7-11 July 2019
EV72 - CEL 2: What Keeps Us from Being Effective Radiation Risk Communicators? (JohnsonOrange VI 07:15 - 08:15 |
| The simple answer to the title question is that we are creatures of habit. As we evolve from infancy and acquire skills such as how to eat, how to put on our clothes, and how to walk, such skills become automatic habits controlled by our subconscious minds and we no longer think about how we learned those skills. How could we function today if all of these natural habits had to be rethought or relearned every day? Actually most of lives are governed by automatic habits that we no longer think about. As infants we begin to develop ways of communicating that most easily meet our needs for survival. As adults, after decades of experience building our communication habits, we do not think about the process of communication any longer. Most of the time our automatic communication processes allow us to interact with others as successful and responsible adults. However, from time to time, we may find that our normal communications style is no longer effective. For example, are we typically well prepared to deal with difficult people that are emotional, fearful, angry, upset, antagonistic, or distrustful? In these situations we may find that our normal communication approaches do not work. While psychologists and neuroscientists know many strategies for dealing with difficult people, for any of us to use those strategies means that we have to change our communication habits. Now here is the challenge. How hard is it to change any habit? Have any of you had success trying to lose weight? How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions this year? To communicate in more effective ways we must do more than simply learn about new communication strategies. To become proficient with these strategies we will have to practice, practice, and practice. This means making a decision to spend the time and energy for practicing new skills. This may not be easy in our typically busy lives where we already feel over committed. For best results we will not only need significant practice, but also frequent coaching or supervision to help us keep on tract. Feedback from ongoing supervision can help us refine our new communication skills. Ideally we will have the opportunity to meet weekly or biweekly with others to share our ongoing practice who will provide positive feedback and encouragement. |
