Connection Code Slides Interpersonal Communication
Connection
Code
Mastering the art of verbal, nonverbal, and relational communication.
Today's Mission
01
Decode the different types of interpersonal communication.
02
Identify and break through common communication barriers.
03
Build healthier relationships through active listening and empathy.
04
Resolve conflicts using professional strategies and "I" statements.
"The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives."
What is IPC?
The process by which people exchange information, feelings, and meaning through messages.
It's not just what you say...
It's about the non-verbal signals sent through body language, expressions, and gestures.
Face to Face
The Loop
Sender
Encodes Message
Message
Receiver
Decodes Message
Loop Completes with Feedback
Verbal Code
Type 01
Word Choice
Selecting vocabulary that fits the context and audience understanding.
Tone & Pitch
The emotional quality of your voice. (Sarcastic? Supportive? Aggressive?)
Clarity
Structuring sentences to avoid confusion and noise.
"Communication is a skill you can learn."
— Brian Tracy
Nonverbal Signals
Type 02
Body Language
Posture, gestures, and movement. (Open vs. Closed)
Facial Expressions
Micro-expressions that reveal true emotions.
Proxemics
The physical distance we maintain from others.
70-90%
of communication is believed to be nonverbal. It's often louder than words.
Reading the Room
Quick Practice: What are these nonverbal cues telling you?
Scenario A
A person is leaning forward, making steady eye contact, and nodding their head while you speak.
Engagement & Agreement
Scenario B
A person has arms crossed, is looking at their watch frequently, and is leaning away from you.
Defensiveness or Boredom
Hearing vs. Listening
Hearing
A passive, physical process of perceiving sound.
Listening
An active, mental process of making sense of sound.
ACTIVE!
"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply."
— Stephen R. Covey
Active Listening
01
Attention
Give undivided focus. Avoid all distractions.
02
Body Proof
Use posture to show you are "in" the talk.
03
Feedback
Paraphrase. "So what you mean is..."
04
Patience
Allow them to finish before you speak.
Healthy Bonds
Empathy
Stepping into someone else's shoes to understand their reality.
Respect
Valuing boundaries and opinions, even during disagreement.
Trust
Consistent, honest behavior that builds a safe foundation.
The Barrier Wall
External Noise
Loud Environments
Phone Distractions
Poor Connection
Internal Filters
Assumptions & Bias
Intense Emotions
Cultural Gaps
Barrier Breakthrough
Confirm
Ask clarifying questions to ensure you understood.
Unplug
Remove physical noise and focus only on them.
Pause
Check your emotions before reacting to them.
Conflict Resolution
"Conflict is not bad. It is an opportunity for growth."
Healthy conflict is about solutions, not victory.
1
Define the Issue
2
Listen First
3
Common Ground
Conflict Styles
🦈
Shark
Winning at any cost. (Aggressive)
🐢
Turtle
Hiding from conflict. (Avoiding)
🧸
Teddy
Harmony over results. (Giving In)
Fox
Fox
Giving a little up. (Compromise)
Owl
Owl
Win-Win solutions. (Collaboration)
The "I" Code
Avoid: "You"
"You always forget me!"
Accusatory
Use: "I"
"I feel worried when I don't hear back."
Expressive
Formula: I feel Emotion + when Behavior + because Impact.
De-escalation
Cooling
Off
1
Stay Calm: Lower your volume.
2
Validate: "I see you are upset."
3
Space: Take a 5-minute break.
Mission Control
"Alex sent a text. Sam didn't reply for 2 days. Alex assumes Sam is lazy. Alex says: 'Why are you so lazy? You never do your part!'"
Error
Assumption
Barrier
Emotion
Fix
"I" Statement
The Download
Verbal + Nonverbal
Listening > Hearing
"I" Statements = Peace
Conflict = Opportunity
Connection
Final Quest
Decode Your Day
"Practice one active listening technique today and replace one 'You' statement with an 'I' statement."
Next Steps
Check your Connection Code Lab Report for deeper training exercises.
Mission Complete
Connection Code Activity Sheet Lab Report: 01
Connection
Code
Agent Name:
Date:
Part 01: Decoding the Signals
Identify whether each behavior is Verbal (V) or Nonverbal (N) . Then, describe the possible message it sends.
01
Saying "I'm fine" while sighing heavily.
V/N
02
Checking your phone while a friend talks.
V/N
03
Using a calm, soft tone of voice.
V/N
04
Sending an email with all-caps words.
V/N
Part 02: Barrier Breakthrough
Scenario: You are trying to explain a complex project to a teammate, but they seem frustrated and keep interrupting you with "Yeah, yeah, I get it."
Identify the Barrier:
Strategy to Break Through:
Part 03: The "I" Statement Lab
Convert the following "You" statements into healthy "I" statements using the formula:I feel [EMOTION] + when [BEHAVIOR] + because [IMPACT].
A
"You always ignore my ideas during group work!"
B
"You never answer my texts when I'm asking for help!"
