Tips to Improve Communications Skills
When communicating, avoid generalizations like: "NEVER", "ALWAYS", "NOBODY", "EVERYBODY".
- Describe the facts of a situation rather than being judgmental, exaggerating, or making assumptions.
- Don't assume that people can read your mind or know how you feel.
- Listen with your full attention when someone is talking to you.
- Know your audience (primary and secondary) and your relations with the other person.
- Own your feelings by using**"I" Messages.**
I message
"I" messages are a positive way to express an intense emotion. They allow you to express to someone, your need for them to change their behavior, without blaming them or putting them down. "I" Messages create a positive atmosphere for communication and problem solving
"I" messages allow YOU to gain awareness of, and take ownership over YOUR FEELINGS...while making the other person aware of how you're feeling\ "I" messages focus on the other person's ACTIONS AND BEHAVIORS, by explaining how what they're doing affects you... as opposed to attacking the other person's character or passing judgement on who they are as a person\ "I" messages are DIRECT and SOLUTION-FOCUSED, creating a positive atmosphere for communication and problem solving.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE OF COMMUNICATION?
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
TONE OF VOICE\ PACING/SPEED\ FACIAL EXPRESSIONS/EYE CONTACT\ BODY LANGUAGE/GESTURES\ SPACE/PROXIMITY\ APPEARANCE/PERSONAL HYGIENE
ROADBLOCKS TO COMMUNICATION
ASSUMING
BLAMING
CRITICIZING/JUDGING
EXAGGERATING
INTERRUPTING
LECTURING
NAME-CALLING
OVER-ANALYZING
SARCASMS
PREADING RUMORS/GOSSIPING