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Showing posts from August, 2025

UNDERSTANDING COMMUNICATION STYLES FOR CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND TEAM EFFECTIVENESS

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 UNDERSTANDING COMMUNICATION STYLES Have you ever wondered why some people rub you the wrong way and yet you can’t explain why? Perhaps they didn’t offend you directly, but something about the way they speak or act makes interactions awkward. The truth is: they’re not the problem, your communication styles simply differ . Every individual develops a unique style of communication, influenced by personality, upbringing, work roles, culture, and even profession. Understanding these styles is not just an academic exercise but also a practical necessity for effective communication, conflict resolution, teamwork, and leadership. For communication experts, especially in leadership, PR, media strategy, or community development roles, recognising and adapting to different communication styles is essential for building rapport , managing relationships , and navigating high-stakes environments . Every human being develops a particular style of communication based on personality, upbringing,...

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT C4D? - ENABLERS OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN C4D

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 HOW DO YOU ENSURE EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT? In Communication for Development (C4D), the success of any intervention hinges not just on the message, but on how, when, why and with whom it is developed and delivered.  Additionally, these four critical pillars -  baseline surveys , sensitization , advocacy , and social mobilisation have  served as the backbone for any meaningful engagement process. These are not just optional checklists; they are the strategic levers that determine the relevance, reach, and result of your communication. Baseline Surveys: Knowing Before Doing What they are: Baseline surveys are preliminary assessments used to understand the existing knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, and infrastructure of a target community before any intervention is launched. Why they matter in C4D: You cannot develop effective communication without understanding the community’s current reality. A baseline prevents guesswork, helps you map communication ch...

COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT - Why is communication so important?

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Communication is more than just speaking or writing: it’s about connecting meaningfully with others, especially in moments of tension or misunderstanding.  This is because conflict often arises not from what is said, but how it's said or how it is interpreted . This is why listening empathetically tuning in not only to words but also to feelings and intentions  is essential in managing conflict constructively. According to studies, team satisfaction is highest when conflict is resolved collaboratively (Liu, Magjuka, & Lee, 2008). In contrast, poor communication remains one of the most frequent causes of conflict (Johnson, 2004). The Power of Nonverbal Communication: Research by Albert Mehrabian highlights how much of our communication is non-verbal : 7% Verbal : The actual words used 38% Vocal : Tone, pitch, and modulation 55% Visual : Body language, gestures, facial expressions Implication: People remember how you made them feel , more than what you ac...

COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT - THE ROLE OF PERCEPTION

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   How is perception related to anything here? “We see things not as they are, but as we are.”   Perception is the lens through which we interpret life. Two people may experience the same event, yet walk away with completely different interpretations . That’s the power and danger of perception. But What Shapes Perception? Family upbringing Ethnic background Religion Education Past trauma or experiences Media exposure Personality and temperament These variables shape how we interpret tone, body language, and even silence. It explains why a casual remark may feel like an insult to one person but mean nothing to another. Case Example – The Lighthouse Analogy: A mighty battleship was patrolling the dark waters one foggy night, its radar picking up a faint signal of another vessel directly in its path. With duty and confidence, the captain ordered his signalman to send a message: "Unidentified vessel: You are on a collision course with us. Adjus...