Fundamentals of Effective Communication

This book discusses the theory and applications of the communication process and provides practical examples for the use of professionals to improve their communication.

This book shows how good listening habits can only be developed through self-training. The book lists (and explains with illustrations) seven barriers to listening, seven bad listening habits, and three secrets to Active Listening. These descriptions provide a practical framework to analyse our shortcomings and identify the areas where there is room for improvement.

Since each individual’s perception is unique, we might encounter communication difficulties when two individuals attribute different meanings to the same utterance, event, or transaction. This book provides practical examples of Perceptual Errors and provides concrete advice to eliminate perceptual blocks in everyday communication.

Our communication is immensely affected by our self-concept. This book discuses The Johari Window model and provides a way of looking at our self-concept in a systematic manner. The model also provides us guidelines for optimal self-disclosure in communication. In the latter part, the book illustrates the concept of 'Life Positions' which is based on Transactional Analysis.

This book provides comprehensive discussion and examples of the model of Transactional Analysis. If we view every unit of social interaction is called a transaction, this model should help us troubleshoot a communication breakdown, and improve overall communication effectiveness.

To improve our group communication, we need to first understand how the groups function.The book discusses choice of network, member roles and decision making methods. Case studies have been provided for group discussion and analysis.

This book discusses how smooth conversations normally follow five stages in a pre-determined sequence.It then discusses, with examples, some guiding principles in conversations. Finally, discussion focuses on 'unproductive'conversations. In an attempt to understand how unproductive conversations are created, the book elabaorates on some factors leading to unproductive conversations

The book discusses two kinds of speech organization: Informative and Persuasive. While six organizational patterns have been described with examples for informative speech, Monroe’s Motivated Sequence has been illustrated for a persuasive speech. The book also provides examples of speech outlines, tips on managing anxiety, and on using body language.