Developing Effective Communication Skills
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Good Communication Skills: The Key to Success
Communicate!
Poor communication skills will limit your opportunities for success.
Communicate Clearly and Concisely
When we communicate effectively, our message is received clearly and concisely. It doesn't matter if it's a verbal communication, or a written message such as a letter, memo, or e-mail.When speaking, is your body language sending one message while your words are conveying another? Are you sending mixed signals? Be sure your tone and body language match the message you are trying to convey.
Communication is a two-way street. We receive messages as often as we send them. Do we really listen to what is being said? Listen to the tone. Is the speaker's body language speaking louder than their words? When in doubt, ask for clarification.
Effective communication skills are broken down into several different facets. Study them. Determine your strengths and your weaknesses.
Listen Carefully
Listen to what is actually being said. Don't make assumptions or jump to conclusions. Acknowledging what someone is saying doesn't mean you have to agree or disagree with them. You can learn a great deal by simply listening to others. The Art Of Talking So That People Will Listen
The Art of Talking So That People Will Listen: Getting Through to Family, Friends & Business Associates
Amazon Price: $12.60 (as of 07/10/2009)
Communicating well, to be truly heard and understood, will have a profound impact on your life. Dr Swets' The Art Of Talking So That People Will Listen offers an excellent guide in how to improve your communication skills. Better communication skills will enhance your self-confidence and broaden your perspective. The principles taught by Dr. Swets will work for you and your children. I highly recommend this book.
Express Yourself Clearly
Give your listener the information he needs to understand what you're saying. If you made an observation you're not happy with, consider this: Tell them what you observed, how you feel about it or how you interpret the situation, what you want to happen, and then tell them how you feel that could be accomplished. Telling your son you are not happy with the state of his bedroom will not accomplish much. Telling him why you are unhappy about it, what you want done and when, might. Clear directions followed with why you want something done a particular way, is usually more effective that simply giving directions or orders. Watch the body language!
It can speak louder than words.
Nonverbal Clues
The meaning behind our words can be enhanced or can be misconstrued depending on the body language that accompanies it. When a listener receives mixed signals, they are forced to choose between the verbal and the nonverbal communication. More often than not they will choose to believe the nonverbal aspect of the message. Mixed messages can create tension and distrust. What Every BODY is Saying
What Every BODY is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 07/10/2009)
Understanding nonverbal messages is vital in many jobs today. Mr. Navarro provides a practical and constructive guide to reading body language. Not only will it help you read others, it will help you control the nonverbal messages we inadvertently send. What Every BODY is Saying is an excellent resource in the workplace and in everyday life.
Communicating in Different Environments
I am a teacher and am comfortable standing in front of a room full of students. I can communicate the material well and have a good rapport with my students. Take me out of the classroom and put me in a social setting such as a party, and I want to migrate toward the wall and stay there. Different situations require different Communication Skills. I find it difficult to create small talk with people I do not know well. It is a communication skill I need to work on.Good communication skills require a high level of self-awareness. Assess your skills. By understanding your own communication style, it's easier to change and improve it. Strong communication skills will go a long way in creating a lasting impression on others.
Communication Skills
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Nonverbal Communication: Reading the Signals
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When we interpret the meaning of someone's statement, it is not just the words we need to tune into. The nonverbal factors such as gestures, tone, and facial expressions tell us so much more. Words can be manipulated but nonverbal cues are hard to fa...
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The Art of Small Talk
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We have all been in situations that call for Small Talk. Your supervisor invites you to a little soiree. No one else in the office was invited. Did it mean you're slotted for the promotion? You know you need to go, you want to go, but your boss is th...
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Learn How to Listen
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Most people assume they are good listeners. They hear what is being said and some can even repeat it back verbatim. Unfortunately hearing what was said does not make you a good listener. Listening means paying attention and making a conscious effort...
Are you a good communicator? Tell me what you think.
comeseeeddie wrote...
How true this is. For as long as i can remember , i said , there is those who hear and those who listen. Majority of people don't listen in which it is our number one enemy as humans.
Posted April 09, 2009
OhMe wrote...
I work a lot with volunteers and find that Effective Communication Skills are something that we all need to work on. Great lens and welcome to the SC group.
Posted December 03, 2008
chefkeem wrote...
Yup, seems like many of us have forgotten how to listen to one another. It takes genuine interest to really hear what a person is saying (and communicating in other ways, as you point out in your fine lens). 5*s and a blessing. :)
Posted November 29, 2008
About the Author
Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen, aka Lizzy Jean, has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 3,690 lenses, favorited 454, and has created 165 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "The Mallard Duck". See all my lenses
Learn to Listen How to Tune in Before Someone Tunes You Out
Learn to Listen - How to Tune in Before Someone Tunes You Out (Business User's Manual)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Most people are poor listeners. They are too busy thinking about what they want to say to pay much attention to what you're saying. Those who understand the dynamics of the communication process have a huge advantage. Jim Dugger's Learn to Listen teaches you how to overcome the barriers that keep you from becoming a good listener.
by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
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