Communication is about more than just
exchanging information. It's about understanding the emotion and intentions
behind the information. Effective communication is also a two-way street. It’s
not only how you convey a message so that it is received and understood by
someone in exactly the way you intended, it’s also how you listen to gain the
full meaning of what’s being said and to make the other person feel heard and
understood.
More than just the words you use, effective
communication combines a set of skills including nonverbal communication,
engaged listening, managing stress in the moment, the ability to communicate
assertively, and the capacity to recognize and understand your own emotions and
those of the person you’re communicating with.
Effective communication is the glue that helps
you deepen your connections to others and improve teamwork, decision making,
and problem solving. It enables you to communicate even negative or difficult
messages without creating conflict or destroying trust.
While effective communication is a learned
skill, it is more effective when it’s spontaneous rather than formulaic. A
speech that is read, for example, rarely has the same impact as a speech that’s
delivered (or appears to be delivered) spontaneously. Of course, it takes time
and effort to develop these skills and become an effective communicator. The
more effort and practice you put in, the more instinctive and spontaneous your
communication skills will become.
Barriers to effective
interpersonal communication
Stress and out-of-control
emotion.
When you’re stressed or emotionally overwhelmed, you’re more likely to misread other people, send confusing or off-putting nonverbal signals, and lapse into unhealthy knee-jerk patterns of behavior. Take a moment to calm down before continuing a conversation.
Lack of focus.
You can’t communicate effectively when you’re multitasking. If you’re planning what you’re going to say next, daydreaming, checking text messages, or thinking about something else, you’re almost certain to miss nonverbal cues in the conversation. You need to stay focused on the moment-to-moment experience.
Inconsistent body language.
Nonverbal communication should reinforce what is being said, not contradict it. If you say one thing, but your body language says something else, your listener will likely feel you’re being dishonest. For example, you can’t say “yes” while shaking your head no.
Negative body language.
If you disagree with or dislike what’s being said, you may use negative body language to rebuff the other person’s message, such as crossing your arms, avoiding eye contact, or tapping your feet. You don’t have to agree, or even like what’s being said, but to communicate effectively without making the other person defensive, it’s important to avoid sending negative signals
When you’re stressed or emotionally overwhelmed, you’re more likely to misread other people, send confusing or off-putting nonverbal signals, and lapse into unhealthy knee-jerk patterns of behavior. Take a moment to calm down before continuing a conversation.
Lack of focus.
You can’t communicate effectively when you’re multitasking. If you’re planning what you’re going to say next, daydreaming, checking text messages, or thinking about something else, you’re almost certain to miss nonverbal cues in the conversation. You need to stay focused on the moment-to-moment experience.
Inconsistent body language.
Nonverbal communication should reinforce what is being said, not contradict it. If you say one thing, but your body language says something else, your listener will likely feel you’re being dishonest. For example, you can’t say “yes” while shaking your head no.
Negative body language.
If you disagree with or dislike what’s being said, you may use negative body language to rebuff the other person’s message, such as crossing your arms, avoiding eye contact, or tapping your feet. You don’t have to agree, or even like what’s being said, but to communicate effectively without making the other person defensive, it’s important to avoid sending negative signals
BY PROTAS LEVINA BAPRM 42657
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