David Johnson: Effective messages

Use first person singular pronouns- "I", "My"

Make messages complete and specific

Make verbal and nonverbal messages congruent

Be redundant

Johnson ...

Ask for feedback concerning the way messages are being received

Make messages appropriate to receiver's frame of reference

Describe behavior without evaluating or interpreting

Johnson: Increasing credibility

Dependability, predictability, and consistency influence perceptions of reliability

Intentions and motives--be open to effect you want message to have

Expression of warmth and friendliness important, if genuine

Credibility ...

Majority opinion is very influential. If our friends tell us someone is trustworthy, we tend to believe them

Relevant expertise is important

Assertive speakers are seen as more credible than passive speakers

Monitor voice tone and body language

Be specific

Give your point of view as information

Be honest and direct about what you expect

Share "on air" time

Show respect

Don't assume your message is clear

Focus on the positive--5 or more/1

Avoid jargon

Don't soft pedal

You always know what I mean

I should always know what you mean

Misunderstanding is common because clarity of communication often does not happen

Paraphrasing: responding to basic messages

Clarifying: restating a point or requesting restatement to ensure understanding

Perception checking: determining accuracy of feeling or emotion detected

Leading skills

Indirect leading: getting a conversation started

Direct leading: encouraging and elaborating discussion

Focusing: controlling confusion, diffusion, and vagueness

Questioning: inquiring about specific procedures

Reflecting skills

Reflecting feelings: responding to the emotions being expressed

Reflecting content: repeating ideas in new words for emphasis

Summarizing skills

Summarizing: pulling themes together. EXAMPLE--Let's take a look at what we've decided so far. We have agreed…