Sender/Receiver
Kate
MikeGoal
This activity focuses on enhancing communication skills by emphasizing the sender-receiver dynamics and the importance of clear messaging. Participants will engage in a structured conversation exercise in pairs to practice effective communication.
Materials
Instructions
Begin by explaining the purpose of the activity, which is to improve communication skills, active listening, and understand the impact of clear messaging. Explain that there is a difference between listening to understand, versus listening to respond. We’ll be practicing listening to understand in this activity.
Divide the participants into pairs, whether they are in a physical workshop space, attending virtually, or in a hybrid setting.
Ensure each pair has a relatively quiet space to talk (break out rooms can be used in a virtual environment if prepared in advance).
Share the communication model with the participants, emphasizing the four main points:
Sender (sends the message by answering the question prompt chosen)
Receiver (listens, processes, and paraphrases the sender’s messages, in their own words, or asks for clarification)
Sender (clarifies their message if needed, adds to their original message)
Receiver (confirms their understanding of the clarifications and additions).
See Appendix A for a visual
Instruct the pairs to take turns asking each other three of the provided questions. Emphasize that the sender is the person who is answering the question that is chosen, and the receiver is the person listening to the response and ensuring they understand.
Allow each person in the pair to ask their three questions, ensuring they practice clear communication.
Set a timer for ten minutes to give participants time to engage in the conversation exercise.
After the allotted time, regroup all participants for a reflective discussion.
Background
Preparation
Prepare the list of questions and have them ready for distribution.
Ensure breakout rooms are set up if the activity is conducted virtually.
Test any technology and audio-visual equipment if the workshop is delivered in a hybrid format.
Technology Considerations
For virtual deliveries, ensure that participants have access to the required platform and can join breakout rooms.
Test audio and video functionality if necessary.
Additional Context
Highlight the significance of clear communication in various contexts, including personal and professional life, and that effective communication is both the responsibility of the sender and the receiver. Emphasize how miscommunication can occur and its consequences.
Tips for Localization
Encourage participants to consider cultural and linguistic differences that may affect communication styles.
Adapt the questions to be relevant to the participants' backgrounds or experiences, and/or provide them with the opportunity to discuss something personal or local (i.e. their thoughts on a local current event).
Debrief Questions
How did practicing clear communication impact the exchange of information during this exercise?
What strategies or techniques did you use to ensure your messages were understood and accurately received?
Did you ever find your mind wandering or not focused on what the other person was saying? Why do you think that sometimes happens?
Did any pairs experience miscommunication? What happened? Were you able to fix that miscommunication?
Did you notice any patterns in how people clarified messages or sought confirmation? How did this affect the quality of communication in the pairs?
Can you think of any real-life scenarios where this type of communication would be important?
Examples: This type of communication could be great if you had a business where you needed to understand what the client/customer wants from you (for example, a consulting business, or a product design business).
Comments (0)