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Put away electronic devices and pay full attention to the speaker. Ensure that you are maintaining eye contact and avoiding interrupting the speaker.
Taking time to try and understand the speaker's perspectives and to validate their feelings can show them that you care and are invested in the conversation.
A simple statement like, "Tell me more," can really open up a conversation, as it encourages the speaker to elaborate and express themselves fully.
Repeat back an abridged version of what you just heard the speaker say, to demonstrate understanding and to show that you're really engaged.
When appropriately inserted in conversation, humor can lighten the mood and build rapport. It's important, though, to make sure the laughs aren’t at someone else’s expense.
People need and want different things when communicating. Be flexible so that you can adapt your communication style in order to help facilitate understanding and building rapport.
Creating a safe, non-judgmental, and welcoming space for open communication will help the conversation flow better and build trust between the parties involved in the conversation.
Try to minimize distractions and give the speaker your full attention to demonstrate respect and engagement.
Disagreeing with someone is bound to happen. However, how you handle the disagreement is what makes all the difference. Be sure to acknowledge the other person's feelings, even if you don't agree with them.
At times, conversations can be tough. But, communicating openly and truthfully, even if the message is difficult, is key.
Where we come from can dramatically shape how we communicate. Be sure to respect cultural norms and differences in communication styles to help avoid misunderstandings.
Perhaps something that was said didn’t quite make sense to you. Asking for clarification, or for them to repeat something if you're unsure, can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure clear communication.
Make sure when expressing your thoughts, feelings, and opinions to use "I" statements that avoid blaming or accusing the other person.
Difficult and challenging conversations can be tough to have. To make them a bit easier, offer support and encouragement to the other person, as it helps them feel supported and heard.
An often overlooked aspect to a successful conversation is the follow-up. Taking time to follow up after the conversation shows a commitment to ensuring clarity, and it shows that you care!
While it’s important to be accommodating to the speaker, your needs are equally important. Make sure to communicate your needs, preferences, and boundaries, while also respecting the needs of others.
To inspire cooperation and possibly even motivation, always try to frame your messages in a positive and encouraging way.
It can be easier said than done, but do your best in challenging or confrontational conversations to stay open-minded and avoid becoming defensive.
Showing gratitude and appreciation for the other person's time, effort, and contributions fosters positive, open communication. It can be as simple as saying, "Thank you."
Reflect on your own communication style and habits, and be open to feedback for continuous improvement.
You won’t always hear the answer you might be hoping for. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, the answer will still be "no." Learn to accept this, and embrace it even.
It’s important to not interrupt when someone else is speaking. When we interrupt, it shows the speaker we care more about our thoughts than what they have to say.
Sources: (Forbes) (Coursera) (Medium) (eLearning Industry) (DailyGood) (HelpGuide.org)
See also: A customer service expert's guide to mastering difficult customer encounters
It’s important to know yourself and own who you are. After all, how can you communicate effectively with others without truly knowing where you're coming from?
Sometimes stories or feedback take longer than we anticipate. However, aim to avoid rambling or going off on tangents, to ensure clarity.
Communicating is a daily occurrence for each of us and, whether it's at work or with friends and family or somewhere else entirely, being able to converse confidently is an important skill. On the surface, communication may seem as easy as simply talking with another person; however, quite the opposite is true. There are so many factors that go into effectively speaking with someone, and all of them matter. In fact, if each one of us isn’t aware and committed to effective communication, it can lead to frustration, misunderstanding, and even conflict.
So take the time today to read this guide, and learn how you can confidently talk with anyone and have productive, healthy conversations. Click through the gallery to learn more.
A guide to confident and productive communication
Master the art of creating meaningful, interactive discussions
LIFESTYLE Communicating
Communicating is a daily occurrence for each of us and, whether it's at work or with friends and family or somewhere else entirely, being able to converse confidently is an important skill. On the surface, communication may seem as easy as simply talking with another person; however, quite the opposite is true. There are so many factors that go into effectively speaking with someone, and all of them matter. In fact, if each one of us isn’t aware and committed to effective communication, it can lead to frustration, misunderstanding, and even conflict.
So take the time today to read this guide, and learn how you can confidently talk with anyone and have productive, healthy conversations. Click through the gallery to learn more.