Intro to Communication Skills (Construction)

What is Active Listening?

A process that involves respecting others, listening to what is being said, and understanding what is being said.

What is an Appendix?

A source of detailed or specific information placed at the end of a section, a chapter, or a book.

Define Body Language.

A person’s facial expression, physical posture, gestures, and use of space, which communicate feelings and ideas.

What are Bullets in a list?

Large, vertically aligned dots that highlight items in a list.

What does Change Order refer to?

A written order by the owner of a project for the contractor to make a change in time, amount, or specifications.

What is an Electronic Signature?

A signature that is used to sign electronic documents by capturing handwritten signatures through computer technology and attaching them to the document or file.

What is a Font?

The type style used for letters and numbers.

What is a Glossary?

An alphabetical list of terms and definitions.

What is a Graph?

Information shown as a picture or chart, represented in various forms, including line graphs and bar charts.

What is an Index?

An alphabetical list of topics, along with the page numbers where each topic appears.

What does Italics refer to in text?

Letters and numbers that lean to the right rather than stand straight up.

Define Jargon.

Specialized terms used in a specific industry.

What is a Memo?

Informal written correspondence, another term for memorandum.

What is Nonverbal Communication?

All communication that does not use words, including tone of voice, appearance, personal environment, use of time, and body language.

What does it mean to Paraphrase?

Express something heard or read using different words.

What is a Permit?

A legal document that allows a task to be undertaken.

What is a Punch List?

A written list that identifies deficiencies requiring correction at completion.

Define Table in the context of data presentation.

A way to present important text and numbers so they can be read and understood at a glance.

What is a Table of Contents?

A list of book chapters or sections, usually located at the front of the book.

What is one consequence of poor listening skills on a construction site?

A worker may miss safety instructions, which could lead to accidents.

Why is speaking clearly important in training coworkers?

Mumbling or using unfamiliar words can lead to wrong task execution and increased work time.

What happens if a worker fails to read safety instructions carefully?

They may damage equipment or compromise safety protocols.

What effect does poor writing have in communication?

It can lead to incorrect supply orders and project delays.

What is communication noise?

Any interference that distorts or prevents effective communication.

What are some examples of communication noise?

Using jargon the receiver does not understand, unclear speaking, disorganized written messages, and actual noise from the construction site.