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Communication Strategies Worksheets Part 2 PRINTABLE VERSION
Communication Strategies Worksheets
Part 2 PRINTABLE VERSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Session Eight: Body Language ................................................................................................ 1
Session Nine: Communication Styles ....................................................................................... 5
Dichotomies in Action ........................................................................................................................ 7
Session Ten: Creating a Positive Self-Image .......................................................................... 12
Pre-Assignment Review .................................................................................................................. 13 Self-Evaluation .................................................................................................................................. 14
Session Twelve: Techniques for the Workplace ...................................................................... 15
Testing Our Theories ....................................................................................................................... 16 Delivering Your Message ................................................................................................................ 17
Session Thirteen: Assertiveness ............................................................................................ 18
Case Study: A Negative Image ...................................................................................................... 19
Personal Action Plan ............................................................................................................. 20
Communication Strategies Part 2 Worksheets
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Session Eight: Body Language
Physical comedy is a great way to add meaning to a message. Watching someone fall
down, trip over a mysterious object, or end up all messy are all things that can lead to
laughter. While we aren’t that obvious in the workplace, it’s pretty clear that our body
language can add a lot to our communication.
In this session, we will learn about misconceptions of body language while we explore
the physical aspects of conversations, as well as the use of gestures.
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Look at the images below. Beside each one, write what you think is happening and what it means to you.
Illustration What is happening? How do you feel about it?
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Illustration What is happening? How do you feel about it?
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Illustration What is happening? How do you feel about it?
What are some other ways that these images could be interpreted?
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Session Nine: Communication Styles
A dichotomy is when something is divided into two non-overlapping parts or opinions. Different groups can be discussed in terms of their preferences in communication styles, and knowledge of those dichotomies will help you develop more sophisticated communication skills. In this session, we will explore communication styles as you consider each side of a dichotomy. You will think about your own preferences and the preferences of others, and how this can make you a better communicator.
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Making Connections
Do you prefer direct or indirect communication?
Why do you think you feel this way?
How do you communicate with others?
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Dichotomies in Action
Step One
Choose three of these dichotomy pairs.
o abstract - concrete
o accommodating - competing
o active - passive
o animated - lethargic
o arrogant - humble
o assertive - meek
o attached - detached
o big picture - details
o cooperative - competitive
o decisive - indecisive
o deep - shallow
o direct - indirect
o factual - intuitive
o formal - informal
o harmonious - disruptive
o hesitant - impulsive
o individualistic - team oriented
o listening - talking
o objective - subjective
o optimistic - pessimistic
o organized - chaotic
o patient - impatient
o personal - impersonal
o playful - serious
o realistic - idealistic
o reflective - impulsive
o simple - complex
o structured - flexible
o taking turns - interrupting
o tense - relaxed
o yes, and - yes, but
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Step Two
List the advantages and disadvantages or examples of each side of each dichotomy. Dichotomy One: _____________________
Advantages Disadvantages
Side A:
Side B:
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Dichotomy Two: _____________________
Advantages Disadvantages
Side A:
Side B:
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Dichotomy Three: _____________________
Advantages Disadvantages
Side A:
Side B:
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Step Three
What can you conclude from this exercise?
How can you use this exercise to become more empathetic and a better communicator?
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Session Ten: Creating a Positive Self-Image
Some people give little thought to their image, while others seem to focus on it
exclusively. While dressing well can be inconvenient at times (since dry cleaning,
ironing, and fabric care take some time and money), it can do great things for your
career.
In this session, we will discuss how self-image influences your results, and what you
can do to improve your self-image with your career in mind.
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Pre-Assignment Review
Think back to your pre-assignment. How would your evaluation differ now?
What might people say about you if your picture was in a magazine?
What lessons can we take away from this about self-image and assumptions?
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Self-Evaluation
Part One: Self-Assessment Read the following questions. Check yes or no for each question.
