It’s really difficult to find a person who can communicate with others perfectly. We can acquire some communication skills and patterns, but they are not always efficient, and due to them, we can face numerous obstacles while cooperating with other people. We should always improve our communication as it is an indispensable part of our everyday life.
Most people become especially concerned when it comes to their professional success. If you want to be appreciated and respected by your boss and colleagues, you should learn to be a wonderful communicator. The following recommendations will make the process of communication much easier for you.
1. Look People in the Eye
It is quite natural that most people usually feel uncomfortable when looking directly into others’ eyes. Personally, I used to focus on my interlocutor’s lips while communicating.
Though I understand it’s not the best way to carry on a conversation. That’s why I try my best to make eye contact when speaking with people. Still, my attempts are not always successful.
I can see that some people feel discomfort when I look into their eyes. But in most cases, eye contact helps me to stay connected with others and feel their emotions.
2. Write Things Down
There are some people who always try to keep all the things they have to do in their heads. As for me, I don’t overload my brain with such stuff.
I think it’s better to use it for our creative thinking, which is surely more important than simple memorization of things to do. So, I would highly recommend you to write everything down. Besides, nowadays, there are so many tools available for this.
A wide range of computer technologies can be used for noting some urgent information, or simply you can write things down on paper. And what is more important, by writing with pen and paper you will manage to remember things for a long time.
More: 7 Clever Ways to Become a Better Conversationalist
3. Don’t Have More Than One Conversation at a Time
I must say that doing lots of tasks at the same time can’t be successful, especially if you communicate with people. When you try to have more than one conversation at a time, it will never be advantageous for you as people will notice your divided attention.
By trying to embrace different things simultaneously, you will miss the most valuable details that can be important for your success. It’s necessary to give all your attention and time to the person you are speaking with.
In such way, your interlocutors can feel their importance for you. Moreover, it will help you to make your conversation shorter.
4. Ask Two Questions
What is the main purpose of communication? We need to communicate with others in order to exchange some information and make things clear.
When you just utter facts and orders, you won’t be able to reach the desirable effect. People may not catch the idea of your words and major details.
Keep in mind that all the participants of a conversation must be completely involved in it. It is advisable for you to think of some relevant and provocative questions and ask the person you are talking to.
5. Assume Best Intentions
Today texting and sending e-mails to gain more and more popularity. Under these circumstances, it can be difficult to identify the tone of communication.
Very often, people misunderstand each other when sending messages. For example, your e-mail can be absolutely innocuous, but for somebody, it will seem hostile. Most people can read letters with emotions that express their attitude to the issue discussed.
Whenever you have a short conversation, you should assume only the best intentions of other people. If you had some doubts, you’d better clarify the situation on the phone.
6. Read the Whole E-mail
I was really disappointed when I discovered that there are some people who never read the whole e-mail, but only the first line. Due to this fact, their colleagues have to send them additional messages. And I must say that is a terrible waste of time.
Such irresponsibility will only create certain obstacles and prevent you from productive work. Be patient, read the entire letter, and make sure to answer all the questions.
The most important thing about e-mails is their size and meaning, and they should be short and reveal the main aspects of the issue. Otherwise, you are supposed to be ignored. In case you have a lot of questions to discuss, speaking on the phone will be the best decision for you.
More: 8 Important Reasons Why Good Spelling Still Matters
7. Make a Schedule for Responses
If you want your interaction with others to be productive and successful, you should definitely keep to a routine, planning all your actions thoroughly. Try to make a schedule for all your responses, and it will simplify your communication process. Everything will be much easier if you know the time you get a response.
As for me, I made it a rule to answer all my phone messages and e-mails within a certain period of time, and it helps me greatly. Having a schedule helps me manage my time easily. You can be sure that these habits will be appreciated by your colleagues.
8. Use Closing Remarks
Whenever I communicate with someone, it is very important for me to see the clear signs that our conversation is over. For instance, if I send a person some information, I should get a confirmation from the one that it was really received.
Sometimes my colleagues don’t write me back. I begin to think that they didn’t get my e-mail or they were not satisfied with it.
Finally, I send extra texts, and it usually bothers the receiver. But there is a wonderful solution for both parties of a conversation.
Just you need to thank a person for the e-mail and tell them you’ve got it. Neglecting these simple words, you will only show your impoliteness.
Definitely, communication plays an important part in our life. We need to know some rules and patterns to make our conversation really successful.
Are you a good communicator? If you feel any discomfort when communicating at your workplace, consider the above recommendations. Did you use any other ways to improve your communication? We’ll be glad to read your comments.