Part 04: Style Reflection
Recall a recent conflict. Which "Animal" style did you use (Shark, Turtle, Teddy Bear, Fox, Owl)? Why did you choose that style, and was it effective?
Connection Code Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
Connection
Code
Interpersonal Communication Mastery
Lesson Overview
This lesson provides students with the "Connection Code"—a set of tools to navigate the complex world of human interaction. Students will move from understanding basic verbal/nonverbal cues to masterfully handling conflict and building deep, healthy relationships.
Key Objectives
Differentiate verbal and nonverbal cues.
Apply active listening techniques.
Utilize "I" statements in conflict.
Identify personal conflict styles.
Materials Needed
Connection Code Slides
Lab Report Activity Sheets
Optional: Timer for Case Study
Pacing Guide
Introduction 10 min
Types of Comm 15 min
Active Listening 15 min
Conflict & "I" Stmts 20 min
Lab Report/Wrap 30 min
Total: 90 Minutes
Slide-by-Slide Facilitation
06
Nonverbal Signals
Discussion Prompt: Ask students to name a movie character who is great at nonverbal communication (e.g., Wall-E, Mr. Bean). Why do we understand them without words? Highlight the "70-90%" statistic—remind them that when words and body language clash, we almost always believe the body language.
09
Active Listening Protocol
Mini-Activity: Have students turn to a partner. One person talks for 30 seconds about their favorite hobby while the other person intentionally uses "Bad Listening" (looking away, interrupting). Then swap to "Active Listening." Discuss how the speaker felt in both scenarios.
15
Conflict Style Animals
Note: Emphasize that no style is "evil," but the Owl (Collaborator) is the gold standard for long-term relationships. The Shark might be necessary in an emergency, while the Teddy Bear might be okay for trivial matters.
16
The Language of Resolution
Key Teaching Point: Explain that "You" statements trigger the "Fight or Flight" response. "I" statements keep the other person's brain in "Social/Logical" mode. Practice the formula out loud together before starting the Lab Report.
Differentiation & Extension
Support (Scaffolding)
Provide a word bank of "Emotions" for the "I" statement lab. Group students intentionally so that stronger communicators can model active listening for those who struggle.
Challenge (Extension)
Ask students to write a script for a 3-minute scene where a conflict begins as a "Shark" fight but is resolved using "Owl" strategies and "I" statements.
Connection Code Answer Key Lab Report: 01
Answer
Key
Teacher Reference Only
Part 01: Decoding the Signals
01
"I'm fine" + heavy sigh.
V + N
Frustration, annoyance, or hiding true feelings.
02
Checking phone while listening.
N
Disinterest, lack of respect, or boredom.
03
Calm, soft tone of voice.
V (Paraverbal)
Support, empathy, safety, or openness.
04
Email in all-caps.
V (Digital)
Urgency, anger, or shouting.
Part 02: Barrier breakthrough
Possible Barriers:
External Noise (Interruptions) or Psychological Filter (The teammate is stressed or thinks they already know the info).
Strategy:
Pause the explanation. Ask: "I notice you're in a hurry—is this a bad time to talk?" or "Can I finish this one part so we're both on the same page?"
Part 03: "I" Statement Lab
Model Answer A:
"I feel discouraged when my ideas aren't heard because I want to help our group succeed."
Model Answer B:
"I feel overwhelmed when I don't get a reply because I'm stuck on this problem and need help."
Part 04: Evaluation Guide
Mastery
Correctly identifies their animal style and explains the pros/cons of that style within the specific context.
Developing
Identifies animal style but gives a vague reason or doesn't reflect on its effectiveness.
Beginning
Does not identify a conflict style or the response is unrelated to the conflict animal metaphor.
Connection Code Note Packet Student Field Notes
Connection
Code
Name:
Date:
Core Definition
Interpersonal Communication (IPC) is the process by which people exchange ________________________, ________________________, and ________________________ through verbal and non-verbal messages.
The Communication Loop
Step 1
________________
Encodes Message
Step 2
________________
The Content
Step 3
________________
Decodes Message
Step 4
________________
Completes Loop
Verbal Code
Word Choice:
Selecting vocabulary for the ________________________.
Tone & Pitch:
The ________________________ quality of your voice.
Clarity:
Structuring to avoid ________________________.
Nonverbal Signals
Body Language:
Posture, gestures, and ________________________.
Facial Expressions:
Reveal true ________________________.
Proxemics:
Physical ________________________ from others.
Nonverbal communication is 70-90% of all meaning!
Active Listening Protocol
01: Pay Attention
Give undivided ________________.
02: Show Support
Use ________________ to show you listen.
03: Provide Feedback
________________ what you heard.
04: Defer Judgment
Allow speaker to ________________ first.
Communication Barriers
External Barriers (Noise)
Example: Loud music, phones.
Internal Barriers (Filters)
Example: Assumptions, anger.
Conflict Animal Styles
🦈
Shark
Competing
🐢
Turtle
Avoiding
🧸
Teddy
Giving In
🦊
Fox
Compromise
🦉
Owl
Win-Win
The "I" Statement Code
I feel
(Emotion)
when
(Behavior)
