5 magical steps to communicate better

Effective communication is a key to your success. In todays time when everything is online we need to be more cautious about our communication (whether verbal or non verbal) in terms of conveying right message to the other person and receiving it. If result of any communication is not in your favor or has not reached a consensus then definitely its a problem in communication. Thus, here I bring magical steps to communicate better.

1. Learn to Listen - Listening is very important step in communication. Its not only about speaking but also more about listening. You can understand other persons problems, message, decisions etc. only when you lend an ear to them. Speaking, speaking and speaking can never solve a problem. We often feel that speaking more will put us in a convenient place rather the fact is that it worsens the situation in almost 100% of the time. So, Listen, listen and Listen carefully.

2. Tell them you listened - Again listening, if you are communicating over a phone, Video call or face to face, never forget to assure other person that you listened. You can say the following:-

" What I understand is_________________ " or

"You're trying to say that ________________

This assures the other person that you heard them and thus can lead to effective communication without any gaps.

3. Analyze the situation - Once you have heard and understood, now is the time to give it a thought, gather all kinds of emotions and respond in assertive way. Giving a thought and a slight pause helps you to not let your emotions (like anger, happiness, frustration etc) come out immediately, rather it will help you to gather them and reply in a manner that is not aggressive or non assertive. 

4. Think to collaborate - After a thought its time to respond but with assertion. Reply with solutions, suggestions, appropriate answers in which both the parties are benefitted. 

Eg if you are listening to an issue from the customer, reply calmly. Assure him of getting the problem solved. You can say " I understand what you are feeling _______________" or " I know where you are coming from _____________"

or if you are talking to your friend over a misunderstanding, think how the things can be turned into win win for both.

So, think about a solution which is collaborative, win win and satisfactory to all involved in the communication. It should not be just one way solution benefitting only you.

5 Open to feedback - And as I keep saying and writing, be open to feedback. You should be flexible to feedback, suggestions coming from other person. If you are not, then this communication will land up in mess. There will be no solution and no effective communication. Take feedback as an improvement medium. Its okay to be patient and silent when receiving negative feedbacks. Accept compliments graciously and feedbacks as improvement areas.

Your communication will always be successful, stress free and conflict resistant if above steps are followed. Send your comments, suggestions and thoughts on the above steps. I am open to feedback so keep posting and commenting.

Author
Shweta

Image by Cheska Poon from Pixabay 

5 questions leading to your Niche

 

                                                          Do you know your Niche?

Many of you have pointed out knowing your niche through my previous post. So, here I come with yet another post on identifying your niche. 

One of the many mistakes that most of us might have done in our lives was choosing a career which your best friend might have chosen or something that was trending (Engineering or doctorate). I don't want to bring what mistakes you might have made, I just want you to do a self review or self analysis. So bring out a pen and a paper and answer below questions. Take up one question at one time.

1. What are your interests or strengths? Recall your SWOT analysis which you might have done in your 20s.

2. What is it that you are passionate about?

3. What's that one thing in which no one can beat you or hard to beat?

4. What makes you happy?

5. What is that one thing you would do even without a paycheck?

You are very close to knowing your niche.

Now few examples for you.

If someone is passionate about teaching but does not have interest in reading/writing, then that's not your niche. However, if you are passionate about journalism and have interest in writing then you are on right track of choosing your niche.

So ideally your niche would be a combination of both your passion and your interest.

Coming to the difference between a passion and interest. Interest is something that would strive you to achieve your passion. 

Example your interest in singing will help you achieve your passion to become a singer.

So finally we can relate as to why finding your niche is important in cracking your interview. The career or the job you choose should be something you are passionate about and is inline with your niche. Your passion for any work will never let you fail in any interview or at any phase of life. So find out what makes you different from other people and review my questions.

Hope that you succeed in finding your niche and follow the path needed. Post your comments if you found this helpful.

Author
Shweta

Image by PIRO4D from Pixabay

5 lessons to crack your interview

With close to 10 years of professional experience, I have appeared for interviews good number of times. Some of them were really bad nonetheless I learnt from each one of them. Through my learnings and understandings I bring to you 5 lessons which can help you crack your interview.

1.   Look professional – You should be dressed well in your professionals because as soon as you will enter the interview room your first impression is already formed through the way you are dressed up.

2.      Your Body language speaks more than words – Be careful with the way you talk, sit and move. Don’t be lethargic and follow the tips of correct body language. 

3.   Know your employer – Get your homework done by exploring about the organization you are going for an interview, ask questions when asked as no question could reflect your lack of interest.

4.      Be Honest – Don’t fake your answers as you would be easily caught doing so and may end up losing an offer.

5.   Know your niche – Well yes, this is a hard one and a complete lesson in itself, but it’s very important to identify it as soon as possible in your life. Work or a career that brings you happiness and what you are passionate about is something you should choose. In my coming blogs I will bring this for you – the ways to choose or know your niche.

Each point listed above is a broad topic in itself but if taken into consideration before appearing for an interview, there is no chance of failure. Most importantly abiding to these factors will make you confident. So try out the above in your next interview.

Author
Shweta

 Image by Tumisu from Pixabay