Principles of Communication (Heather Hansen)

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the key elements for effective communication and building strong relationships. Using a Venn diagram, they highlight three crucial areas: conscious communication, which involves self-awareness and cultural understanding; confidence, which encompasses both skills and self-worth; and connected communication, which focuses on psychological safety and human connection. The speaker emphasizes the importance of authenticity, feeling safe in relationships, and how these factors drive rapport and inspire action, especially in today's digital world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Conscious communication includes cross-cultural elements and self-awareness.
• 😀 Authenticity requires understanding one's own values before trying to be authentic.
• 😀 Confidence is necessary for effective communication, and it includes both skill development and self-worth.
• 😀 Many professionals struggle with sharing their ideas due to a lack of self-confidence and feeling their ideas don't matter.
• 😀 Connected communication involves psychological safety in the workplace and the relationships built within it.
• 😀 People skills are crucial for building strong connections in professional environments.
• 😀 Digital communication has made some individuals struggle with human connection and interpersonal skills.
• 😀 Effective communication relies on building rapport and inspiring action in others.
• 😀 Understanding how to communicate effectively in both physical and digital spaces is essential for building strong teams.
• 😀 The three key circles in communication—conscious communication, confidence, and connected communication—are interrelated and essential for strong relationships.

Q & A

What are the three key elements for effective communication according to the speaker?

The three key elements are conscious communication, confidence, and connected communication.

What does conscious communication encompass?

Conscious communication includes cross-cultural elements and self-awareness, emphasizing the importance of understanding who you are and your values.

Why is self-awareness important for authenticity in communication?

Self-awareness is crucial because without knowing your values and who you truly are, it’s difficult to be authentic in communication.

How does confidence play a role in communication?

Confidence is essential for effective communication. It includes both skills confidence (gained through training) and self-worth, knowing your ideas matter and should be shared.

What does the 'connected communication' circle focus on?

Connected communication focuses on the psychological safety of the environment and the relationships built within that environment, emphasizing the importance of people skills.

How does psychological safety contribute to effective communication?

Psychological safety ensures individuals feel safe to share their ideas and contribute without fear of judgment, which is essential for fostering open and effective communication.

What is the importance of building relationships in communication?

Building relationships is key to inspiring action and creating rapport, which ultimately helps in connecting with others and fostering stronger communication.

What is the challenge mentioned about communication in the digital age?

The challenge is that, as we move online, people have forgotten how to connect and be human, struggling to build meaningful relationships in digital environments.

Why is it important to have people skills in communication?

People skills are vital for establishing trust, rapport, and connections, which are necessary to inspire action and foster strong relationships in any communication setting.

How does the speaker suggest professionals can overcome barriers to communication?

The speaker suggests that professionals can overcome communication barriers by developing conscious communication, building confidence, and fostering connected communication through relationship-building and people skills.