you" messages such as "You are rude" and "You are inconsiderate" because phrases such as these bring about arguments.

   Junior Billy Huggins said, “Communication is listening to a person, giving that person good feedback and being positive."

   Instead, the sender should use "I" messages, which do not nag, to get their point across, such as "I feel upset" and "I don't understand" because these phrases state facts about the sender’s feelings.

   Ways to properly send an "I" message include:

• Observation
• Feelings
• Wants
• Thoughts
• Intentions

   First-year student Rebekah Vaught said, "Communication is much more than words; it's also tone and actions."

   At the conclusion of the workshop, Waldron pointed out how barriers, such as sitting in a defensive position, asking a question that states a fact and being fearful of the receiver’s reaction, keeps one from sending the intended message.

   "We are programmed for 'you' messages, and it takes practice to improve your communication skills," Waldron said.

   Gateway Student Support Services' next workshop will take place April 15 in Harris Hall 200. The workshop entitled "Stressing Your Dollar," will help with money management. For more information, contact Gateway Director Tawana Greene at 460-1310 or e-mail at jonesta@uamont.edu.

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