Very good point yes to always be friendly and never cut off the student because this is also where the bonding could take place which you may also earn trust.
I will be sure I have a scrip, go over the scrip with my manager and any follow up questions I may have to ensure that I would be able to adapt.
Writing down question and answers in advance may also be very helpful to ensure my communication may stay focused on keeping my conversations on track to ensure we share the best communication possible and there is a complete understanding of what my school has to offer.
Erin, it sounds like you have a plan in place to help out with improving your communication. Keep up the good work.
Dr. Jean Norris
I'll have to set up 'guardrails' to keep myself on track. Going 'back to basics' and being personable will bring the communication by to its intended purpose. And Practice!
Tangela,
Thanks for your post! Asking good questions is the right place to start. What are some of the questions you might ask to adapt your communication to keep the student engaged?
Dr. Jean Norris
I would start by asking good probing questions with the student and always make sure the student is not off track with the connection we build together this would keep the student more engaged in why they are wanting to continue to change there life .
Laura, thank you for sharing this. I love the engagement piece. You have it right - it is about the student. I'm curious, what other pieces of your delivery do you plan on working on?
Dr. Jean Norris
When I first started in this position, I was getting lots of glazed over looks as I covered the program information. I’ve learned to incorporate more questions to engage the prospective student and make it a conversation. Also, interjecting aspects that connect the program content to things they’ve said about their interests or experiences. I’ve also gotten better about changing my voice tone and inflecting more excitement into my description of the program and what we offer – ultimately making it more about THEM and not the information. I still want to improved on these and other aspects of my delivery style.
Leslie,
Good point! What are some of your "techniques" for staying focused on the actual topic?
Dr. Jean Norris
You need to try and stay focused on what the actual topic is, so that way you don't continously venture off.
Chloe, thanks for sharing this. It sounds like you have certain points that you want to ensure you discuss with your potntial students. I wonder, how have the students responded when you steer the conversation back?
Dr. Jean Norris
If the communication ventures off point, I very politely steer it back to my key points. I have not encountered this very often. The most important thing is to be polite and adapt while keeping control of the communication. My primary form of communication is email.
Stephanie, great point. Looking beyond the words spoken can be a really effective way to build rapport with the student. I'm curious, what techniques do you use in order to read the student?
Dr. Jean Norris
Should communication venture beyond the key points, I would venture into a more open form of communication with the student through phone or preferably in person. This way through hearing their tone and/or seeing their body language I can be more certain the students needs, concerns are being addressed.
Patty,
Thank you for sharing your strategies. Taking notes is a great way to have a written record of your conversation and your notes also provide something for you to refer back to in future conversations. I also get the sense that you do your best to give your students your undivided attention, which is wonderful! What are some other ideas that you have for adapting to another person's communication style?
Dr. Jean Norris
The main stategies I use to remember is taking notes, and never interrupt my student whenever they are talking
Patty,
Excellent approach! Paraphrasing what your student has said does require that you focus your listening. It also demonstrates to the student that they have been heard - which is a powerful thing when building true rapport with another individual. What are some of the strategies that you use to remember what you've heard from your students to paraphrase?
Shannon Gormley
My way of adapting is by listening carefully and parapharsing to make sure I understand what the student needs are, I will then use that to builb a rapport.
Thanks for sharing your approach, Jenny. It sounds like you do your best to remain focused on your student and what they're sharing with you. I imagine your students appreciate the time you give to listen to them. Keep up the good work!
Dr. Jean Norris
I never like to cut a potential student off and I always want to remain friendly and find common ground, so i will venture off track with the potential student, but i will find a way to relate what we are talking about back to the main topic...it seems to work well!
