Communication Skills

Setting Transparent Expectations for Successful Group Work

Cecilia E. Suarez and Jarred A. Shellhouse

Regardless of workspace or class setting, group work has gotten a reputation for being less than pleasant. However, when individuals have the opportunity to prepare for group work via understanding their personal strengths, expectations, and perspectives, the not-so-popular group work can often turn into pleasant, productive, and collaborative engagement.

The Art of Goodbye: Communication Considerations

Suzanna Smith, Lynda Spence, and Chelsea Tafelski

Leading Difficult Conversations Series #4: Communication Styles under Stress

Christy C. Chiarelli

This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication focuses on helping leaders better understand their communication style when under stress. Even with adequate preparation, difficult conversations can still be stressful. By understanding their communication style under stress, leaders can better regulate their personal responses to ensure a productive conversation. Written by Christy C. Chiarelli.

Smartphone Photography to Communicate Science

Lisa K. Lundy

This article discusses the important role that photographs play in science communication. Tips are given for enhancing photography using smartphones.

Intercultural Competencies: Understanding High- vs. Low-Context Cultures

Pablo Lamino and John Diaz

This first publication in the Intercultural Competencies series provides valuable insights and recommendations on engaging diverse clientele by understanding and applying high-context and low-context cultural communication styles. Written by Pablo Lamino and John Diaz, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, November 2024.

Using the Delphi Technique to Achieve Consensus: A Tool for Guiding Extension Programs

Laura A. Warner

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: ==Special Handling==

Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory: Instrumentation and Application for Extension Professionals

Christy Chiarelli, Anne Parrish, Megan Cantrell, and Matt Benge

Conflict is inevitable in workplaces among people of all ages. Extension professionals have a unique position where in a single workday they may be engage with youth and volunteers, as well as colleagues and supervisors. Extension professionals may experience conflict with their stakeholders, volunteers, and supervisors; therefore, they must be able to understand conflict and conflict styles to navigate tense situations. The Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory (ROCI) is an instrument that can be used to understand one’s interpersonal conflict management style. By having a strong understanding of conflict components and for utilizing the ROCI tool, Extension professionals can manage conflict well and reduce the likelihood of dysfunctional conflict destroying relationships, teams, and organizations.

Life Skills in a Minute: Sending a Card

Heather Janney

Most of us have received a greeting card at some point in our lives. Receiving a card in the mail is an experience: pulling it out of the mailbox, reading the outside of the envelope, breaking the seal, pulling out the card, reading the note from the sender, and then placing it somewhere special. This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development program provides some guidelines to help with sending greeting cards. Written by Heather Janney.

Making an Effective Virtual Scientific Poster Presentation

Joe Barrett Carter III, Jithran Ekanayake, Taisha Venort, Kelsey Vought, Shannon Noble, and Adam Watson

This publication aims to provide guidance, strategies, and recommended tools to help aspiring presenters effectively adapt to the virtual environment and present their findings. Written by Joe Barrett Carter III, Jithran Ekanayake, Taisha Venort, Kelsey Vought, Shannon Noble, and Adam Watson, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, December 2023.