Effective Communication
Personal Expressions ..... Leave a comment below after you read!
Communication is vital to every relationship. Think of it. If we are incapable of expressing a need, most likely that need will be neglected. However life altering it maybe, the unfulfilled need, though obvious to the one incapable of expressing it, will not be addressed if misunderstood by the interpreting party. Therefore, because people can only appropriately address the concerns we express, it is important to our own growth and vitality, and even to our own survival that we express them intelligibly. In order to articulate clearly, we must be aware of good communication skills as well as barriers to those skills. Hence, with a little elaboration, I hope to motivate and inspire you to enhance this vital - life sustaining skill.
First let’s focus on the barriers to successful communication. In doing so, we can develop a method of attack to impede their hindrance. Such impositions include those that are physical, verbal, nonverbal, cultural and psychological. Physical barriers are those involved in an environmental setting such as lighting, noise, locale, and proximity of person/persons you are communing with. For instance, a poorly lit club with loud, metallic rock music playing in the background might be an inappropriate setting if communicating a marriage proposal. Your message might be misconstrued. Since verbal barriers pertain to the spoken language and nonverbal barriers deal with the body’s language, speaking in a murmur might betray one’s lack of self esteem. Likewise failure to make eye contact during a conversation is a body language which could too infer a lack of self confidence. One’s age, gender, ethnicities, or religion, all of which are cultural barriers, impose obstructions to the communicative process. Imagine meeting someone via the internet and falling madly in love with them. However, when you first talk over the phone and discover there is difficulty in conversing because of a distinct dialect this may pose a threat to the reality of there actually being a relationship. Finally, there are those psychological barriers we all carry secretly within us: our own attitudes, perceptions and beliefs. An example: being lied to time after time by those we love and trust. Thus, when befriending someone new, these issues of the heart lift their ugly heads. Our past collides with our present, causing difficulties with regards to our ability to trust, and if not dealt with properly this newfound friendship may terminate. I have mentioned capricious hurdles we encounter from day to day that hinder our ability to lucidly articulate our sometimes growing needs. I, however, want you to live your best life, avoiding these and similar scenarios. Here is a list of simple directives to help you overcome these barriers: First, ensure every conversationalist that the goal at hand is one of understanding, being of the same mind or on the same page, so to speak. There is no "star" involved in this dialogue. We are all working from the same standpoint: being understood. Next speak simply. Don't speak over everyone's head using complex vocabulary or lingo unknown to your audience. Instead use as few, simple words or phrases as possible. Also, being that words can inflame or calm a situation, I encourage you to use them wisely. Choosing a good location to talk is critical. Where there is an environment of love and peace as opposed to one filled with contention and strife, good communication will thrive. In addition, it may be significant that you and the other party are entirely alone as opposed to being around people, even if just a few. These are decisions you must make considering the nature – temperament of your conversation. Third, become an active listener. At certain intervals during conversation make mental note of what the speaker has shared. After the speaker has finished speaking repeat what you heard. Now brace yourself, the fourth suggestion entails vulnerability. No one likes feeling vulnerable, but sometimes it is a must. If during the course of a conversation you realize you are at fault, and that compromising is optional then follow that lead. Open up and acknowledge your fault. Don’t allow your pride or ego to short you. Consider this, when you open up, somehow this liberating force stirs others to open up too. On the other hand, however, when you shut down others will tend to follow that flow. Next, if what you are communicating is relevant treat it as such. Keep it quiet. Be mindful of the staging with regards to your announcement, confession or proposal. Is it fitting? Will it help or hinder your aim? A noisy, crowded environment may not be a good place to make a proposal. Finally, allow the conversational juices to flow by keeping your emotions intact. Be cool and avoid yelling, profane language, name calling and the like. Always be mindful that if you want to get things done, communication is key, but more importantly, the right tools for the skill must be utilized. A drill is of no use to a painting or a paint brush for house building. By the same token when communicating, one’s gear should be short of physical, verbal, nonverbal, cultural or psychological barriers. These are not efficient tools for the skill. However, it is essential in utilizing the skill of communication to get everyone on the same page. It is also necessary when effectively expressing a need, problem, or concern, to speak simply; be an active listener; open up; keep it quiet and just be cool. Related Articles The Passionate Peacock Butterfly Add Your Comments Share your thoughts! Leave me a comment below. |
A native of United States, Debbie Jones, is currently based in Decatur, Georgia. Working as a life coach, teacher, trainer, speaker, and writer, she has spent last three and half years in Public Demonstration of Witchcraft in the U.S. Divinely initiated by the Holy Spirit.
Through her work and life experiences, Debbie has developed a strong passion for encouraging others to embrace their differences and become empowered to choose their own paths. |