Thursday, 17 July 2014

Do you hear what I'm saying, do you understand?

My photo of some members having lunch at St Helen's car park, Santon Downham, Thetford Forest. UK.
We had been dowsing Ancient Saxon burial sites and two sets of ley lines.
The body language and interaction between the two groups of three are very apparent to me.
I'm wearing the hat - as is usual :)

Interacting With Others - Basic Communication
Tracey Fieber

With much of our daily life involving interactions with other people, it's surprising how few individuals actually comprehend the core concepts of good communication.
Interactions between people can be superficial occurrences with neither party gaining anything,
or they can create a sturdy connection where bonds are established and a mutual understanding
of the participants' thoughts is promoted.
In order to get the most out of the interactions you face on a daily basis,
it is crucial that you can grasp the core communication skills needed to truly connect with others.
If you want to improve the way you relate with others, here are three basic communication skills
you should work on:

1. Be A Good Listener
Being a good listener is the building block to establishing healthy communication.
Often times, people get so wrapped up with their opinions and concerns that they completely neglect those of the person they're speaking with.
Active listening involves truly understanding what you're being told and repeating back the core ideas 
to ensure that you're on the same page with the person speaking.
Not only will this improve the comprehension you have of your conversational partner's mindset, 
but will also help forge a deeper bond between the two of you.
M’reen> I’ve recently been to a business network meeting where a new person came in and covered 
the area with his leaflets and proceeded to have in depth conversations – or were they sale pitches 
to individuals and groups in the room. He probably had a very successful meeting 
not realising that he was simply ‘fresh meat’ that may prove to be useful 
no matter how overbearing and uninterested he was in the other participants.

2. Understand Body Language
While experts argue on the amount of conversation which is done through non-verbal cues,
there is no doubt that body language plays an important role in getting to the bottom of someone's intentions. From obvious signals such as crossed arms (which hint that the person you're speaking with is closed-off or not open to new suggestions) to the way that their feet are pointed (someone sitting 
or standing with their feet pointed towards the door might be looking to make a quick exit 
from your conversation), knowing the underlying meaning of body language will help you greatly 
as you network and deal with others.
M’reen> at the same meeting I joined three people, the middle one of the triangle I didn’t know
so I stood closer to the person on my right who accused me of invading his personal space!

3. Watch Your Tone
Tone of voice is one of the most basic communication skills to understand, and can be an invaluable asset when speaking. Conversing in a loud, low tone shows confidence on the part of the speaker, 
while talking softly or in a high-pitched manner exerts shyness or a lack of confidence in what is being said. The speed at which you speak can also make a difference in how you're interpreted. 
Speaking slowly gives your words the opportunity to sink in, whereas rushing through
your sentences can make you appear less comfortable in the situation and may make it difficult
for the person you're speaking to comprehend what you're telling them - with the end result likely being their loss of interest.
M’reen> I simply can’t hear people with low voices. On my Bereavement Counselling training we were supposed to give all the body language signs of being inattentive but the person explaining his needs 
to me felt that I was paying intent attention as I couldn’t help giving him little sharp glances. 
While sharp glances are not recommended he just needed confirmation that I was listening.

Interacting with others is an occurrence that most people face on a daily basis, both for work
and for pleasure. Whether it is a client at the office or a family member at home, understanding
the basics of communication will allow you to convey your thoughts better while gaining a more intimate comprehension of what others are trying to tell you (or sometimes even what they're attempting to hide). By listening, looking out for body language signals and effectively conveying your thoughts through 
your words and tone, you can easily and vastly improve the quality of your daily interactions with others.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tracey_Fieber

Perhaps you’d like to check out my sister blogs:
www.innermindworking.blogspot.com            gives many ways for you to work with the stresses of life
www.turbochargedreading.blogspot.com       describes the steps to reading in the way your mind prefers
www.happyartaccidents.blogspot.com          just for fun

To quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn; the more places you'll go.”


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