Yes No
Have you tried to wear your hair in a different way? Some ideas: part it on the other side, straighten it, curl it, color it, or have it buzzed short.
Do your glasses allow for good eye contact to take place?
Do people notice your jewelry?
Are people distracted by your clothing or jewelry?
Do you organize the clothes in your closet so that they are coordinated for easy dressing in the morning?
Are you always neatly groomed? (Includes a daily shower, nails neat and trimmed, clothes clean and pressed, and shoes polished.)
Part Two: A Plan for Change List three habits about your dress and appearance that you want to enhance, strengthen, or eliminate.
1.
2.
3. Write out your plan to achieve these changes.
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Session Twelve: Techniques for the Workplace
Why is it that some workplaces seem so engaged and efficient, and others are always struggling? Can communication skills really make a big difference? If you think about writing papers while you were in high school or college, and how strongly your teacher encouraged you to create an outline, you’ll know that it can. In this session, we’ll learn about effective and efficient ways to approach a conversation, and how a plan can help things to stay on track and be effective.
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Testing Our Theories
Situation One
Your supervisor calls you to say that he has chosen someone else for a project team position that you were hoping for. You love your current job, but you know you would have done a great job on that project team. Your first reaction is to be mad at your boss for being a jerk and not selecting you. Using positive intent, think of a reason your boss would have selected someone else.
Situation Two
You are in a team meeting and you suggest a great solution to the problem. Your supervisor says that she cannot go in that direction, and asks the team for other suggestions. Using positive intent, think of a reason your supervisor would have answered that way.
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Delivering Your Message
Check for understanding. You do not have to wait for the end of a conversation to make sure you and your
conversation partner understand each other. You can check for understanding
throughout the conversation to make sure that things are on track by using some of the
following questions or statements.
o What do you think about what I just said?
o Let’s summarize what we have covered so far.
o Please tell me what you’re thinking.
o Does that make sense?
o If you were going to share this with the team, what would you say?
o What is not making sense here?
Ways to check for understanding:
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Session Thirteen: Assertiveness
How confident are you when it comes to delivering your message? Being assertive means that you know what you want to say, and that you have a message to deliver that is non-judgmental and clear. In this session, we will discuss the elements of assertive statements. You will then learn a method for delivering statements clearly so that you can get what you want or need.
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Case Study: A Negative Image
Marlene’s Promotion
Marlene, a supervisor in a government department, managed a staff of twelve people.
Over and over as a child she had heard her parents say, “Don’t ask such dumb questions,”
and “What makes you think you know anything about that?” She was made a supervisor
because for years she was a first class worker who never raised her voice and got along
well with everybody in the department. She didn’t feel that she had good supervisory skills
but she didn’t know how to turn down the promotion.
After being promoted, Marlene found her world falling apart. She disliked giving orders
and couldn’t face on-the-job conflicts. She couldn’t bring herself to tell her employees
what she thought when they voiced an opinion different from hers, even though she felt
she was right. She also found it impossible to criticize their below-standard work, even
though it was getting worse under her supervision.
Her self-talk included, “I’m stupid,” and “I can’t make decisions.” Thus she did stupid
things that resulted in her staff thinking less of her. She also took a long time to make
decisions, so she was seen as wishy-washy.
Marlene decided to do something about her perception of herself, and to gain control over
her internal and external image.
What steps would you suggest she take?
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Personal Action Plan
Now that you have completed this course on Communication Strategies, how will you
use the things you have learned? Creating a personal action plan can help you to stay
on track and on target. When you take responsibility for yourself and your results, you
get things done!
In this session, you will be asked questions to help you plan your short-term and long-
term goals. This final exercise is a way for you to synthesize the learning that you have
done and to put it into practice.
I am already doing these things well:
I want to improve these areas:
I have these resources to help me:
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As a result of what I have learned in this course, I am going to…
My target date is…
I will know I have succeeded when…
I will follow up with myself on…
