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Communications & Logistics Our main forms of communication: Communication Skills
Remember the majority of communication is not just verbal or what you say – but how you say it and that there may also be foreigners coming to the area to help during a disaster who want to help. Cultural sensitivity means that they may sometimes make mistakes and not understand the culture of the local people but it should be remembered that they came to help and would not knowingly cause offence or mean to insult the people. Remember: “Communication is only as EFFECTIVE as the message RECEIVED” (whatever message you think you might have sent!)
In any interpersonal communication you are not just dealing with the actual ‘language’ and ‘words’ but the emotions and impressions at the time. For example, someone may say “give me that rope” and if you know them well and you are in an emergency you may give it without thinking. But if you do not know the person and there is no rush you may like to hear “please…” or you may feel like they are being rude. An Introduction to Communication
When we communicate with someone, face to face, it is interesting to note that some 55% of the message comes from our body language, the kinesics. A study done by Dr. Albert Mehrabian found that the exchange of information comprises of the following:-
• 55% NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION; Kinesics, Body Language, gestures... • 38% VOCAL; Tone of voice, volume, pitch, modulation, etc. • 7% VERBAL; Actual words, chosen language, content. Sometimes you may see these figures vary slightly but in any case, you will conclude that the majority of the message in our two-way face to face communication, is Non-verbal communication. Therefore, it is important to use the appropriate body language, conducive to our intended meaning when delivering a message. HOW TO IMPROVE LISTENING SKILLS • Focus on the person VOCAL SKILLS Therefore, if one is aware of the voice and its' characteristics, traits and ability to send a message, one may be better able to send the message. Here are some of voice adjectives and their meaning.
PITCH Usually the depth of the voice. "Her speaking pitch was low." Lower voices tend to 'carry' more. Lower voices are usually associated with authority and control. INTONATION TONE TIMBRE AND NATURAL TONE PACE CADENCE VOLUME MODULATION/INFLECTION That was a presupposition. I presupposed that you would finish this book… Have you ever noticed how people communicate their belief, expectations and desires in their language. In Neuro-Linguistic Programming we call these, "Presuppositions." Salesmen do it all the time...sometimes very skilfully. Walk into a restaurant and hear, BEHAVIOURAL PRESUPPOSITIONS PROXEMICS' Just by changing distances between subjects, feelings and personal behaviour may be positive or adversely affected. Such as the act of closing a distance, can have two separate responses and reactions. If you are trying to intimidate someone, you may step into their 'face' and elicit a defensive reaction from that person. They may become so defensive that they become hostile and aggressive. Conversely you could be with a member of the opposite sex that you are attracted to and the opportunity may arise that you have to be 'physically' close. Maybe a ride on a rush hour packed train or you are pushed together at a rock concert. Suddenly, the personal space is invaded but now it results in a different reaction. Assuming both parties feel the same way about each other the 'closeness' may be most welcome. Dr. Hall broke down these territorial needs, attempting to standardize the science of 'proxemics' into 4 distinct zones, which are then split up further into near and far sub-zones. These are:- Table: Dr. Hall's Proxemic Zones" BEING COGNIZANT OF CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS; SOME RACE RELATIONS & CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS So imagine then, having a cross cultural communication. This additional factor will surely just compound the possibility of a misinterpretation. In the following paragraphs, I have identified my four main factors, which I believe, could affect inter-racial and cross cultural communication. It may not be necessary to actually learn a new language but at least find out "how they communicate." Do they like to touch or maybe touching is inappropriate. Do they sit and speak close to you or far away? Do they use a lot of gestures or look you in the eyes, etc., Once we have learnt these components of their language and culture it becomes easier to build rapport with them. We have to learn about the practises of other cultures to help develop our knowledge of how to live with and deal with these cultures. There may be a lot to learn here and it is really not that difficult to deal with a lot of different cultures, when you have to. It's just a matter of gaining rapport and getting the job done. MOVING TO RACIAL HARMONY
These days, there are a lot of community based programmes. Cultural sensitivity is very important. In most cases – people do not want to knowingly offend another group in a Humanitarian deployment but their lack of sensitivity to cultural customs or behaviour may cause offence. It is important to those new to a country or people to be a both tolerant and understanding and also to be sensitive at the same time. Consideration is important. PRINCIPLES OF RAPPORT ARE UNIVERSAL. We should be understanding of their lack of local knowledge and usually they will also be trying to be sensitive to things they do not know or understand. If you need to communicate on a mobile device like a telephone or a radio it is worth learning the International Phonetic Alphabet which is used by professionals around the world – like Airline Pilots. You may have to give information to the outside world. These will often be as “SITREPS” (Situation Reports) or “STATUS REPORTS.” SITREP reports activities and plans during a task STATUS REPORT indicates state of readiness for SAR operations and state of availability USE OF MOBILE AND SATELLITE PHONES AND RADIOS With the use of VHF radios, facsimile machines, e-mail and mobile/satellite telephones the movement of information becomes faster and more accurate. However, no one system ensures that all participants within a communications network will receive the information. Formatted messages should be used and written down, where possible, before transmitting.
Formatted Messages THE SITREP (SITUATION REPORT) The following information should be included in SITREPS • To: • From: • Case description : (sitrep # 1 only) • Number of the Situation Report (i.e. first, second, eighth etc.) • Present Status - all case details that they do not have including weather conditions; • Action Taken - include all search patterns and results since departing / starting; • Future Action - include all items that will impact on future; include in this section any request for air support; • Signature & Date |
Excerpt: Communications |