UU150 Final: Effective Communication
Effective Communication: The CANDID approach to difficult conversations
Effective communication is about saying what you want to say in
a clear and appropriateway. By framing your thoughts in a way that motivates and
influences the other person, rather than making them defensive, you will more effectively
communicate your thoughts and reach your goals.
Sometimes, we might want to communicate negative information. We might feel that a
colleague is rude and arrogant, or that the community engagement placement you have
been assigned is not enjoyable or meaningful. Conversations about difficult or sensitive
topics can be quite challenging for us; we may not know how to approach the situation, or
might lack confidence. However, by clearly thinking about what we want to say and howbest
to say it, we can open the door to meaningful and productive discussions.
Start by reading Chapter 1: Why we stink at difficult conversations by Gallagher
(2009).Once you have read that chapter, return here, and continue on with the lesson to
learn about strategies for successful communication.
While it can be challenging to communicate certain topics, or with certain individuals, there
are strategies that we can use to help guide us through these sensitive discussions.
Gallagher (2009) outlined the CANDID approach to successful communication. This
approach includes six steps to effective dialogue;
C: Compartmentalize
A: Ask Questions
N: Normalize the situation
D: Discuss the details
I: Incentivize the outcome
D: Disengage from the discussion
What Else Should I Know?
There are a few additional things that are important to note when communicating.
“you might consider this” can be misinterpreted by someone else who takes the
words literally, leading to a cycle of miscommunication and increasing frustration.
Recommendation: be as direct as possible.
Conversely, someone else’s direct words (“I expect you to do this”) could be
interpreted as rude and offensive by others.
Recommendation: be aware of your own communication expectations, and
different styles from others; do not assume that your way of communicating is the
same as someone else’s.
In some contexts, a comment by a perceived superior is accepted without discussion.
Japanese, for example, typically will bow (literally and metaphorically) to words
coming from a teacher. In others (e.g., an Ivy League liberal arts context) a
teacher’s words are merely starting points for discussion.
Recommendation: be aware of regional/ethnic differences in which exchanges are
bound by rules and expectations that might differ from yours.
In other contexts, males might be considered superior, at least in a public space, so
a woman might not be as forthcoming in expressing her views.
Recommendation: be aware that gender relations are not universal, and that they
affect communication.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Effective communication: the candid approach to difficult conversations. Effective communication is about saying what you want to say in a clear and appropriateway. By framing your thoughts in a way that motivates and influences the other person, rather than making them defensive, you will more effectively communicate your thoughts and reach your goals. Sometimes, we might want to communicate negative information. We might feel that a colleague is rude and arrogant, or that the community engagement placement you have been assigned is not enjoyable or meaningful. Conversations about difficult or sensitive topics can be quite challenging for us; we may not know how to approach the situation, or might lack confidence. However, by clearly thinking about what we want to say and howbest to say it, we can open the door to meaningful and productive discussions.
