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Tags: self improvement, techniques, effective communication skills
 I read somewhere that "we hear only half of what is said to us, understand only half of that, believe only half of that, and remember only half of that." That's why we need effective communication because we have an idea, a thought or feeling that we need to share with others. Effective communication is needed not only to relay the message successfully, but also to build
relationships, to share information, not to be misunderstood, etc.
Here are some tips on how to develop effective communication skills:
1) Recognize the ideas, thoughts, and feelings first. Effective communication is about speaking, listening, and body language.
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When someone is talking, show your interest by listening carefully, and using nods, comments and some "uh-huhs" to show that you acknowledge the speaker's thoughts and that you're a good listener.
2) Try asking open-ended questions. If ever you get distracted or get lost in a conversation, ask for interpretation of what's being talked about. Asking open-ended questions is helpful in communicating. Ask questions with "how", "describe" "please explain further", or "why".
3) Paraphrase it. Paraphrasing, or reflection, is repeating what the speaker has said in your own words, sans adding anything not there in what's being said. This technique clarifies the flow of communication more and allows the other party know that you're trying to comprehend what's being talked about.
4) Offer your own opinion.
But first, pause for a moment and approach with caution. Just don't push it if the speaker is not open-minded to it.
All in all effective communication is about continuously developing and keep practicing your dialogue skills by listening more and observe what happens--and talking less.
About the author
The author of this article, Amy Twain, is a Self Improvement Coach who has been successfully coaching and guiding clients for many years. Let Amy show you the advantage of being In Control of your Actions. Grab a copy of her eBook and Be an Expert in the Science of Body Language.
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