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