“We speak in paragraphs, but often only a sentence is understood. Welcome to the art of conversation”
Hello and welcome! Today’s post is about a subject you might think is overrated. You might be wondering, “I already know how to do this, so why should I read further?” After all, how does a person go through life not being able to communicate? But let me pose a few questions to get your thoughts flowing; Do you find yourself having frequent misunderstandings that result in arguments? Do your words often lead to hurt feelings? How about awkward social situations that lead to missed opportunities, self-esteem issues, and trust issues? Take a gander at these relationship facts:
●64% of relationships fail due to poor communication.
●40% of infidelity is reported to be because of poor communication.
●1 out of 5 relationships fail within the first 12 months, even after having a child together.
Shocking, right? These facts highlight just how crucial communication is to our happiness and peace, yet so many of us seem to do it so poorly. I hope to help with that today. As Larry King once said, “I never learned anything while I was talking.”Keep that quote in mind. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll truly understand what those words mean.If any of this resonates with you, then stick around.
Effective communication is the backbone of healthy relationships, whether they are intimate, friendships, or business. It encompasses various aspects, including active listening, nonverbal communication, clarity and conciseness, empathy, assertiveness, feedback, and emotional intelligence. This post will be a quick and easy guide to each point, why people struggle with them, and 7 helpful tips to get better.
so lets get into it, shall we?
THE 7 SKILLS (WITH TIPS)
1.Active Listening: Think of active listening as putting on noise-cancelling headphones that filter out all distractions. When you truly focus on the speaker, you build trust and reduce misunderstandings. Plus, it’s like telling someone, “Hey, I value what you have to say more than my Instagram feed.”
“Listening is not just hearing, it’s understanding.”
Tip: Practice active listening by summarizing what the other person said before responding. This shows that you’re engaged and ensures you’ve understood their message correctly.
2.Nonverbal Communication: Ever noticed how a well-timed eyebrow raise or a nod can say more than a thousand words? Nonverbal cues convey emotions powerfully. Positive body language enhances rapport and makes your interactions more meaningful—it’s like giving your words a VIP pass.
“Actions speak louder than words.”
Tip: Maintain eye contact and use open body language to show you’re engaged and approachable. Mirror the other person’s gestures subtly to build rapport.
3.Clarity and Conciseness: Imagine trying to find your way through a dense fog. That’s what unclear communication feels like. Being clear and concise is like shining a spotlight on your message, making it easy for others to follow. Plus, it saves everyone’s time—no need to decode lengthy monologues.
“Brevity is the soul of wit.”
Tip: Before speaking, take a moment to organize your thoughts. Aim to convey your message in as few words as possible without losing clarity.
4.Empathy: Empathy is like having emotional Wi-Fi that connects you to others’ feelings. It deepens relationships and resolves conflicts by understanding different perspectives. By fostering empathy, you create a support network where everyone feels valued.
“To understand is to be human.”
Tip: Practice empathy by actively trying to put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Acknowledge their feelings and validate their experiences.
5.Assertiveness: Think of assertiveness as wearing a superhero cape. It empowers you to express your thoughts and needs directly and respectfully. Assertive communication promotes respect, prevents resentment, and boosts self-esteem—because everyone deserves to feel like a hero.
“Speak your truth with kindness.”
Tip: Use “I” statements to express your thoughts and feelings without blaming others. For example, say, “I feel concerned when deadlines are missed,” instead of “You always miss deadlines.”
6.Feedback: Feedback is like seasoning in a dish. Constructive comments enhance growth and improvement, building a culture of trust and openness. By giving and receiving feedback, you make communication more effective and your interactions more delicious.
“Feedback is the breakfast of champions.”
Tip: When giving feedback, be specific and focus on behavior rather than the person. Use the “sandwich” method: start with a positive comment, provide constructive criticism, and end with another positive comment.
7.Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence is the secret ingredient that makes every interaction smoother. It’s like having a user manual for emotions, helping you manage and express them effectively. High emotional intelligence reduces conflicts and promotes overall well-being.
“Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
Tip: Increase your emotional intelligence by regularly reflecting on your own emotions and how they affect your behavior. Practice mindfulness and stress management techniques to stay balanced.
WHY SO HARD??
I’ve given you the tips to best aid you in growing each of the 7 essential skills to communication, but i feel that it would not do much good without understanding why people fall short trying to communicate. So here they are:
●Active Listening:
Why It’s Hard: In today’s fastpaced world, distractions are everywhere. It’s tempting to multitask and let your mind wander instead of fully engaging with the speaker.
Challenge: People often think about their response while the other person is still talking, which leads to missing key points.Nonverbal
●Communication:
Why It’s Hard: Many people are unaware of their own body language and how it’s perceived by others. Plus, cultural differences can make interpreting nonverbal cues challenging.
Challenge: Nonverbal communication requires selfawareness and a conscious effort to maintain positive body language, which isn’t always second nature.
●Clarity and Conciseness:
Why It’s Hard: We often have a lot to say and want to provide detailed explanations, but this can lead to information overload.
Challenge: It’s difficult to distill thoughts into clear, concise messages without omitting important details or sounding abrupt.
●Empathy:
Why It’s Hard: It’s challenging to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, especially when you’re feeling stressed or defensive.
Challenge: Empathy requires emotional effort and vulnerability, which can be uncomfortable and exhausting.
●Assertiveness:
Why It’s Hard: Many people fear conflict or rejection, leading them to either avoid expressing their needs or come across as aggressive instead of assertive.
Challenge: Striking the balance between being assertive and respectful can be tricky, especially in highstakes or emotional situations.
●Feedback:
Why It’s Hard: Providing constructive criticism without offending someone requires tact and sensitivity. Receiving feedback can also be challenging, as it often feels like a personal attack.
Challenge: People may avoid giving or receiving feedback to sidestep potential conflicts or hurt feelings.
●Emotional Intelligence:
Why It’s Hard: Managing your emotions while recognizing and responding to others’ emotions is complex. It requires a high level of selfawareness and regulation.
Challenge: Emotional intelligence involves continuous selfreflection and improvement, which can be daunting and requires consistent effort.
To sum it all up, effective communication is like the ultimate upgrade for your relationship toolkit. Each skill, from active listening to empathy, is a vital component that enhances your interactions and builds stronger connections, thus making life easier for both you, and the people who have to deal with you. Imagine that. As always, please comment your experiences below, i hope you have enjoyed this portion and find it helpful. Cheers.
(COMING UP/ FINANCIAL EDUCATION)
