Community Development Framework – We grow strong …



Communication Styles Role Play Exercise - 15 MinOBJECTIVE: Have fun reflecting on our own communication styles, and consider which can be most effective in bringing our issues forward.HOW:Role Play ( 3 min)Prior to the workshop, select a neighbourhood problem the group can relate to (Ex. Garbage clean up) and practice a short role-play (2 – 3 min) to demonstrate three communication styles. The players might be the two facilitators and a participant. The aggressive and passive people play the role to an extreme, so that it is so obvious that it is funny. Their behaviour starts to change when the proactive person demonstrates a more constructive approach:AGGRESSIVE: (wears a very large yellow star) Walks into the scene very confident of his/her ideas, imposing them on everyone else.PASSIVE: (wears a very small yellow star) When expressing his/her ideas can hardly be heard, and allows the aggressive player to dominate.PROACTIVE: (wears a large yellow star) Steps into the scene after the other two have already demonstrated their styles. He/She listens to the others, clarifies what they are saying, takes a few moments to consider what she/he is hearing and suggests some positive action for them to consider. (See Proactive in Styles of communication handout.)Large group reflection (8 min)Ask: “What happened? What were the different ways of addressing the situation?”Note: Keep the conversation focused on the communication style, not the issue.Point out that some of us shine our stars so brightly that we don’t even notice the other stars shining around us. While others among us hesitate to let our star shine. Ask what the third person did that was different.Distribute and review the Communication Styles handout, inviting people to consider which is their style. Point out that when we are proactive we are more likely to be able to take positive action munication StylesWhich is your style? Which style do you wish to have?PASSIVEDo not recognize your rights and therefore do not protect themWait for someone to recognize what you need (you might wait forever!)Do not believe that you deserve to be treated with respect and dignity at all timesApologize for "everything"Feel responsible for how people react to your (occasional) assertive statements (e.g. anger, resentment)AGGRESSIVEBelieve that your?rights, thoughts, feelings, needs and desires are more important than anyone else'sGet your needs met while sacrificing others' needs in the processAllow yourself to be angry, without regard for the consequencesSay what's on your mind, without regard for the other person's feelingsPROACTIVE (ASSERTIVE)Respond, rather than reactTake a few moments to check your own emotions (i.e. deep breath, go for a walk)Listen for different perspectivesClarify other people’s needs, hopes, fears, concernsRecognize everyone’s strengths, including your ownPromote a positive, supportive environmentAsk open-ended questions (i.e. “what do you think we should do?”)Invite different ideas on how to reach a goalArrive at an action plan togetherHelp each other to perform the tasks ................
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