Different Reasons Why People Communicate

Different reasons why people communicate



Making relationships   - People communicate to make new relationships. These relationships may be with service users, visitors or colleagues. Positive verbal and non-verbal communication skills, such as being friendly, smiling and shaking hands when greeting the person, are needed to make a good first impression in a relationship.

Developing relationships - By developing relationships with service users, their relatives or carers and colleagues, by maintaining a friendly, supportive approach, and by being interested in what other people are doing and feeling. This enables service users to feel comfortable and secure, and that they can trust and rely on staff.

Obtaining and Sharing of Information – As a Team Leader I   need to obtain and share information about service users with colleagues and other professionals to ensure the team is fully informed. I often need to communicate with a service user or a family member about the care and support they receive, or about the kinds of services and facilities that are available in a care setting.

Expressing thoughts and ideas – As carers we need to share our thoughts about care issues or about aspects of practice with colleagues. Effective communication skills are also needed to encourage service users to talk about what they are feeling, to say what they think or to express their needs, wishes or preferences.

Giving and receiving support - Users of health and social care services and their relatives often seek reassurance from the Team Leader and care staff as a way of developing their self-confidence. In response, we use praise and touch, and give time and attention as a way of rewarding a person’s efforts and achievements and to reassure them. Within our workplace we also use staff meetings and appraisals as ways of providing staff with support and reassurance about their work performance.

Expressing feelings, wishes, needs and preferences – Team Leaders and...