BASIC PURPOSES OF COMMUNICATION q Developing strong relationships

BASIC PURPOSES OF COMMUNICATION q Developing strong relationships depend in large part on your skills as a communicator q The following presentation will introduce you to five BASIC purposes of communication

v. CARTHARSIS: An act of purging, cleansing, unloading: usually done best with people whom we have a bond relationship v. PHATIC COMMUNICATION: Communication of small talk to build binding relationships v. INFORMATION: Exchanging information: development of a knowledge base v. PERSUASION: Designed to reinforce traditional beliefs, change beliefs, or cause people to act v. ENTERTAINMENT: Designed to create enjoyment

Within the five basic purposes of communication, we find several different “styles of talk” q. Small Talk: ØMaintain status quo ØBreak the ice ØGetting acquainted ØEstablishing relationships üNote: Small Talk is a form of nonthreatening communication

q. Light Control Talk: ØPersuade ØDirect ØTo seek, not force agreement ØUse legitimate authority üNote: communication that relies on the discreet use of power to get results

q. Heavy control Talk: ØBlame (placing blame, controlling situation ØAttack (creates defensiveness on the part of the receiver) ØThreaten (rarely IF ever appropriate) ØCoerce (forcing certain behavior form the receiver ØDemand üNote: Communication designed to place blame and control the situation. This type of communication creates defensiveness on the part of the receiver and is rarely, if ever, appropriate

q. Search Talk: ØCenters on the issues ØConcentrates on others ØExamines ØClarifies üNote: Search talk involves a nonthreatening approach. It is good when we want data or the consensus of others

q. Straight Talk: ØConcentrates on the hear and now ØFocuses on issues ØShare feelings ØAcknowledging feelings ØAccepting – without judging üNote: Good for problem solving and conflict resolution

Suggestions for matching the style of talk to the situation q. Never “small talk” big issues q. Use control talk to take command q. Note: Heavy control talk rarely, if ever, works q. Search talk is appropriate when exploring situations