Veterinarian in Society

Introduction

WHY AND HOW TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE ?

• Communication appears to be a natural, inborn, unchangeable behaviour. We seldom try to improve our skills however inadequate they may be. But communication is learned.
• It is important that we communicate effectively in all walks of life. Communication is effective when it achieves its goal; it is appropriate when it conforms to what is expected in a situation. We create the perception that we are competent communicators through verbal messages and non-verbal behavior that accompany them.
• Communication in its simplest form consists of the transmission of information, ideas and attitudes from one person to another. A communicator sends message through a channel to an audience, seeking some effect.
• Communication thus involves two aspects - a broad comprehension of the mechanical means and the underlying theories of communication and more importantly an understanding of how we use these tools in our daily round of informing, influencing, inspiring, convincing, frightening and entertaining one another.
• Each of us communicate with another person by directing a message to one or more of the person's senses - sight, sound, touch, taste or smell. This is known as interpersonal communication in contrast with intra-personal communication in which one talks to oneself.
• When we smile, we communicate a desire for friendliness, the tone in which we say "good morning" can indicate feelings from surliness to warm pleasure and the words we choose in speaking or writing convey a message we want to "put across" to the other person. The more effectively we select and deliver these words the better our communication.
• The goal of this lecture will be to make the veterinarians understand and learn skills that will increase the likelihood that others will view them as competent. These factors depend on once motivation level, knowledge and skill. As motivation increases competence increase. People are likely to be more motivated if they are confident and if they see potential rewards.
• The knowledge level of an individual enhances his / her competence. We gain knowledge about how to interact by observing what others do, by asking others how we should behave, by engaging in formal study and by learning through trial and error.
• As communicators' skill increases, communicator competence also increases. Skills are goal - oriented actions or action sequences that we can master and repeat in appropriate situation. The more skills one possess, the more likely they are able to structure their messages to be effective and appropriate.
• Based on our competence to communicate, not only do we judge our own competence but our competence is also judged by others.