Everything we do involves communication. And communication takes place every second of every day. Whether we're writing online, interacting with a friend, giving a speech to a huge crowd, sitting alone in a coffee shop or even thinking within our own minds, we're communicating.
Communication takes place in ways that you might not even realize are communication! We communicate through our energy even when we're "just" thinking inside our own minds. We communicate with our body language when we're sitting alone in a coffee shop. To these things, we add communication through our words, actions and feelings when we start getting involved personally with others in various ways.
These days we have so many methods of communication too! We can interact with anyone, anywhere on Skype, by texting, by chatting on Facebook, by putting our thoughts out there on our blog, by using electronic reading devices to consume information . . . and on, and on it goes! A lot of this global interaction is between different cultures with different styles and expectations for communication.
Although, it's so important and so much a part of our lives, how often do we stop to really think about our communication - - our style, our strengths and areas where we could improve? How often, in our interactions, do we think about how we could make the situation better through our communication, or how we might make it worse? Do we ever think about the other person's communication style or how they might best hear what we have to say? How often do we think beyond ourselves to our global world? Or within ourselves to our thinking and energetic communication . . . which effects our entire universe?
Lensmaster, Ener-G addresses some of these questions in her lens, Easily Improve Communication. She offers a couple of the usual methods for improving communication, but goes beyond to some deeper and more creative techniques. These techniques might help you tune in better to the person you want to speak with and create a more positive experience. Ener-G's lens is simple and organized . . . yet the deeper ideas can make a huge difference in your life. I know they have for me.
What's your favorite technique for improving your communication with others?
Visit: Simple Techniques to Improve Communication Immediately
When I was a full time shop foreman, and I need to give clear cut instructions, I usually made quick copies of highlights as reference for those who the communications were meant. I would then explain the instructions and asked to have them repeated back (based on the reference notes) so that there could be no misinterpretations.
ReplyDeleteWhat this did was put the onus of clearly stating the goals on me. I had to work at making those notes and my verbal points relevant and on task. In many ways, subordinates felt relief that every step was clear and there could be no off step between myself and them.
Lately, I've been noticing the assumptions I make when I'm communicating with someone. Sometimes I'll even say, forgive me, I assumed this, but maybe you didn't mean that at all. It opens up a whole new world of understanding when we ask ourselves if our assumptions just might be wrong. Ask people questions to come to a better understanding of what they're saying rather than interpreting through our own narrow filters and assumptions.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about that going well beyond the obvious.
ReplyDeleteAbout assumptions... they are often so deep we don't realize they're assumptions and not reality.
There were certainly some interesting ideas for better communication in this article. I bet we could all benefit with taking a moment to consider rather than the beating about of each other with words whenever there is an issue to resolve.
ReplyDeleteThere sure are a lot of communication methods out there now. My favorite current one is Skype.
ReplyDelete