Module 1
First Impressions Count!
Have you ever heard the saying “You never get a second chance to make a first impression?” Similar to Calvin in this cartoon, many of us are not self-aware of the impression we make on others.
Being more self aware and reflective on our own first impressions and communication skills will enable us to further develop awareness of our own strengths and skills, as well as being able to better work with others in order to solve problems.
Consider the following
It takes 30 seconds to make a first impression
It takes approximately 20 more meetings to change or undo a bad first impression
55% of our message is through our body language
38% of our message is through our tone
7% of our message is though our words
Assignment - Part 1
Why Communication Matters...
Communication skills are important to everyone - they are how we give and receive information and convey our ideas and opinions with those around us.
Communication can make or break your first impression!
Communication comes in many forms:
verbal (sounds, language, and tone of voice)
aural (listening and hearing)
non-verbal (facial expressions, body language, and posture)
written (journals, emails, blogs, and text messages)
visual (signs, symbols, and pictures)
The importance of practice...
It is important to develop a variety of skills for both communicating TO others and learning how to interpret the information received FROM others. Knowing our audience and understanding how they need to receive information is equally important as knowing ourselves.
A large percentage of youth preparing to enter the workforce are significantly lacking in the "soft" skills such as teamwork, decision making, communication, initiative, interpersonal skills, and work ethic.
Both in our professional and our personal lives, it is extremely important to be specific when offering and receiving communication.
By practicing our communication skills now (although it may feel awkward and strange at the time), we will be better able to communicate our strengths and assets in the future!
Both in our professional and our personal lives, it is extremely important to be specific when offering and receiving communication. Often times our meaning gets lost, twisted or misunderstood because we haven't been specific enough in our communication or we haven't asked enough questions about the problem.
Assignment - Part 2
In the following assignment, you will read one of the two scenarios of people using their communication skills at work. Each scenario is comprised of one employee and one supervisor. When reading each scenario, you should think about what each person did correctly, and perhaps what they could have done differently.
If your last name falls between A-L, read scenario #1;
If your last name falls between M-Z, read scenario #2.
SUBMIT
Submit your completed assignment in your Flex block Google Classroom.
Due: Monday,November 27