DLRA Accredited Officials Training
Communication Techniques Unit
Communication is one of the key attributes of a good official. It is the ability to not just give direction and instruction, but also to be able to receive it and understand what is being told to you, why it is being said and then to act on it appropriately.
Communications include, but are not limited to verbal and visual instructions but may include specific instructions, written instructions, plans or instructions related to a job or task, in person as well as on the UHF radios.
With Land Speed Racing, often communication will be taking place in an extremely noisy environment, with entrants and other officials who will be under considerable stress or distraction. Your job, by using effective communication is to try and relieve some of that stress and make sure that what your saying has been understood.
Never assume that the person you are talking to or dealing with has the same level of knowledge or mind set as your self. Be patient and direct, but a good strategy to confirm what the issue actually is, is to ask questions. Often you will find, that after asking a few quick questions, the topic or matter at hand may shift dramatically.
Never feel that you are obliged to make a decision on the spot. Even if the person you are dealing with is demanding one. It's OK to say, I need to refer this to another official or even a committee.
There are a number of required skills including;
- apply plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to dealing with entrants and their teams, media, and spectators (general public)
- apply oral communication skills sufficient to convey information and concepts to these stakeholders
- remember that the people you are dealing with may have absolutely no knowledge or understanding of what you are talking about and you need consider this.
- Accepting feedback, in all it's forms, and then where appropriate being able to turn it into an action.
- The official should be familiar with basic land speed terminology.
Part of your practical assessment for this unit will be observing you communicating effectively with others involved in or affected by the actions you undertake as an official.
Once you have completed this unit, submit details below for Accreditation