Say without saying: 8 keys to communicate better
We are immersed in the so-called "age of communication" . Technology advances by leaps and bounds to try to respond to our communicative demands and we find more and more devices that facilitate this work: smartphones, computers, tablets, ...
Every day we have more resources to get a message to other people, but despite all the technological help, properly transmit a message is not an easy task. Communicating better becomes increasingly confusing before so many technological channels through which to express themselves.
Let us think for a moment of health professionals, psychologists, policemen, judicial workers or people working with disadvantaged groups who, on some occasion, in the development of their profession, may be forced to communicate information that is not easy to transfer to other people . Would they be able to convey a message without leaving part of themselves in it? Or, even more important, what would happen if you only pay attention to the message and they will not value the other elements of the communication?
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Communication is more than words
Communicate is more than saying something , it implies much more than mere words. Whether we are aware of it or not, not only is the message we want to transmit relevant, but also the way in which we transmit that message. Communicating includes several actions at once: closeness, ability to listen, empathy and understanding.
The communication specialist makes use of his body language to help the message reach the recipient properly, and it is these corporal resources that give an adequate sense and importance to the speech.
On the one hand, we have nonverbal language (speaking position, movements while speaking, facial expression and eye contact, among many other elements) and, on the other hand, we have the paraverbal elements of language (intonation of the voice, pauses or emphasis when speaking, rhythm with which we pronounce our speech, silences, timbre and volume of the voice, etc.) that favor the expression of our attitude, feelings and emotions about it.
The paraverbal communication motivates the receiver and helps him to be attentive to the speech, allowing, in this way, that he / she processes the information and favoring the change of turn in the speakers.
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Tips to communicate better
To improve your communication skills , then, you must bear in mind that communication is much more than what you say through words. These are some keys that will help you to progress.
1. Maintain a relaxed and relaxed posture
When we are tense the person who should receive the message he perceives it and responds to our state by putting himself on alert . To do this, throw the shoulders back, do not cross the arms (usually aggressive for the receiver), look into the eyes and, above all, show a friendly smile, help relax the environment.
2. Listen
Equally important is the message that should be conveyed, are the feelings and concerns that this generates in the person who listens. If we do not allow the receiver to express himself, the communication deteriorates. Make the other person feel understood , listened to and valid.
3. Use a soft and deliberate tone of voice
Above all, before difficult news or that can generate violent reactions, it is essential to maintain a calm tone of voice and soft, that facilitates communication and helps the other person to calm down and listen to the rest of the message.
4. Be concrete, honest and sincere
Do not detour to transmit information, the recipient perceives the reluctance to give the message and increases their concern, making communication difficult. If the receiver perceives that you transmit the information directly and sincerely will appreciate the gesture.
5. Do not judge
It is essential that the receiver does not feel judged during the speech, use your words carefully and nonverbal and paraverbal language. Improving communication also means making it more fluid, and this key will help you eliminate barriers.
6. Ask if you do not understand
The quality of the discourse depends on knowing what is being asked of us. Likewise, it is fundamental to allow us to recognize that there are times that we will not be able to give a correct or adequate answer because it escapes our control or knowledge. This also helps us to show an image of closeness that favors communication.
7. Evaluate your feelings
When we are forced to give a message that we do not agree with or that generates discomfort, we transmit these feelings to the receiver, being able to transfer these emotions to him.
8. Highlights positive aspects
Highlight favorable aspects and, above all, finish the speech with these aspects , helps to empower the receiver to face the situation in which he finds himself.
The same message, millions of possibilities
The same message it can have an infinity of different meanings When we transmit it, we are giving it a part of us. Each message carries with it a personal stamp inherent to the person who transmits it and who does it, who becomes unique in the hands of different people.
If we return to the example of professionals who are faced with the difficult task of transmitting sensitive information to other people, we can come to understand the importance of good communication and the imperative that the issuer takes care of the non-verbal aspects of their communication, so that they accompany and enrich the message that is being transmitted.
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