I feel I have a pretty firm grasp on the hierarchy. I made a separate post about remembering cultural or religious differences between you and your student as you try to move up the ladder of communication.
Although, working on the Content/Context of statements made from my students can help me better successfully guide them toward their college goals.
LeAnn, That is a great point. What are some other topics that you can discuss that will allow you to get to know your student better and perhaps find a common interest?
Dr. Jean Norris
Sometimes it is difficult for me to move from one stage of the hierarchy to the next. Though conversation can often move through the stages smoothly, sometimes it can be difficult to push the conversation to the next level. I think the continually most difficult stage to cross is from small-talk into common interest. Once I start talking about the weather, it can sometimes be difficult to move onto another more meaningful topic if it doesn't come about naturally.
Carlos, Great awareness! I want to make sure I am understanding you; when you are using the hierarchy, are you spending time completing each step?
Dr. Jean Norris
I would have to say the slowing down is my biggest challenge,i'm already thinking of the next topic as i'm finishing the current one.
What i have been doing lately is trying to speak at the same pace but not to obvious as my student this has been working,however if there is anything you could add please let me know so i can improve myself with this issue.
Julie, The communication hierarchy is a nice tool to help build rapport with your students. Making sure to reach mutual interest before you give your opinion will allow your student to more readily accept the information/opinions you are sharing. Have you had the opportunity to use your new approach to the communication hierarchy?
Dr. Jean Norris
I would have to say that I jump ahead. From what I learned in this module, I'd be able to build more quality relationships if I followed the steps: ritual, small talk, mutual interest, opinions, feelings and bonding.
Great awareness, Julie. Jumping right in can be intimidating. Small talk can be as simple as the weather, or something big that is taking place in the world (i.e. the Olympics, or Spring coming, etc). Taking the time to build that rapport is essential for a successful student interaction. What are some other things you can talk about in small talk?
Dr. Jean Norris
My biggest challenge is small talk. I often move too fast to the other stages by jumping right in and it sometimes intimidates the prospect. I have learned to start by asking questions about why this is the right time and what is going on in their life right now to make this happen. good ice breaker.
It's so important to find mutual interest, Rachel. Great that you are doing that! It is very unlikely you will reach the bonding level in the hierarchy. This model comes from the world of marriage counseling, and it is not intended that you reach the bond level with your student. What are some things you can do to reach the feelings stage?
Dr. Jean Norris
I think I have the hardest time bonding with people, I can usually find mutual interest and can share opinions but have a tough time going much further than that.
Ricky, That is a great point! When moving into the opinion phase of the communication hierarchy, it's essential to remember that you must first achieve mutual interest. Can you give an example of mutual interest?
Dr. Jean Norris
I think the one part of the Communication Hierarchy that challenges me the most is the Opinion level.
It's a hard one to call. What I mean by that is knowing when to give an opinion (if ever) when talking with someone and knowing how much of that opinion to give.
To improve? Probably see what direction the conversation is moving and when completely certain, inject a small opinionated statement.
Again, Thacha, great awareness. Keep up the good work!
Dr. Jean Norris
Gaining trust is not alway easy for me therefore mutual interest would be one of the communication hierarchy that challenges me the most . Now that i know of a few steps to start with like ritual and small talk, these are two things that I will work on more in order to feel comfortable at the mutual interest level.
Tracy,
This is great awareness. And remember...the idea is that your opinions have a much better chance of being received if you move through the hierarchy in order.
Dr. Jean Norris
Feeling is the most challenging for me. I have strong opinions so the hierarchy foundation may be a little shaky. I will rely on listening and reading people which should help with opinions and understanding. This should help so I can relate better at the feeling stage.
Great awareness Darla. Are you a person that has the natural ability to make small talk or do you have to work at it? I welcome others to comment on their experiences too.
Small talk is very important when I communicate with possible students. Many students have been umemployed in my recruiting area for sometime or have been layed off due to shut down of factory's. Getting them to feel comfortable and listening to their needs can help them make the right choice in their training needs.
Based on what you learned in this module, how valuable do you think small talk is to building rapport with your students?
