This session we will look at the power of communication, the importance of relationships and how to build them personally, professionally and romantically. We will also delve into Assertion and Criticism.

1. Academy of Purpose
Week 7 - Communication, Relationships & Criticism

2. Today’s outcomes
This session we will look at the power of communication, the importance of
relationships and how to build them personally, professionally and romantically.
We will also delve into Assertion and Criticism.

3. Outline of the day
1. Presentations
2. Interpersonal Communication - verbal/non-verbal
3. Personal Presentation
4. Why we need relationships
5. Building & Ingredients to good relationships
6. Trust, Rapport & Romantic Relationships
7. Assertion & Criticism

4. the STOP exercise

5. Presentation
How did that feel?
What did you learn about yourself?
What can you use going forward?
Any tips?

6. Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal Skills are the skills we use when engaged in face-to-face
communication with one or more other people. Being able to communicate
effectively is the most important of all life skills.
Communication Skills
What we say is an important way of getting our message across,
but using our voice is only the tip of the iceberg. We actually
communicate more information using non-verbal signals,
gestures, facial expression, body language even our
appearance.

7. The single biggest problem
in communication is the
illusion that it has taken
place.
George Bernard Shaw

8. Verbal Communication
Your voice can reveal as much about your personal history, as your appearance.
Emotional state / Geographic roots / Self-esteem / Truth
Finding your voice
● Try recording your own voice in an informal setting, like at home.
● Listen carefully to how you sound in order to become accustomed to it.
● Note any aspects of your speech which reduce the overall
effectiveness of your message.

9. What colour is the dress?

10. Non-Verbal Communicaton (NVC)
Facial expressions, the tone and pitch of the voice, gestures
displayed through body language (kinesics), etc. Non-verbal
signals can give clues and additional information and
meaning over and above spoken (verbal) communication.
● Body Movements (Kinesics)
● Posture
● Eye Contact
● Para-language
● Closeness or Personal Space (Proxemics)
● Facial Expressions

11. Will you let this guy perform surgery on you?

12. Personal Presentation
Personal presentation is all about marketing YOU,
the brand that is you. What others see you do and
hear you say will influence their opinion of you.
● Self-esteem is not a static thing;
● Confidence.
● Effective Speaking.
● Personal Appearance.
● Facial Expressions.
● Body Language.
● Time Management.

13. ‘People will forget what
you said, people will forget
what you did, but people
will never forget how you
made them FEEL’
Maya Angelou

14. Why we need Relationships
Relationships are important for:
● Increase our emotional wellbeing
● Provide a sense of stability.
● Ability to vent when you are going through something
● Take away loneliness and make us feel included.
Relationships can be the glue that holds us together during times of stressful
situations and when we face life difficulties.

15. Building great work relationships
How to build good work relationships
1. Develop your people skills.
2. Identify your relationship needs.
3. Schedule time to build relationships.
4. Focus on your EI.
5. Appreciate others.
6. Be positive.
7. Manage your boundaries.
8. Avoid gossiping.

16. Who has been in an argument with someone recently?

17. Ingredients to healthy relationships
1. Honesty - sharing thoughts or feelings and being clear with our words or
emotions can reduce misunderstanding.
2. Compatibility - having/finding similar interest that you can talk about and learn
from each other.
3. Compromise - when you think and act in favour of the wellbeing of a
relationship, you may compromise rather then get your own way.
4. Understanding - it is really important that you are understanding and accepting
of your differences. Try to avoid judgements and get to know them.
5. Communication - you need to commit to communicating well and approach
disagreements as an opportunity to build the relationship.

18. Building trust
1. Understanding the individual – what is
important them?
2. Attending to the little things – like a birthday/name.
3. Keeping commitments – regularly break them, they
won’t believe the next promise
4. Clarify expectations – unclear expectations in the area of goals undermine
communication and trust.
5. Show personal integrity – be genuine and loyal to those not present.
6. Apologise sincerely when you make a mistake

19. Building Rapport
Rapport is a state of harmonious understanding with
another individual or group that enables greater and easier communication.
● Lean forward
● Eye-contact
● Make gesturing
● Smile
● Their name
● Open questions
● Feedback to summarise
● Talk about what they said
● Say why you agree
● Build on what they say
● Non-judgemental
● Admit mistakes or not
knowing
● Be genuine
● Offer a compliment
● Avoid criticism
● Be polite

20. Romantic relationships - Rado’s
Recommendations
1. Find out priorities of your partner. Do they match with yours?
2. Communication is the key to functioning relationships. Listen.
Listen. Listen.
3. Make sure that your life in the relationship is overall easier and
happier than before.
4. Except your partner the way they are - do not try to change them
unless they want.
5. The only person who you are able to change is you. Is there
something about you what you know does not serve the
relationship?

21. Romantic relationships - Rado’s
Recommendations
6. Sex is not everything.
7. Healthy long-term relationships require more than just love.
8. When you don’t like something, say it and explain what exactly you
don’t like. Try to understand their point of you.
9. How to solve an issue - try to put yourself in their shoes and
consider their background and situation they are in. Would you do it
differently if you were them?
10. Explain your feelings and expectations. It might take time to
perfectly understand each other, but with time you will build trust and
understand their habits and personality.
11. It takes two people to participate.

22. What is assertion?
Expressing your needs, wants, opinions, feelings and beliefs in a direct honest and
appropriate way whilst respecting other people.
● Having confidence in yourself and being positive, whilst at the same time understanding
other people’s point of view
● Being able to negotiate and reach workable agreements
● Having self-respect and respect for other people
3 Steps to being assertive
1. Seek first to understand – actively listen and show you understand
2. Seek to be understood – Say what you think or feel
3. Say what you want to happen

23. Dealing with criticism positively
How do you react when you are criticised?
When challenged by another person, it is
common to react in a negative manner.
How does a negative reaction make you look?
How does it make you feel.

24. What did we/you learn today?
What did we cover today?
Write down 3 things you learned today that you can take forward?

25. Moment of Mindfulness

26. Love to hear what you thought so far
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27. bit.ly/AOPclass7