Intro to Communication Skills (Construction)
TRADE TERMS:
Active listening: A process that involves respecting others, listening to what is being said, and understanding what is being said
Appendix: A source of detailed or specific information placed at the end of a section, a chapter, or a book.
Body Language: A person’s facial expression, physical posture, gestures, and use of space, which communicate feelings and ideas.
Bullets: Large, vertically aligned dots that highlight items in a list.
Change order: A written order by the owner of a project for the contractor to make a change in time, amount, or specifications.
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.
Font: The type style used for letters and numbers.
Glossary: An alphabetical list of terms and definitions.
Graph: information shown as a picture or chart. Graphs may be represented in various forms, including line graphs and bar charts.
Index: An alphabetical list of topics, along with the page numbers where each topic appears.
Italics: Letters and numbers that lean to the right rather than stand straight up.
Jargon: Specialized terms used in a specific industry.
Memo: Informal written correspondence. Another term for memorandum (Plural: Memoranda).
Nonverbal Communication: All communication that does not use words. This includes tone of voice, appearance, personal environment, use of time, and body language.
Paraphrase: Express something heard or read using different words.
Permit: a legal document that allows a task to be undertaken.
Punch list: A written list that identifies deficiencies requiring correction at completion.
Table: A way to present important text and numbers so they can be read and understood at a glance.
Table of contents: A list of book chapters or sections, usually located at the front of the book.
The following are some examples of why communication skills are so important in the construction industry:
- listening: Your supervisor tells you where to set up safety barriers, but because you do not listen carefully, you miss a spot. As a result, your coworker falls and is injured.
-speaking: You must train coworkers to do a new task, but you mumble, using words that they do not understand, And do not answer their questions clearly. Your coworkers do the task incorrectly, and all of you must work overtime to fix the mistakes.
-reading: The supervisor tells you to read the manufacturer’s basic operating And safety instructions for the new drill press before you use it. You do not really understand the instructions, but you do not wait to ask him. You go ahead with what you think is correct and damage the drill press. Read and follow all safety instructions for the new drill press before you use it. You do not really understand the instructions, but you do not wait to ask him. You go ahead with what you think is correct and damage the drill press.
-writing: Your supervisor asses you to ride up and material take-off (supply list) for the project. You rush through the list and didn’t check what you’ve written. The supplier delivers 250 feet of PVC piping Cut to your specified sizes instead of 25 feet.
As you can see, good communication on the worksite has a direct effect on safety, schedules, and budgets.
The following are some examples of communication noise:
ascender uses his work-related words, or jargon, that the receiver does not understand.
The sender does not speak clearly.
The sender's written message is disorganized or contains mistakes.
The sender is not specific.
The sender does not get that to the point.
The receiver is tired or distracted or just not paying attention.
The receiver has poor listening or reading skills.
Actual noise on the construction site makes it physically hard to hear a message.
There is a mechanical problem with the equipment used to communicate, such as static on the phone or radio line.