Module |
Functions of Communication: Motivation and Information |
At the end of this module, I can:
Aside from teaching and training, a coach also needs to provide his or her players ample motivation so that they will give their best both during practice and games. Similarly, teachers and mentors must not only teach their students, but also motivate them so that they will strive harder to achieve their dreams.
According to Psychology Today, motivation is literally “the desire to do things.” The same periodical considers motivation as the “crucial element in setting and attaining goals.”
Often, one can direct himself or herself to do things; other times, a person needs to be influenced or motivated by others such as motivational speakers. A motivational speaker is a person who specializes in making speeches intended to inspire or motivate an audience. Such speeches usually offer words of encouragement, pieces of advice, and tips on how to succeed in life or how to accomplish certain goals. For a motivational speaker to inspire others, he or she must be an excellent communicator—one who can interact with people from all walks of life, relate with them, and express his or her ideas clearly and effectively. However, motivational speakers are not the only ones who can motivate people. Everyone can be a motivator, especially if he or she has the requisite communication skills.
Another important function of communication is information. This function of communication is evident in news agencies, customer service, and technical support sectors whose objectives are to share important information to people. Technical support specialists, for example, give clients step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot or operate a gadget or appliance, while customer service representatives share information about their products and special offers to their clients.
Be motivated to double-check the information that you see online.
Today, information dissemination has become much easier through technology. However, the far-reaching scope of mass media and the internet, along with the ease of using such technologies in disseminating information, has also made it much easier for some people to misinform the general public. Hence, effective communication strategies are crucial to fulfill the informative function of communication, especially that the failure to impart accurate information at the right time may sometimes result in negative consequences.
Who motivates you to do better in school? What does that person say to motivate you?
Motivation is a key communication function that aims to encourage people into action. Simply saying “Go!” to a friend who expresses a desire to do something is already an attempt to motivate him or her, so is giving a pep talk to a depressed classmate.
Words and gestures motivate people. For instance, offering kind and affirming words to someone can encourage that person to follow his or her dreams. Nonverbal cues such as a simple pat on the back and a reassuring nod can be inspiring. Thus, being able to motivate others through words and gestures is a skill you should develop so that you can encourage and inspire the people around you in various ways.
Always motivate people to do good and strive hard.
How will you motivate the persons involved in the following situations through words (verbal) and actions or gestures (nonverbal)? Write your answers on the table below.
| Communication Situation | Verbal Motivation | Nonverbal Motivation |
1. Your brother did not win the most valuable player award in the basketball tournament. |
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2. Your family’s crops were destroyed by the typhoon. |
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3. You were served the last sandwich in the canteen and the student behind you on the queue was told to wait 10 minutes for the next serving. |
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4. Your best friend lost a loved one. |
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5. Your elder sister was not given a permanent employment status in her job. |
Track: Academic
You have earned your college degree and have become a successful professional in your field. The school where you completed your junior high school invited you to be the guest speaker for the commencement ceremony of grade 10 students. Prepare a motivational speech that will focus on your experiences as former high school student and will motivate your audience to strive harder in senior high school. Apply the appropriate communication strategies to ensure that the message of your speech will be delivered clearly and effectively, and will motivate students to strive harder in the next stage of their academic lives. Your speech should be delivered with proper prosodic elements.
In the various definitions of communication in the previous modules, the word information is used prominently. Communication, in fact, is defined in its most basic sense as an “exchange of information.” Exchanges of information, with you as either the source or receiver of information, occur regularly in your everyday life, with the pieces of information ranging from the relevant to the mundane. For instance, you exchange information with your friends when you talk about the latest movies you have watched or when you compare your projects with those of others.
One can give and receive information through various channels: through face-to-face interaction, mass media, the internet, among others.
Misinformation leads to confusion and wrong actions that could have serious and costly repercussions.
Give a sample piece of information that the following people need when they communicate.
Read the article at http://staffmotivationmatters.co.uk/communication-improves-employee-motivation/. Afterward, identify the relevant pieces of information to you based on how communication impacts motivation. Then, answer the following questions.
Choose one of the topics below. Search for online academic articles or journals that discuss or provide relevant information about your chosen topic. Report your findings in class through a slide presentation.
Recall a time when you had to search for a lot of information which you needed to disseminate to others. What strategies did you use to search for the information? How did you ensure the correctness and accuracy of the information?
Form a group with five members and research on how the following government agencies communicate important information to the public. Consolidate your research outputs and report the information you have obtained through a simulated newscast. Then, answer the following questions.
What are some of the ways that you use communication to motivate people and disseminate information?
To find out how to be an excellent motivator and source of information, read the articles on the following websites:
Motivation pushes people to work hard or give their best, but only certain people are capable to push others into action through words and gestures. These people are excellent communicators who know how to motivate and inspire.
Meanwhile, information gives people knowledge, and with this knowledge comes the ability to make informed choices. Today, people have access to a plethora of information because of technological advancements. The challenge now is to obtain, make sense of, and ultimately share vital pieces of information with others.