Communication skills are of paramount importance for establishing rapport in a professional setting. According to France and Weikel (2014), these skills ensure the development of therapeutic relationships and a favorable environment. However, several pitfalls can potentially impede effective communication. In particular, these errors result from the violation of the principles of moderate authority, understanding of the client, natural manner of interaction, and focus on the productive change (France & Weikel, 2014). Thus, it is essential to understand these guidelines and avoid possible mistakes in the process of their implementation.
First of all, asserting a surplus authority can significantly impair the communication process. Indeed, it is necessary to “use the least amount of authority” for accomplishing an objective (France & Weikel, 2014, p. 164). Therefore, I would avoid the mistake of using too much authority by careful consideration of the amount and structure of my questions, eliminating the excessive and unnecessary ones. In such a manner, I would prevent exerting pressure on the client. I would not interrupt the client and would refrain from inappropriate advice, irrelevant to the discussed problem. I also would avoid assuming redundant responsibility for actions, which the client is capable of accomplishing.
Furthermore, it is essential to demonstrate an understanding of the client. Failure to follow this principle results in non-effective communication. For instance, “using vague words,” “amorphous feeling terms,” and such statements as “Tell me more” without due consideration what the interlocutor has already told reflects the lack of understating (France & Weikel, 2014, p. 165). I believe that this error may primarily reflect a worker’s self-obsession and unwillingness to listen to others. If I were in such a situation, I would have an impression that a worker is more interested in my problem, rather than in myself. Thus, this error ignores the client’s role as an active agent of interaction.
Moreover, the natural manner of speech is vital. By contrast, using recurrent expressions and repeating the client’s phrases renders one’s communication “artificial and programmed” (France & Weikel, 2014, p. 165). In my opinion, such an error can render communication an unpleasant and unfavorable experience for the client, rather than a therapeutic milieu. By contrast, direct and natural manner of communication creates a basis for trust-based and respectful relationships. I believe that avoiding this pitfall is essential to demonstrate one’s sincere interest in the interlocutor.
The focus on encouraging productive change is another crucial prerequisite for effective communication. In other words, it is necessary to promote problem-solving. In contrast, using such phrases as “makes you, made you, must be” and the like automatically limits the clients’ possibilities to alter their reactions to the environment (France & Weikel, 2014, p. 143). The same pertains to using strong words, such as specialized clinical terms, without considering their potential impact (France & Weikel, 2014). For instance, I would avoid using such words as “hopeless” or “helpless” because they “may suggest that nothing can be done” (France & Weikel, 2014, p. 143). Indeed, inappropriate lexical content can program clients to act and feel in a specific way and can reduce productive change to nothing.
Thus, effective communication is a prerequisite for fine-tuning a mutually beneficial professional setting. To achieve a therapeutic relationship in a professional environment, one must follow several communicative guidelines. At the same time, errors in implementing these guidelines are highly detrimental. Hence, applying excessive authority, lack of understanding of the client, unnatural manner of interaction, and failure to focus on productive change can significantly impede the communication process. In my opinion, two fundamental principles can help to overcome these errors. First of all, it is essential to respect one’s interlocutors, appreciate their internal and external environment, as well as the possibilities to express themselves. No less important is a sincere will to understand another person, not merely to listen to clients, but actually to hear them. I believe that keeping these two virtues in mind will help to eliminate these potential pitfalls from one’s professional practice.
References
France, K. & Weikel, K. (2014). Helping skills for human service workers: Building relationships and encouraging productive change (3rd ed.). Charles C. Thomas Publisher.