what messages am i sending
TRANSCRIPT
What Messages Am I
Sending?
Tips for guiding your communication; How to truly say what you want to
By: Shanoy Coombs,
Development Communication Consultant
www.ShanoyCoombs.com
January 2017
Overview
What we Say versus What we MEAN
How we say what we say and how others INTERPRET it
Non verbal communication/BODY LANGUAGE
Speech APPROPRIATENESS-friends versus adults versus officials
How we communicate via SOCIAL MEDIA and effects on language Development
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
What is Communication?
Process of transferring information from One
place/person to another and includes sender
and receiver.
Importantly, Understanding and Feedback are
integral in the process
Also see definition at www.ShanoyCoombs.com
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
MESSAGES Acronym
Medium and Manner
Expressions
Sound
Say
Audience
General Appearance
Expectation
Social Media
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
Manner
The way in which something is done or how it
happens-method, technique or approach.
A person’s outward bearing or way of behaving
towards others-attitude, appearance, behavior and
how you conduct yourself.
Focuses on How you lookand carry yourself
How you look often sets the tone for what others
expect you to say!
Takeaway: Stand Tall, Walk with Purpose, Be polite but not boastful. Remember First Appearance Lasts!
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
Medium
Refers to the avenue through which you are
communicating
Should be appropriate for the person or persons
with which you are communicating
Is messenger conversation appropriate for your
teacher versus for your friends?
Consider Age, Personality, cultural practices etc
Takeaway: Think clearly about who you are communicating with and the best way to reach them.
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
Expressions
Includes Verbal and Non Verbal cues
Body Language plays an important role in
sending messages
Inspire confidence with eye contact, facial
expressions and body language in line with what
is being said
Remember the Same thing said differently has
different meanings
Takeaway: It is not what you say but HOW you Say it (including
how you LOOK saying it)
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
Sound
Is someone being bored to death? Do you
SOUND Angry? Annoyed? Intelligent? Happy?
The way you SOUND adds to the message that is
being sent.
Aim to listen to your voice! Ensure the pitch, the
volume and rhythm are in line with what you wish
to say.
Takeaway: Tone of Voice is key! Ensure it is line with messages
being sent.
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
Say
What exactly are you communicating?
Is the message clear? Appropriate? Understandable?
How are you saying what you say? Are persons encouraged to listen?
Conversations with peers should differ from that with adults and officials
Phrase sentences correctly, use words properly
Use punctuation appropriately
Takeaway: What you are saying is as important as how you say
it. Give it some thought and BE CLEAR!
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
Audience
Is your message reaching your audience?
Are they able to understand?
Are there any barriers such as age? Cultural
differences? Language differences? These need to be
addressed to send effective messages.
Are you using easily understood terms?
Takeaway: One Size does not fit all! Know who you are
speaking to and adjust the message and medium accordingly.
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
General Appearance
How you look is key to the messages you are
communicating
First Impressions do last
Practice proper posture
Inspire confidence via your appearance
Takeaway: Consider your audience and what is acceptable;
Let your appearance be an extension of your message.
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
Expectations
Your expectations and those of your audience can
affect the messages being sent.
Sometimes expectations may be incorrect-Clarify
ahead and communicate accordingly
Some expectations are important and go a long way-
well spoken, intelligent, confident
Improve messages you are sending by setting
personal expectations and exceeding them.
Takeaway: Different audiences have different expectations.
Seek balance around which is constructive or destructive.
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
Social Media
Social Media has effects on our communication
Habits online and offline
Who are you online and how does this differ
from who you are in person?
Is Social Media language/shorthand affecting your grammar/language development?
Takeaway: Be mindful of how you present/represent yourself
online. Ensure a virtual persona does not take away from who
you are as a person.
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
Key Points to remember
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com
Medium and Manner
Expressions
Sound
Say
Audience
General Appearance
Expectation
Social Media
THANK YOUAre you social? Connect with Shanoy Coombs
on Twitter @InspiraShan
www.ShanoyCoombs.com
(c) Shanoy Coombs, Development Communication Consultant www.ShanoyCoombs.com