Effective communication: 24 keys of the great communicators
The language and the ability to bond and share knowledge are fundamental aspects for coexistence and even for the mental and physical health of the human being.
Communicating is essential and allows us to interact with our peers and even with other animal species. In our daily life we do not stop doing it, since every act or even its absence is communicative.
But we must ask ourselves: are we capable of communicating effectively? In this article we offer you a series of 24 keys of the great communicators when establishing an effective communication .
Know how to express yourself and make yourself understood
Communicate involves the exchange of information between two or more subjects by using various codes through which they can transmit.
But doing it effectively does not only imply that a subject A issues a message to a subject B. For communication to be effective, it is necessary to establish a climate of understanding and mutual respect in which both interlocutors in which the message is transmitted clearly, concisely and unambiguously, the content of the message being coherent with the attitude present in the communication.
It is essential that the act allows that both components can express themselves and be listened to actively , as well as maintaining a language adjusted to the capacities of both subjects.
We are immersed in an increasingly individualistic society, which hinders the effectiveness of communication. People tend to express themselves continuously without leaving space for others to answer and without really listening to what the other has to say, in addition to making frequent the use of ambivalences and ambiguities that can lead to different interpretations.
24 keys for effective communication
Below you can find a series of aspects to take into account in order to establish effective communication.
1. Maintain eye contact
The look is a fundamental element in the communicative act, because it is highly expressive. Sustaining it in a natural and unforced way supposes a show of interest towards what they are saying or towards our interlocutor. The listener feels more easily that he is being attended to and accepted as part of the communicative act. A look that avoids eye contact can imply lack of interest, confidence or even lying in the act of communication.
2. Use a tone of voice appropriate to the context
The tone of voice is also an important element to achieve effective communication. The appropriate tone will depend on the type of communication that is established, the content of the message or the situation in which it is. In general it is recommended a tone of voice without deep ups and downs .
- Related article: "The 10 pillars for a perfect non-verbal communication"
3. That your body supports your message
The gestural and postural communication say much more than most people seem to think. According to the nonverbal language that we use, we can be supporting or even contradicting the verbal message, with which they can give themselves to different interpretations. Our posture and gestures must accompany the message transmitted and even enrich it.
4. Listen actively
A common mistake that many people make today is that we tend to talk without listening to what the other says, as if they were waiting to continue their conversation without the other's response having importance. With this the other may feel unattended and in turn may cease the interest in maintaining the communicative act.
- Maybe you're interested: "Active listening: the key to communicating with others"
5. Respect the other's opinion
We can have a very specific position regarding a specific topic, but this does not have to coincide with that of our interlocutors. If we want a communication to be effective it is necessary to be able to unconditionally accept the possibility of finding divergent positions and respect them even though we do not share them , however far from their own they may be.
6. Clear message
It is important that our message be clear and concise, using an understandable vocabulary that is not ambiguous. Otherwise, it can lead to multiple interpretations that hinder the objectives pursued in the communicative act.
7. Language adjusted to the reality of the interlocutor
If we want to be efficient in our communication, it is necessary to take into account that not all of our audience will have the same educational level , knowledge, vocabulary or even ability to understand. It is necessary to adjust the type of language used to the reality of the audience in question.
8. Use of empathy
Connect and establish a positive rapport with our interlocutor is essential if we want to establish a correct climate that facilitates mutual understanding and fluency in communication.
- Related article: "The Rapport: 5 keys to create an environment of trust"
9. Do not use corseted messages
When communicating It is easy to pull stereotypes and formulas already known . While formalism may be necessary on some occasions, the use of typed messages usually offers a cold and impersonal perspective of communication that diminishes real interest and leads the listener to think about the purpose of the message sender.
We must also bear in mind that although it is good to have possible questions, we must be able to give our discourse a certain spontaneity that makes it look authentic.
10. Take into account the context
It is not the same to be in a conference, at a wedding or at a funeral. The message must fit not only the subject and its vital reality but also take into account the environment in which the communicative exchange takes place .
11. Act with assertiveness
During the communicative exchange we must try not to subjugate the interlocutors and impose our will independently of their opinion, nor to let ourselves be dragged by the others. We must be able to defend our position completely respecting the opinion of the other.
12. Coherence
If we want our communication to be effective, it is useful to focus on aspects that the other can understand without having to interpret excessively and without the meaning of the message varying from one moment to another. The coherence in the speech It is essential.
13. Question and paraphrase
That our interlocutor perceives interest on our part is a relevant aspect when establishing an effective communication. Questioning shows that we are listening to you and allows us to finish understanding or make the other understand the parts of the message that are not clear. To paraphrase serves to make us see that we are listening while allowing to organize the fundamental parts of the discourse.
14. Respect word shifts
An act of communication is established between two or more people. If we are talking about an oral communication, it is necessary that all those involved commit themselves to respect each other's speaking time without interrupting continuously the other's message
15. Anticipate possible answers
In many cases, those who receive the message will have doubts and questions, or different events may occur during the communicative act. Anticipate this possibility and have prepared an action plan or some possible response will help to endow the message with greater security and effectiveness.
16. Do not just give orders
Effective communication is carried out with respect and education with respect to the person receiving the communication. If the transmission of information is carried out in an authoritative manner, it can be seen as punitive and generate rejection and reactance.
17. Emotional self-management
It is common during communication different sensations, emotions and feelings emerge . While it is beneficial that they can come to light and can even improve effectiveness by increasing understanding between the interlocutors, we should not let them go to the extreme and prevent us from exchanging information or preventing the achievement of the communication objective.
18. Have an objective and make it clear honestly
If we intend to have an efficient communication, it is fundamental to be clear about what is intended with it, as well as to be able to transmit it and argue so that communication can facilitate its achievement. It is highly recommended be honest and authentic , without pretending to manipulate the other.
19. The themes, one by one
Starting with a theme to then vary others and then return to the original can be effective at some time, but if it is not something very planned as a general rule tends to confuse the listener about the issue that is being addressed. It would be useful treat the topics neatly in order to maintain the internal coherence of the discourse.
20. Avoid generalities and rodeos
A clear and concise message arrives before the recipient and can be more efficient than long detours on a topic before reaching the real goal.
21. Try to focus communication positively
Regardless of the type of message that is transmitted, those communications that arise and elaborate concepts tend to be much more efficient and well accepted. from a positive and constructive perspective.
22. Do not lengthen the communication excessively
Although a long and elaborate speech can be attractive in order to communicate a large number of ideas, we must take into account that people have a certain attention capacity and that the longer an argument is, the more likely it is that information will be lost along the way. Short speeches that make clear the different key arguments tend to be much more effective.
23. Motivate
Keeping people motivated is essential, and helps both to maintain interest in the exchange and to produce some kind of positive result. Giving space for our interlocutor to express their doubts, encourage their expression and answer them can be highly motivating, as well as the focus given to the message.
24. Integrate and be open to add or consider other people's points of view
It is important that no matter how much you try to defend a certain idea, you take into account the points of view of others.To make the speech more efficient it is advisable to spontaneously use some of the elements that other people have added and discuss them.
This on the one hand makes it be observed that the contributions of others are taken into account , while on the other it can reinforce or refine the message that is intended to be transmitted.
