http://cnx.org/content http://cnx.org/content/col10415/1.2 col10415 Communication Skills for Personal and Professional Development: The Seven Challenges Approach 1.2 2007/05/01 14:31:49.032 GMT-5 2007/05/02 05:46:56.177 GMT-5 Dennis Rivers Dennis Rivers dennisrivers@newconversations.net dennisrivers dennisrivers dennisrivers communication conflict development interpersonal management negotiation parenting personal professional resolution skills Social Sciences The Seven Challenges course workbook introduces students to some of the most important processes in interpersonal communication, supported by readings, references and exercises. This is definitely a learn-how-to-do-it course, with the supporting materials arranged to facilitate behavior change and skill acquisition. Processes covered include listening, negotiating the shape of conversations (metacommunication), self-expression, translating complaints into requests, asking questions more open-endedly and creatively, expressing appreciation, and adopting the attitude and practice of continuous learning (embracing each conversation as an opportunity to further develop one's communication skills). en http://www.newconversations.net/workbook/ Cooperative Communication Skills Extended Learning Community Dennis Rivers, MA Overview: The terrain of communication skills. Introduction to the seven challenges of interpersonal communication Challenge One: listening more carefully and more responsively Listening: The heart of interpersonal communication at home and at work Challenge Two: Explaining your conversational intent and invite consent Conversations intentions: Negotiating to have the conversations you want Challenge Three: Expressing yourself more clearly and completely with the "five I-messages" Expressing yourself more clearly with 5 "I-Messages" Challenge Four: Translating criticisms and complaints into requests and explaining envisioned positive outcomes Conflict Management: Translating criticisms and complaints into requests Challenge Five: Asking questions more ”open-endedly” and more creatively The power of creative questioning Challenge Six: Thanking… Exploring and expressing more appreciation, gratitude, encouragement and delight Creating stronger families and stronger work teams by expressing more appreciation Challenge Seven: Adopting the continuous learning perspective The "continuous learning" attitude: embracing your life as your moment-to-moment communication skills classroom.