Communication for
Extension Personnel
K.M.Singh
Principal Scientist and Head,
ICAR-RCER, Patna
Preface
Extension workers should be able to tell the
farmers accurately about different
technological options available and how to
choose among many.
They must have good communication,
problem-solving and listening skills.
Extension workers must also be able to
manage and train their staff, and they need
skills to manage the day-to-day operations of
their office.
Why Communications Skills Are So
Important ?
The purpose of communication is to get your
message across to others. This is a process that
involves both the sender of the message and the
receiver. This process leaves room for error,
with messages often misinterpreted by one or
more of the parties involved. This causes
unnecessary confusion and counter productivity.
In fact, a message is successful only when both
the sender and the receiver perceive it in the
same way.
Communication Is Affected By...
Personal Factors
mood
energy level / fatigue
body language
Environment
noise
temperature
other distractions
Whether we use old technology or new, effective
communication includes active listening, choosing our words
carefully and matching them with our body language.
Listening
sighing
yawning
looking at your watch or over the shoulder of the
person speaking
crossing your arms over your chest
standing with hands on your hips
Filtering
Selective Perception
Emotions
Language
Key Communication Skills
Listening Skills
Feedback Skills
Presentation skills
Meaning
Hearing
Focusing on the message
Comprehending and interpreting
Analyzing and Evaluating
Responding
Remembering
Barriers to Active Listening
Environmental barriers
Physiological barriers
Psychological barriers
Selective Listening
Negative Listening Attitudes
Personal Reactions
Poor Motivation
How to Be an Effective Listener
Want to listen
Delay judgment
Admit your biases
Don’t tune out “dry” subjects
Accept responsibility for understanding
Encourage others to talk
How to Be an Effective Listener
(cont.)
Helpers
Preparation – Structure
Sequence should be logical &
understandable
Interim summaries- Recaps
Value of visual aids-flip charts, handouts
etc.
Presentation Skills
Prepare Closing
Last 2 to 2.5 minutes are as critical as the
first five minutes for a successful
presentation
Summarize- highlight important points
Suggest action- what to do and when,
where and how to do it
Presentation Skills
Stage Fright
Everyone has it to some degree
Can be used constructively
Key issue is not elimination of fear
Handling Questions
So to conclude :
Always prepare
Channelize you fear
Interact with your audience
THANK YOU
Any questions?