T is a vocational rehabilitation counselor. He works with clients that have a mental health diagnosis. They are in training and client support with him to get back to the work force. T demonstrates competent communication abilities when he trains and has one on one communications with his clients. I took a parent to a meeting with T and I was very impressed by his kindness, empathy and devotion to assisting his clients.
T demonstrates the three primary functions of communication with
his client’s affiliation, goal achievement and control. When we went in he expressed
affiliation. He was warm and inviting. He got up and greeted us at the door
with a hand shake. He used small talk to converse and asked the client how things
had been going since he last saw her and her husband? As we were talking
another client came to the door and he got up and greeted her. She told him she
had just gotten a job and he told her that was great. She asked him if she
could give him a hug and he said sure.
Back to my client, he explained the program and asked the
client what were her goals. He then explained the goals of the program, how he
trained on certain aspects of how to complete a resume, job application and
practice interviews. The training was a 90 day program and then he assisted
them in job search or further training. It was specifically their program and
up to them on how to complete their goals to get back into the work force.
The final function of communication T demonstrated was the
ability to influence the client or control. T had demonstrated that he was
warm, inviting and helpful. He helped the client lay out goals of achievement. The
control or influence was shown when T explained to the client the rules of the
program and that the clients had certain rules and expectations they had to
follow. The control was able to shift to the clients because they could develop
their plan and be in control of their choices as long as they complete their
goals in a certain time.
I found that T demonstrated compete communication skills
with his clients. He took the time to show them guidance and listened to their
concerns. He made good eye contact and made me feel welcome as I assume he did
the client. He would repeat her questions or answers to assure he understood
what was said and he asked her to repeat certain things to assure she
understood. I would follow his communication example because there could be a mutual respect and understanding between two parties because of the clarity throughout the conversation.
Reference
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An
introduction. New York:
Bedford/St. Martin's.
Diana,
ReplyDeleteIt seems like T is no amateur to great communication skills. I like how he is able to make those with whom he comes in contact very welcome. He seems to have a very calm and warming personality that I think many would appreciate. I think a person's demeanor really sets the stage for how the communication and interaction will result. The fact that he really makes the information clear and gets clarity from them is also great. If I were talking to someone, I would like this style. I would also want to feel like I have some control and that the other person isn't trying to control the conversation and be aggressive. You chose a great person to model your communication behavior after.
~Cherri
Diana,
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome example of great communication skills. No matter who we are communicating with the way we communicate is very important. People react to how we communicate with them.
Diana,
ReplyDeleteGreat example of communication skills. I believe it so crucial that we as professionals understand how to communicate. It makes a world of difference with how we connect with people.