1. The Importance of Credibility in Relationship Building
Dr. Tami Radohl, PhD, LSCSW
Director of Field Education Assistant Professor
Social Work

2. Overview How do we define credibility?
How does credibility impact communication?
How is credibility different than “trust?”
Application Activity—Dr. Phil
Kahoot (I hope you have a personal electronic device!)
How does credibility impact relationship dynamics?
Small Group / Large Group Activity

3. Objectives for this session

4. Objectives for this session
1) explain the definition of credibility in your own words;
2) understand how language or terminology influences emotional responses; and
3) apply the concept to real-life situations

5. Research in the real world…
Family-Directed Structural Therapy (FDST) is one model of many.
McLendon et al., 2005; 2009; Radohl, 2011
Additional studies have taken place at the University of Northern Kentucky (Tara and Don McLendon)
A primary component within FDST is “core issues”
Credibility is a “core issue” in FDST that will be explored at length in this session.
Empowerment is another core issue which will be explored in relation to credibility

6. Communication & Listening
What is the definition of “communication?”
How do you know that people are listening to you?

7. Barriers to listening What are some things that get in the way?
Verbals (e.g. that doesn’t surprise me coming from you; of course, you would think that; what do you want this time?)
Non-verbals (rolling eyes, crossing arms, stance, tone of voice)
Trying to listen to more than one conversation.
You are tired
You sympathize rather than empathize
You are biased or have made other judgements
Pre-occupied
Others?
This is where self-awareness comes in! Pay attention this week to the verbals and non-verbals you use with friends, at work, at home, etc.

8. Empowerment What do people do when they don’t feel heard?
In FDST, empowerment is having a sense that
one’s opinion is heard and respected, and believing that one can affect change.
Do people listen to what you have to say?
Kids – Is your opinion valued by other people even if they don’t agree? Sometimes, do things change because of what you had to say?
How do “barriers of listening” come into play?

9. Definition: Credibility
Credibility is communicating what one will or will not do and demonstrating the ability to carry through.
Do you do what you say you will do?
Kids – When you say you will do something, do you do it?
In this model, “credibility” is used instead of “trust”.
What is trust?
What’s the difference between the two concepts?

10. Credibility
Credibility is an effective way to understand the importance of follow-through and action when building and maintaining relationships.
Instead of focusing on belief systems, credibility focuses on the importance of behavior and removing emotional reactivity in communication.

11. Tying it all together Concept application:
Empowerment
Credibility
Communication
Concept application:
How do empowerment and credibility work together or influence each other?
How might you use “credibility” instead of trust and what would that look like?

12. Dr. Phil Learning Exercise—Firing up your brain!

13. Kahoot time!
Please have your smart phones/tablets/laptops ready and connected to wifi! (if you need help connecting, please let me know).

14. Small group activity and discussion
Break up into groups of 3-4
In 5 minutes or less…answer:
How does credibility impact relationships?
Click on word cloud link and add answers as needed
Discussion with larger group

15. Conclusion Review concepts: Credibility; trust; empowerment
How does credibility impact relationships?
Questions/comments?