Delivering a clear message is important for sure. How do you know when you're communicating effectively with a group?
you try to speak to the overall group as one entity. this way the message is clear and collective.
I make sure to have equal eye contact, ask questions to everyone, and not solo anyone out. Make sure everyone in the group feels involved.
Great approach Nathan. Making eye contact is a good way to connect with your audience and to let them know that you are listening to them.
I always make sure to make eye contact with everyone in the group. If there are two or more people, I prefer for all of them to sit on the opposite end of the table so that it's easier for me to see all of them and, more importantly, for all of them to see me while I'm talking. This also makes them feel more comfortable, as they are usually friends or family and sitting next to each other eases them up a bit.
If there is more than one person I include all parties in every aspect of what the task is. Also being polite and respectful at all times.
I make sure that the office set up allows communication with both parties. I also interact with each indivisual and not just 1
I always feel a bit awkward with this simply because I want the focus to be on the person that has the appointment with me and not on the over bearing parent, husband or friend. Sometimes when an appointment brings more than one person as support a parent the appointment does not get the attention and the information they need I feel anyway.
I would love to have feedback on how to be more affective and less awkward at this.
Denise
It would depend on which party initiated the communication. If initiated by the group, I would ask for feedback from each member regarding their purpose or needs from the communication. If I initiated the communication, I would state the purpose for my communication, and ask for feedback as to whether my purpose was understood. That approach will allow me to communicate in a way that addresses the group not one individual.
I usually communicate with a group in a similar way. I use eye contact, positive body language, remain respectful and reflect. In a group each person can interpret a phrase or sentence differently. In order to bring unity, I ask questions for clarity to make sure we are all on the same page. In groups it’s important to get feedback from group members so that the instructor or counselor is aware of any miscommunication.
For me if I am communicating with more than one person at a time I first make sure that I facing both/all of them so that I can make eye contact and all present an open body language to everyone involved in the discussion. I make sure to acknowledge everyone and make eye contact and listen intently to whoever is speaking.
In speaking to a group of people I will use eye contact and use their names to keep them involved in the discussion. I will ask them specific questions to make sure they are paying attention and make sure they understand the topic of conversation.
The way that I communicated with a group of people is that when I speak that I have eye contact with everyone and after our during the discussion I would ask for any questions that anyone may ask and listen to there response and then respond.
Ben, you bring up a great point here - active listening is important. It sounds like you have a great way of observing not only the group's behavior, but your own.
Dr. Jean Norris
Curtis, great points here. These steps will ensure that everyone heard the same message.
Dr. Jean Norris
Heather, thanks for sharing this. I'm curious, what has been your experience communicating with more than one person on the phone, like a spouse or parent?
Dr. Jean Norris
Devin, you have some great points here and it sounds like you have really thought about the best way to communicate with groups. Great job.
Dr. Jean Norris
Great job Lynn. It sounds like you find it important to engage both people in the conversation.
Dr. Jean Norris
Jessica, I like that you make sure to include every person in the group by making sure they get ample time to express their needs, wants or concerns. Great job.
Dr. Jean Norris
In some of my conversations, a student will want a spouse to join the call. I welcome the spouse, ask their name, and summarize what I've heard the student say and what I've shared prior to their joining the call. I use both of their names during the conversation, open it up for questions from either of them, and respond to each and both in an affirming, respectful, encouraging way.
