Who Knew [Fill in the Blank] Was a Four-

Letter Word?

Communication Agreements in the Library Workplace

Kabel Stanwicks IST 614

What is a Communication Agreement?

Establishes individualized guidelines for cooperative communication and seeks to create a comfortable environment for open communication.

• Begins with a guided discussion about communication preferences.

• Participants develop an understanding of each other’s communication styles.

• Use this understanding to come to an agreement on how to communicate.

Kabel Stanwicks IST 614

When to Establish a Communication Agreement

• Following conflict

• New employee in the workplace

• Someone takes on a supervisory role

• Project team is formed

• People recognize the need to improve communication

Kabel Stanwicks IST 614

Tips for Facilitating a Successful Communication Discussion

• Be a facilitator.

• Hold discussions in a private, neutral space.

• Allow people time to cool off when necessary.

• Remain focused on future communication.

• Establish your own communication agreements with people before facilitating agreements between others.

• Establish ground rules for the discussion.

• Be prepared for discussions to take an uncomfortable turn.

• Distribute discussion questions ahead of time.

Kabel Stanwicks IST 614

Sample Questions for a Communication Discussion

Kabel Stanwicks IST 614

What do you like to hear, and what do you not like to

hear when someone praises

you?

Would you like to establish a neutral and comfortable location in which difficult

conversations can be held should the need arise? If so, where would you like to meet?

How do you prefer to receive

communication? (email, face-to-face,

telephone, etc.)

What are you receptive to and what are you not receptive to when it comes to discussing performance problems and

receiving constructive criticism?

Are there specific words that you consider “four-letter words” that

trigger a negative response?

How do you like to be praised?

How do you prefer to be approached about

performance problems? What can someone say or how can someone phrase

things to generate a productive, forward-moving

conversation?

Are there particular settings in which you like to receive

praise?

If a conversation takes an uncomfortable turn, how do you want to approach relocating to a neutral place to continue the conversation?

Communication Agreements Help Decrease Workplace Conflict

Kabel Stanwicks IST 614