Last month we discussed some habits that might derail our listening and practiced being more effective listeners. This month we are going to flip the coin and talk about how to make sure we are also being effective communicators. This video includes a brief exercise to test the idea of perspective. Each person can interpret something in a different way and we cannot assume that they will understand any one concept in the same way that we do.
Remember that 90% of communication is nonverbal, including intonation, expressions etc. so it all matters. Are you being clear, expressing yourself, taking into account the perspective of the listener, perhaps even their listening villain? What can we do to be more effective communicators? I have outlined some general tips below as well as included resources:
-Think before you speak: is it important, relevant, constructive?
-Reduce filler words by speaking slowly and deliberately
-Summarize what you think you hear or ask what the listener heard from you
-Ask open-ended, nonleading, clarifying questions
-If you think something is "common sense" or "self-explanatory" it probably isn't. (I imagine you've heard: when you assume you make an "ass" out of "u" and "me.")
As you practice these skills ask yourself, "What was an opportunity that you had to communicate more clearly with someone? How did it go?"
Resources:
Social Anxiety Remedy: 10 Communication Skills You Were Never Taught - Social Anxiety
Improvement Pill: Communication Skills - How To Improve Communication Skills - 7 Unique Tips!
The Mindset Mentor: How to Master Communication
Communication in the Workplace Statistics 2023
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