Effective Communication

• Verbal

• Non-verbal

  • Consider "intended" vs "perceived" meaning

  • Tone - quality of voice

  • Pitch - frequency of sound waves (high or low, related to emotional state)

  • Rhythm - pattern of speech, variation in tone & volume

  • Volume - loudness or softness of voice

  • Inflection - changes in pitch & tone

• Written (documentation, report writing, emails, proposals, grants)

• Presentations

• Online or virtual presence (social media, virtual meetings)

Communication Boundaries

• Be honest, transparent, & open

• Be clear about your expectations for communication

• HIPPA & Confidentiality

• holding a mirror to one's own social values in relation to their sociocultural position

  • How is an employee’s work affected by their income or status?

  • How does an employee’s sociocultural status affect adherence to timelines/deadlines?

  • Does an employee have access to a computer, internet, a car, food, time, other resources to be a competent, excellent therapist and do the job effectively?

  • What are your expectations as an employer?

  • What are the assumptions I make regarding employees’ at home?

  • Do all sociocultural status/positions feel comfortable at work, with me as their employer?

  • What assumptions do I make about employees that might affect my ability to develop a professional relationship?

  • How does my position as an OT manager affect my ability to effectively communicate with them?

• Confidential

• Ethical

• Respectful

• Trustworthy

• Knowledgeable

• Approachable

• Confident

• Establishes Rapport

• Interest in the speaker

• encourages the speaker to continue

• focus on the speaker's points, not on how you want to respond

• recognizes feelings, attitudes, and intent behind the words

• cannot multi-task if actively listening 

• listener does not interrupt, but instead asks for clarification on speaker's point

• take notes, if necessary

• establish boundaries for time & appropriateness

• effective & open communication only happens when people are willing to listen & learn from each other & share ideas

• what are the emotional factors that contribute to relationship & mode of communication?

• know what you want to achieve through this communication

• ask open-ended & focused questions

• ask for more details

• paraphrase

• check your perceptions of another person's feelings or experience

• describe behavior without making accusations or generalizations about motives, attitudes, or the person

• sometimes, less is more

Strategies with Employees

• Relationship & Team building

  • use methods that support sharing stories & emotional responses

• Expert/Authority Communication with Employees

  • establish common ground, shared vision, mutual trust & respect, and open dialogue that invites risk-taking

• Communicating with Diverse Individuals

  • use common/proper language, recognize differences & assess ways to best communicate considering employee's unique perspectives & values

• what are the emotional factors that contribute to relationship & mode of communication?