1. COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
FOR A HEALTHY WORKPLACE
T R I S T A N M C C A L L U M &
M E A G H A N O ‟ B R I E N ;
C A R E E R
S E R V I C E S , U N I V E R S I T Y
O F C A L G A R Y
1

2. C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
W O R K P L A C E 2

3. C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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4. JUST A FEW ASSESSMENT TOOLS…
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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5. COMMUNICATION STYLES IN THE WORKPLACE
Image sourced from: www.andysowards.com

6. DIRECT & FIRM
Direct
Authoritative
Competitive
Does not like to spend time
communicating
Achieve immediate results
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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1
• Don‟t take bluntness
personal
• Team work
• Skip small talk
• Confidence

7. OPTIMISTIC & ENERGETIC
Enthusiastic
Impulsive
Optimistic
Talkative
Thrives on social recognition
and approval
Collaboration
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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2
• Show them that you
value a relationship with
them
• Encourage their ideas
• Address conflict directly
• Share that disagreement
doesn‟t mean a failed
relationship

8. COLLABORATIVE & CARING
Patient
Cognizant of others emotions
Good listener
Team work
Difficulty in coming to a
decision
Prefers stable conversations
Avoids change
Agreeable
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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3
• Express sincerity and
appreciation for their input
• Collaborate
• Encourage them to speak
up and share their opinions
• Approach conflict calmly
though direct

9. LOGISTICAL AND ANALYTIC
Technical
Values accuracy & logic
Prefers stable conversation
Values quality and not quantity
Reserved
Works best alone
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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4
• Ensure any conflict is
backed up by fact
• Allow them opportunity to
state their thoughts
• Ensure timelines are set
when discussing projects
or identifying when a
solution is to be determined
• Avoid any questions too
personal

10. TONE & NON-VERBAL CUES
Video sourced from: Ameriqu
(YouTube)

11. COMMUNICATION
TOOLBOX
 Understanding that communicating is a
constant act of growth
 Understanding that we are always students
Communicate with others in the fashion in which
they wish to be treated and communicated with
 Being an active listener! Ask questions!
 Accepting different communication styles
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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12. FIERCE
CONVERSATIONS
.
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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13. C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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Image sourced from:
www.wordle.net

14. C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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Image sourced from:
www.wordle.net

15. Beating around
the bush
Playing the blame
game
Assumption
Misconsumption
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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1
2
3

16. Transparency
Immediacy over
convenience
Be clear and concise
Think before you speak
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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1
BEATING AROUND THE BUSH

17. PLAYING THE BLAME GAME
Proactive mentality
Talk it out
Ask questions
Change the way you react
Address the issue
„US‟ instead of „YOU‟ „WE‟ instead of „I‟
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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2

18. ASSUMPTION MISCONSUMPTION
Ask questions & avoid assumptions
Best practices are operational frameworks
Transparency
Being solution focused rather
than problem focused
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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3

19. Increase your
understanding of the
situation before reacting
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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Take a deep breath and…
1
Maintain dignity and
respect of parties
involved
2
Develop and maintain an
awareness of your
reactions, feelings and
impact on the conflict
3
Be prepared to take the
first and subsequent
steps toward resolution.
4
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS…

20. RETENTION &
COMMUNICATION
Video sourced from: AirTran Airways Advertisement
(YouTube)

21. Quality of Relationship
with Manager/Supervisor
Ability to balance work
and home life
Amount of meaningful
work/feeling of making a
difference
Level of cooperation with
co-workers
Level of trust in the
workplace
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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WHY DO PEOPLE LEAVE ORGANIZATIONS?
1
Survey conducted by University of
Calgary
1
2
5
4
3
2013 University of Calgary Engagement
Survey – Increased Belief/Confidence
in:
Leadership: +15% since 2011
Authority and Empowerment: 71%
favourable
Direction: +8% since 2011
“I have the opportunity to do
challenging and interesting work.”
70%
“I feel proud to work at the
University”: 76%
“I feel proud to work in my unit”:
72%

22. UNSUSTAINABLE WORKPLACE TRAITS
 Blurred roles
 Lack of respect
 Lack of accountability
 Pushing personal
agendas
 Lack of direction
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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 Incorporate team
into changes
 Start with heart
 Team Covenant
 Being team focused
 Manage with
movement

23.  Be proactive
 Leader to instill clear
communication
 Develop a “Team Covenant”
 Set a personal thank you
quota
 Ask quality questions
 Learn how people like to be
recognized
 Know how to work with
different communication styles
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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COMMUNICATION TOOLBOX

24. THANKS – QUESTIONS?
M E A G H A N O ‟ B R I E N T R I S T A N M C C A L L U M
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
W O R K P L A C E 24
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on Linkedin!
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Linkedin!

25. REFERENCES
Difficult Conversations By Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton & Sheila Heen
Everyone Communications Few Connect By John C. Maxwell
Improving Communication at Work-University of Calgary Business Seminar
Fierce Conversations By Susan Scott
Creative Conflict Resolution: Making the Most of Differences-University of Calgary Business Seminar
Interview with Colleen Bangs-Director, Career Services at the University of Calgary
Interview with Kathryn Keresztesi-Human Resources Partner at the University of Calgary
Interview with Martina Payette-Life & Career Coach at The Trentham Foundation
Failure to Communicate: How Conversations go Wrong and what you can do to right them by Holly Weeks
Aesop‟s Fable: A Table of Teamwork by Lauren Fleischhauer
3 Tips to Lead Effective Meetings by Christine Krenek
5 Reasons Why Your Team May Be Failing by Lauren Fleischhauer
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G I E S F O R A H E A L T H Y
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