Everything Comes Together When Communication Works
By Sandy Schroeder
If you feel frustrated when you talk with your co-workers, family, or friends, you may need to sharpen your communication skills. When you are both listening and responding clearly, things get done. When there are snags, we may need some help.
The Mayo Clinic has some tips to improve your interactions with everyone and make solid connections.
When we act impulsively, fail to listen and forget to consider everyone's feelings, relationships can weaken, families can suffer and jobs can be harder. Before things reach that stage, take a look at the Mayo Clinic's communication tips.
Learn as you go - Start with honesty and openness and focus on empathy and mindfulness to interact positively to create warm, open exchanges that lead to better relationships.
Listen more - Lean forward and concentrate when someone is speaking. Try to understand who they are and what they want. Don't interrupt or race ahead without considering their ideas. Instead, ask questions and reflect on their thoughts, emotions and ideas. Then they may be more receptive to your ideas.
Try to understand - Consider each conversation to be important and try to offer positive feedback and perceptive questions to create solutions and reassure the other person that he has been heard.
Stay tuned in - Too often we slip into an autopilot mode when we are speaking with family, co-workers or friends. Stay focused and make each conversation meaningful.
Be direct but diplomatic - Choose your words carefully and stay positive when you are working through difficult situations. Keep an open mind and look for every possible solutions so that you come away with agreements that please everyone.
Learn to read visual and verbal cues - Changes of tone and pace or frowns and head-shaking can help you slow down and change tactics.
Keep your sense of humor - When we relax and laugh a little, everything gets easier. Tensions float away and people find it easier to relate. I have a friend who always comes into a meeting with a smile. He knows how to relate to people and maximize interactions.
Learn by watching - Listen and watch as you see people interacting. Gradually you will know by the tone of voice and visual cues when interactions are working or not. You will spot good techniques and smart approaches.
Wherever you are with your interactions with the world, give it your best. Be honest, open minded and considerate of others to get the best results.
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