Have you ever misinterpreted someone’s text?
Focusing on one channel of communication can lead to major problems. You don’t want that. You want people to understand where you are coming from.
Right?
There are so many ways to execute effective communication skills. By using all of your senses, you can ensure you reduce conflicts and foster better relationships.
1. Use all of Your Senses
Everyone has a set of ears, but what if I told you that listening is not just done with your ears?
Active listening involves using your ears, your eyes, and your mouth.
Make eye contact. acknowledge what is being said by responding with empathy or ensuring your responses lead the conversation in a positive direction.
Non-Verbal Communication is Just as Loud as Verbal
So how do you pull this off?
Take notice of their body language. Do they appear nervous or emotional? Are they about to cry? Are they happy? These cues will help you be more effective in your response to what they are saying.
2. It’s How You Say It
“Bae, grab my shoes!”
I just said that with a flirty smile, but when you read it, what type of emotion do you interpret from it?
Punctuation helps to define a sentence. In verbal communication, your tone acts as punctuation in your sentences.
Be clear in what you are saying and how you say it. Never use a tone that will cause emotional walls to come up in the person that you are talking to.
3. Acknowledge and Affirm
Break the nasty habit of listening to respond.
Nod your head to show you are listening. If there is something you don’t understand, then ask for clarity.
Summarize what you have heard.
When you are in a disagreement with someone, you should employ effective communication skills to ensure the argument can be resolved. Do this by saying, “What I hear you saying is…” Afterward, speak your point of view with your understanding of their point of view in mind. Or do the next tip.
You Should Be An Open Book
4. Ask Questions
Sometimes we don’t quite make sense of what someone has spoken to us. If we don’t understand, we should ask questions to get clarity.
Never leave it up to your understanding.
If the other party is actively listening as well, they will notice any verbal and non-verbal communication you are giving about what they have said.
But don’t depend on that and surely don’t expect someone to read your mind. Ask questions for clarity, don’t make assumptions about anything that you are not clear about.
5. Turn Off Your Filters for Effective Communication
The biggest barrier to effective communication is the preconceived thoughts and opinions we bring to the conversation.
Do not go into a conversation already believing you know how the other communicator feels or thinks. You should be an open book ready to hear them out on whatever they are saying
Effective communication should help you discover new things about the other person that you did not know before.
Work on these skills and you will and your friends, spouse, or co workers will have better communication experiences.