Business
The importance of effective communication is undeniable. But, how do you know if you are actually an effective communicator? In this week's episode of the podcast, we discuss the importance of communication, how to be a good communicator, and how to solve communication problems with the people in your life. Being able to communicate effectively can help avoid miscommunications and help you get the things you truly want in life. Here are 5 keys to communicating effectively. Don't Talk, Listen You may be surprised to learn that the first key to communicating effectively is to practice good listening skills. Unfortunately, many of us don't practice good listening skills most of the time. Rather than listening and comprehending what people are saying to us so we can then process and respond appropriately, we are simply waiting for our turn to talk. When you do this, there may be repeats in the conversation, plus your conversations will never be deep or meaningful. Next time you are communicating with someone verbally, don't think about what you'll say when it's your turn to talk. Instead, focus on truly listening to the other person while they are talking. Speak Simply and Clearly When it is your turn to talk, make sure to speak simply and clearly. Use common language and don't use niche terms or abbreviations. People often use complicated words or niche terms in an effort to sound smart or sophistated, but all it really does is turn people off. Simple word choices with clear meanings are the best way to communicate effectively. Get to the Point Similarly, don't beat around the bush. Get the point quickly, but also without leaving out anything important or relevant. The best conversations are those that have the right amount of details, but not so much that they drag on and on. Especially when asking for something you want, be clear and get to the point. Use Good Body Language Another important thing to do to be an effective communicator is to use good body language and understand the body language of those with whom you are speaking. Make yourself open to the conversation rather than crossing your arms or legs or turning your body away from the conversation. Make eye contact and make an effort to seem alert and interested. Being able to read the body language of others will also help you to have a good and effective conversation. You'll be able to tell when they are becoming bored or uninterested in what you have to say. Take the Emotion Out of It The biggest flaw most people make when communicating is allowing emotion to take over. Like anything else in life, when emotions take over the conversation can take a turn for the worse. It's difficult to communicate effectively or receive a message effectively when your emotions are running high. With loved ones this can also cause one or both parties to say things they don't really mean. If you can't take the emotion out of the conversation, try coming back to the topic later. For more tips and specific examples, check out this week's podcast episode. Don't forget this is the last episode of this season. We'll be back soon to cover our new season about saving more money. In the mean time, you can check out all of our episodes so far in our podcast library. In this episode we discuss: 1:50 - How important is communication? 11:50 - Clarify! 13:20 - Have you gotten anxious from miscommunication? 14:40 - Passive aggressively agreeing to jobs or tasks 20:20 - Solving communication problems Related Links to Check Out: How to Ask for What You Want How to Say No (and Why It's Important) Find all of our episodes here!