Communication Quotes

Seven Principles of Good Communication 1. Keep it simple 2. Use metaphors and analogy 3. Use many different forums to spread the word 4. Repeat, repeat, repeat 5. Lead by example 6. Explicitly address inconsistencies 7. Listen and be listened to

What we learn to do, we learn by doing. The EAR model is a useful tool for effective listening: E – EXPLORE using open-ended questions such as “What” and “How”, OBSERVE non-verbals A – ACKNOWLEDGE by paraphrasing what you think the message was R – RESPOND When listening, people spend most of their time responding. To be an effective communicator, spend more time exploring, observing and acknowledging.

A facilitator was presenting a session on leadership to the security and administration staff of a California woman’s prison. In order to get the attention of the group after breaks and sub-group discussions, the facilitator suggested using an old wagon train technique of raising the hand and shouting “Ho!” The group gave a non-verbal indication that showed some uneasiness. The facilitator inquired as to their concern and discovered that in a woman’s prison the word “ho” was slang for “whore”. Needless to say, shouting “Ho!” would NOT be appropriate in this setting!

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY! In the course of your conversation each and every day, Think twice, try to be careful of what you have to say; Your remarks may be picked up by someone’s ear, You may be surprised at what some people think they hear. Things that you innocently say, or try to portray, Can be changed, and greatly exaggerated along the way; Many stories change for the worse as they are retold So try to keep any questionable remarks “on hold”. May I give all of you some very sound advice? When you speak of others, say something nice; Try to say good things, regardless of who is around, If you have nothing good to say, don’t utter a sound. You may find that an innocent remark, in the end, May lose you a close and valued friend.

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SAY, IT’S HOW YOU SAY IT: – “You look like the first day of Spring” vs “You look like the last day of a long hard winter” – “When I look at you, the wheels of time stand still” vs “Your face could stop a clock”

When bitten by a poisonous snake, what’s the best thing to do? Remain quiet, apply a suction cup if you have a snakebite kit, seek help. What’s the worse thing to do? Get upset, chase the snake, and kill it. When unintentionally or intentionally the victim of an unkind remark, what’s the best thing to do? Forgive, move on, let go of the anger and resentment. What’s the worse thing to do? Strike back, harbor resentment and anger.

BODY LANGUAGE often communicates more than words do. In front of a group, do the following: Say “Watch me and do what I ask you to do. Make a circle with your thumb and forefinger – like this. Now put this circle on your chin.” (As you say this, put the circle on your cheek.) Many will put the circle on their cheek rather than their chins, showing that they were following the body language rather than the words.

How many languages are there in the world? How about almost 6 billion! Each of us talks, listens, and thinks in his/her own special language that has been shaped by our culture, experiences, profession, personality, mores and attitudes. The chances of us meeting someone else who talks the exact same “language” is pretty remote. (By the way, it is estimated that there are approximately 4500 different languages spoken in the world, depending on how you view certain dialects.)

In 1931, Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein drove down a street together. Pedestrians waved and cheered. Chaplin explained all of this: “The people are applauding you because none of them understands you, and applauding me, because everybody understands me.”

or the first six months, you should listen and not become involved in debate,” Disraeli advised a newly elected member of Parliament. “But,” the man replied, “my colleagues will wonder why I do not speak.” “Better they should wonder why you do not speak,” explained Disraeli, “than why you do.”

Seven Principles of Good Communication 1. Keep it simple 2. Use metaphors and analogy 3. Use many different forums to spread the word 4. Repeat, repeat, repeat 5. Lead by example 6. Explicity address inconsistencies 7. Listen and be listened to

Five Phases of a Collaborative Conversation 1. Clarify the purpose of the conversation 2. Gather divergent views and perspectives 3. Build shared understanding of divergent views and perspectives 4. Create “new” options by connecting different views 5. Generate a conversation for action

Communication Barriers: 1. Name-calling 2. Diagnosing 3. Ordering (Saying “Do it or else!” only stimulates curiosity about the “else”) 4. Threatening 5. Diverting (“So you think you’ve had a bad day ….”) 6. Sarcasm (“Can’t you take a joke?”) 7. Dragging up the past 8. Negative comparisons (“Why aren’t you more like …”) 9. Judgemental “You” messages 10. Lecturing

No Trifle A friend had admired a beautiful statue that Michelangelo had carved. Coming to him some time later, the friend was surprised to find him still working on the same statue. Michelangelo pointed out all the improvements he had made in the meantime, to which his friend replied, ??ut these are only trifles.??In reply, Michelangelo said: ??es, that is true. But trifles make perfection and perfection is no trifle!??So while many times the refinements made in understanding may not seem of great importance, they do help to make our understanding of a subject more nearly complete or perfect.

Communication Barriers 1. Name-calling 2. Diagnosing 3. Ordering (Saying “Do it or else!” only stimulates curiosity about the “else”) 4. Threatening 5. Diverting (“So you think you’ve had a bad day ….”) 6. Sarcasm (“Can’t you take a joke?”) 7. Dragging up the past 8. Negative comparisons (“Why aren’t you more like …”) 9. Judgmental “You” messages 10. Lecturing

You can say “no” and smile only when there’s a bigger “yes” burning inside you.

Writers have two main problems. One is writer’s block, when the words won’t come at all, and the other is logorrhea, when the words come so fast that they can hardly get to the wastebasket in time.

Women speak two languages, one of which is verbal.

Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.

When you are angry say nothing and do nothing until you have recited the alphabet.

When you are in it up to your ears, keep your mouth shut.

When it comes to talking, supply often exceeds demand.

When in doubt, ask. When not in doubt, ask. If you are not in doubt, you may be kidding yourself.

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear.

When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred.

When all is said and done, usually more has been said than done!

What you read is news. What you hear is background. What you feel is opinion.

What is the shortest word in the English language that contains the letters: abcdef? Answer: feedback. Don’t forget that “feedback” is one of the essential elements of good communication.

What do you mean we don’t communicate? Just yesterday I faxed you a reply to the recorded message you left on my answering machine.

Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech.