Effective Communication Skills

One of the biggest things that people need to focus on in this life is communication skill. Without proper communication skill, one is still able to do many things, but they will be destined to do everything alone.

Some people might consider being alone to be a great blessing, but these people tend to be misanthropes - those people that detest others, such as the great Sherlock Holmes’s brother - or perhaps they are too shy and conversing with others is painful and scary for them. But often people want to foster a better communication skill for everything they do: waking up, eating breakfast, communication in relationship, playing poker or hearts, bowling, football, and of course popsicle licking. Communication is an essential part of popsicle licking.

The fact is that it is extremely important to have communication skill. This is the reason why there have been so many books on communication. Books on communication come in all shapes in sizes, from How to Win Friends and Influence People, to Communication in Relationship For Dummies. Of course just reading books on communication will help somewhat, but invariably what one needs to increase their communication skill is to get out into the real world and practice.

I’ve found that the best place to practice the art of conversing is some place where people always gather. Some place such as the super market, the hardware store, or perhaps a library.

One should choose one’s community library in which to practice. Not only do they have people there, but if you start to find yourself unsure of how to properly communicate to someone the sentiment: I think you’re pleasant to look at and will most likely be fun to enjoy a pleasant conversation with on the subject of dried plums & apricots, you can always go check out one of their many books on communication for help.

One of the books on communication is sure to tell you that when saying ‘hello’ to somebody you wish to converse with, it is important to have friendly facial gestures. Proper communication skill dictates that one should have most likely a smile, or a nice simple half-smile on one’s face when saying hello.

However not all smiles are equal. If you smile like either The Joker from Batman or the Cheshire cat, your communication skill practice will most likely end at ‘hello’, and your communication will then (most likely) be followed by the other person practicing their ‘cease communication skill’ mainly the ignore technique. If this happens to you, simply give up, walk away and try another person.

Once you succeed in getting a response to your attempts to open communication, simply follow up your hello by telling them what your name is, hobbies you’re interested in, and perhaps how you feel it is important to cut your toenails every 2 weeks, no more, no less. Be sure to ask the person you’re talking to many different questions. People liked to be asked questions about their life. Subjects such as cheese or your opinion on NASA are generally good topics to stick to while practicing your communication skill. Be sure to steer the topic away from any felonies you’ve committed in the past. Although 99% people have committed felonies, typically they don’t wish to discuss said felonies. To do so would be considered bragging, which is a big ‘no-no’ in the world of communication skill.

by Christian Farmer

Christian Farmer is a content writer for 10xMarketing for more information visit VitalSmarts.

What Are communication skills? And Why Do You Ask…?

When people ask, “What are communication skills?” they often don’t understand the many elements that make up communication. They know that writing and speaking is communication, but they don’t understand the role perceptions and experience play in the process. They also are unaware of the many nonverbal clues that are transmitted during a conversation.

Perceptions result from life experiences. How you react to a message depends on your perception of the meaning in the message. Good communication skills include an awareness of how the receiver might be interpreting your message. Other communication skills include the following.

* Being a good listener during a conversation
* Asking questions for clarification
* Restating the information
* Giving feedback
* Using tact in a non-argumentative manner
* Body language including posture
* Using good eye contact
* Respecting personal space
* Awareness of cultural differences
* Offering praise
* Using humor
* Developing good written skills

An important component of developing effective communication skills is self-image. How you see yourself affects the kind of communication style you develop. For example, if you are called shy all your life you will probably develop a passive style. To enhance communication skills means being more aware of yourself as a communicator.

Business leaders are aware of the impact of communication skills on employee performance and productivity. A company that wants to maximize profits will be attuned to the need for open communication channels and good employee communication skills. Organizations are in constant change as they adapt to rapidly changing markets. As a result, managers must not only encourage employee communication, they must be adept at communicating change.

Organizational change is never easy, but the process is greatly simplified through clear and concise communication.

* Identify the exact changes to be made and construct explanation that can be properly conveyed
* Involve all the appropriate people in the change process
* Communicate progress regularly with employees
* Establish a realistic timeline
* Create new communication paths when necessary
* Utilized technology to streamline communication paths
* Allow employee input

Communicating change does not have to be traumatic for employees if the manager prepares for the change and shares appropriate information. Embracing change can be exciting as a company moves forward into the future. Asking the question, “What are communication skills?” may very well yield the answer, “It’s an important part of change!”

by Raymond James

Mr Raymond James owns and operates http://www.communication-skills-ideas.com

Three Categories Of Human Communication

Your words and behavior tell people a lot about you. Exactly what are your words and behaviors indicating about you? Human communication and behavior fall into three basic categories:

Passiveness; Aggressiveness; Assertiveness.

Passiveness is a reluctance or inability to confidently express what you think and feel. In the past, our society rewarded women for being passive and men for being aggressive. But as gender roles change and women voice their concerns openly, this is changing. Men or women can be passive in their approach to communication.

Aggressive communication and behavior, whether direct or indirect, results in a put-down of the other person, making her feel hurt, defensive and humiliated. Aggressive behavior does not take the other person’s goals or feelings into account. Only the aggressor’s goals are met. This often generates bitterness and frustration that later returns as resistance and dissension. Think of a time when someone used aggressive communication at the expense of another person. How would you feel about approaching such a person? Aggression intimidates, demeans and degrades another person. Just as in passivity, men or women can be aggressive communicators.

Assertiveness is an alternative to the extremes of passiveness and aggressiveness. It is being confident in expressing what you think, feel and believe, standing up for your rights while respecting the rights of others. Assertion is rooted in respect: respect for yourself and for the other person. People tend to cooperate when they are approached or advised in a way that respects the needs of both parties. Assertive communication frequently allows both persons to get what they want.

