Talk is cheap. And thank goodness for that because it's how we all communicate. Even the smallest and simplest of creatures have their own way of communicating with each other. As a writer, I am most at ease when I communicate through the written word. Not everybody likes to write, though, But whether we prefer to communicate through speech or through the written word, it can be very beneficial to know how to effectively communicate our thoughts. So while talk is cheap, here are a few tips on how to get more bang for your communication buck.
1. Know yourself. When you talk or write, do you tend to leave out too much information? Or do you tend to include too many unimportant details? Either way, you don't communicate clearly or effectively. Correct yourself as you go.
2. Customize your message to those you are speaking to. Are your talking or writing to peers, children, or professionals?
3. When dealing with details, repeat the message back to the speaker. If they say to you that they want to meet at 4;30 for coffee, repeat that that back to them. It a) confirms that you were listening and b) verifies that you have the correct information.
When someone in your life tells you some good news, here are the do's and don'ts.
Do respond enthusiastically while maintaining eye contact. Smiling displays positive emotion.
Don't point out the negative or downside of their good news and don't display negative nonverbal cues. Don't display your lack of interest by adding something about yourself, "A promotion, eh?. Will you pick up a loaf of bread on your way home from the gym?"
To work on perfecting your responses, each day take a look at how you replied to others when they gave you their good news. Where they active and constructive or passive and destructive? Only by looking closely at how we communicate with others can we then make the necessary changes to improve it. Sometimes, our responses can be so bad, that they will require a sincere apology, followed by a better, more positive comment.
When it comes to speaking, words aren't the only way we communicate. Bodies and faces have a way of saying things, too. Folded arms in front of your chest can signal that you're closed off or feeling defensive. Lack of good eye contact can signal your disinterest in the subject at hand. it can also mean that you're ashamed of something or that you're finding the current topic uncomfortable to discuss. And when your use your loud "outside" voice, it sends a clear signal that you are escalating the discussion and becoming more emotionally involved. it can also mean that the speaking isn't feeling hear or understood. The eyes and mouth convey meaning, as well. Research shows that we use our eyes and out mouth to interpret emotions and gain context. And finally,
Is it a man thing or a woman thing? the answer is "No." Human men and women are more alike than they are different when it comes to communicating supportively. Everyone wants to be heard and to be understood. I have found that when someone is speaking to you, especially about something that is important to them (good or bad) the best thing that anyone can say is, "I hear you" or "I understand what you're saying." This doesn't mean that you always have to agree with them, it simply means that you understand their message and get what they're saying. Using either of those two simple sentences can de-escalate nearly any heated conversation.
I hope these tips and tricks help you to communicate more effectively. We all talk so why not make that talk work for you instead of against you?
I invite you all back here tomorrow but, until then, I wish you much
PEACE.
1. Know yourself. When you talk or write, do you tend to leave out too much information? Or do you tend to include too many unimportant details? Either way, you don't communicate clearly or effectively. Correct yourself as you go.
2. Customize your message to those you are speaking to. Are your talking or writing to peers, children, or professionals?
3. When dealing with details, repeat the message back to the speaker. If they say to you that they want to meet at 4;30 for coffee, repeat that that back to them. It a) confirms that you were listening and b) verifies that you have the correct information.
When someone in your life tells you some good news, here are the do's and don'ts.
Do respond enthusiastically while maintaining eye contact. Smiling displays positive emotion.
Don't point out the negative or downside of their good news and don't display negative nonverbal cues. Don't display your lack of interest by adding something about yourself, "A promotion, eh?. Will you pick up a loaf of bread on your way home from the gym?"
To work on perfecting your responses, each day take a look at how you replied to others when they gave you their good news. Where they active and constructive or passive and destructive? Only by looking closely at how we communicate with others can we then make the necessary changes to improve it. Sometimes, our responses can be so bad, that they will require a sincere apology, followed by a better, more positive comment.
When it comes to speaking, words aren't the only way we communicate. Bodies and faces have a way of saying things, too. Folded arms in front of your chest can signal that you're closed off or feeling defensive. Lack of good eye contact can signal your disinterest in the subject at hand. it can also mean that you're ashamed of something or that you're finding the current topic uncomfortable to discuss. And when your use your loud "outside" voice, it sends a clear signal that you are escalating the discussion and becoming more emotionally involved. it can also mean that the speaking isn't feeling hear or understood. The eyes and mouth convey meaning, as well. Research shows that we use our eyes and out mouth to interpret emotions and gain context. And finally,
Is it a man thing or a woman thing? the answer is "No." Human men and women are more alike than they are different when it comes to communicating supportively. Everyone wants to be heard and to be understood. I have found that when someone is speaking to you, especially about something that is important to them (good or bad) the best thing that anyone can say is, "I hear you" or "I understand what you're saying." This doesn't mean that you always have to agree with them, it simply means that you understand their message and get what they're saying. Using either of those two simple sentences can de-escalate nearly any heated conversation.
I hope these tips and tricks help you to communicate more effectively. We all talk so why not make that talk work for you instead of against you?
I invite you all back here tomorrow but, until then, I wish you much
PEACE.
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