Birth professionals recognize that communication skills can make or break their success, yet they can be difficult to learn without an opportunity to practice in a supportive atmosphere. This session focuses on understanding people’s needs and interests more deeply, enhancing communication between caregiver and client, and utilizing advocacy skills. Multiple strategies are covered that are rooted in communication and negotiation studies, brain based learning research, and the nitty-gritty situations birth professionals face. Attendees are expected to interact and participate with others to gain confidence in using these new tools. The first two hours focus on listening skills (I never tell you what to say, either). The third hour focuses on internal changes you can make to become a more effective communicator. The fourth hour adds negotiation and crisis management skills. (Confession – I LOVE teaching this workshop – my Bachelor’s degree is in interpersonal communication and I’ve taught some of these exercises in my college courses!)
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, the learner will be able to:
- Explain the role of human beings in assigning meanings to other people’s behaviors.
- Create non-verbal behaviors that broadcast the attitude the speaker wishes to convey.
- Explain the difference between “autobiographical listening” and “true listening”.
- Discern with greater accuracy the facial expressions of other people.
- Illustrate the difficulties inherent in effective communication.
- List three statements to use when collaborating with hospital staff.
- List three ways to build affiliation with medical staff or parents.