Assertive communication is what healthy communication is based on. Relationship, whether personal or professional, should strive to be good communicators using assertiveness in healthy ways.

Sandra L. Brown
Psychotherapist & Author
www.HowToSpotADangerousMan.com

This article is free to use as long as the article is used as is, the BIO line is left in tack and the URL is included.

by Sandra L. Brown, M.A

Sandra L. Brown, M.A. is a psychotherapist & author who specializes in relationships and reducing dangerous interactions, including in the workplace. www.SafeRelationships.com, www.HowToSpotADangerousMan.com, wwww.WomenWhoLovePsychopaths.com

Every part of our business and life requires negotiation skills. The ability to negotiate will increase our successes, open up opportunities, and improve relationships.

Negotiating skills are not part of this country’s formal education, though negotiation is used more often than math skills, every day. These skills create the core of our professional and personal lives.

The importance of negotiation is drastically underestimated in today’s work world. Strong negotiation skills are needed to succeed in life.

What is Negotiation?

There are three parts to negotiation: communication style, personality type, goals. Each of these elements need to be balanced between the two people negotiating before anyone can manipulate a desirable outcome.

Negotiating is simply “working with other to achieve some beneficial result.” It is one of those skills that takes a few hours to learn and a lifetime to master. It is not a genetic trait we’re born with, like athletic or artistic ability. No matter what education level or social position, the negotiation skills are not beyond your capabilities.

It just takes time, a little education, attention to honing our skills, and your life will be better.

Negotiation is not the art of manipulating another person. Negotiation is a type of collaboration, even if you need to convince the other person that it is in their best interest to work together. Manipulation is forcing your goals and opinions on another person.

Communication Styles

There are four communication styles. Each of these are combined with four personality groups. The communication style is their ability to articulate their wants and needs.

A good communicator can identify a person’s personality type and communication style. The communication style a negotiator uses does not necessarily match the audience’s, but the audience will find it familiar and be comfortable using it.

Some communication styles are directly to the point, void of facts. Others layout the facts, letting the audience come to their own opinion before the negotiator offers their opinion or goal. Using the wrong communication style can make the audience feel like they are being ’sold’ or coerced.

Personality Type

The personality type determines what the audience considers a strong enough motivation to change their plans work with you. The negotiator will use the audience’s values and goals to speak using a language, motives, goals, and values their audience will find appealing.

The audience’s personality type will also determine how long the presentation is, and what props the negotiator uses. An artistic person will like to see slides. A driver personality will want facts and figures they can take away with them.

Goals
The expert negotiator does not focus on their goals, but the audience’s goals. The art of negotiating is making the audience believe that they are coming out on top of the agreement, without the negotiator begging or selling.

Goals are often motivated by people’s desire for relationships, building wealth, improving security, feeling good about yourself, and achieving a socially ‘higher’ goal. A negotiator will use these goals to ’speak’ to the audience and help them reach their goals by reaching their own goals.

Objective

Negotiating is not a forceful encounter. Act collaboratively, not competitively. It is not “me against you.” The other person is a bargaining partner. Everyone must come away with a benefit, or the party who has nothing to loose will leave. This is seen when men fall in love. The court a woman until she marries them, treating her as the object of their love, instead of an equal partner who must continually be courted. We see this in business when one company merges with another, and then guts the minor company, leaving the remaining workers feeling wounded.

It is a big mistake to think you can use negotiations to get something for nothing. When negotiating, present your case as if both parties are on equal ground. Everyone can succeed at negotiating if they make “Mutual Benefit” their mantra.

Summary

There are many places to learn how to negotiate, about communication styles, and personality styles. Learning to listen can also give you an edge. Pro negotiators spend more time listening instead of talking. They do not cut-their-own-throats by cutting off the audience why their ideas and goals are wrong, or poorly motivated. They do not finish the audience’s sentences. And, in the end, they earn the audience’s trust, the first goal of any pro negotiator.
by Mark Walters

Mark Walters is a third generation entrepreneur and author. He offers free training and investing videos designed to speed you towards financial independence at http://www.cashflowinstitute1.com/Articles.html

Communication is one of the most important qualities for success. To communicate is not simple. We think that to speak and to hear is communication. But it is much more than that. When you listen to somebody, ask yourself these questions - are you totally attentive to him/her? Are you attentive to the tone of voice? Are you keeping eye contact? Do you observe the body language? Are you giving responses in between so that the speaker knows that you rare listening? Are you getting the hidden meaning behind the communication? In brief, are you getting precisely what the other person is saying?
What about your speech? What kind of tone do you adopt? What is the speed of your speech? Are you using the correct words? How are you coordinating your body language with your words? Are you getting the attention of your listener? Are you able to convey what you want to? Are you sure that the listener is getting your message?
Many of us are poor communicators. We don’t know how to talk and listen effectively. We fail to draw the listener’s attention towards our self. We fail to listen fully. There lies our failure in many business and personal situations.
Please test your communication style. Talk to few of your friends and ask them questions about your style. Note what they say very carefully and bring changes. Talk to them again after few days and reassess yourself. Keep improving. Notice the best speakers on television. Watch their body movements and tonality of voice. Observe them carefully. Good communication will bring unbelievable success to you. To learn more about communication and how to improve it, please try these quizzes - What is your communication style?, Are you boring? and Do you criticize others too much?
by CD Mohatta
CD Mohatta writes for personality tests and quizzes, business and career tests and quizzesand love and dating quizzes.