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Here are six tips for improving your communication style:
1. Knowing how to improve communication skills will come easier
once you become aware of your own communication style.
Each person has a unique way of communicating. Listen to your
own speech. What sorts of words do you use? Which sort of body
language and what tone of voice are you using?
Now, think of someone who, in your opinion, is a good
communicator. Compare your style to theirs. You've just taken an
important first step in how to improve communication skills.
2. Now that you are aware of your own style, study the style of
those around you. How do the most important people in your life
converse? How do they say things? Look for approaches you can
model and make your own.
3. Adjust to the other styles of communication. Don't think it
is too late to change your way of conversing because it's been
years. You had to learn to communicate in the first place and
you can unlearn certain behaviors or change them. Sometimes we
get stuck in a communication rut.
A father once was having a hard time with his teenaged daughter.
She was growing and he thought she didn't tell him what was
going on in her life. They were in a heated discussion when he
asked, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Her answer was that she had, but he was too busy lecturing her
to hear her. He learned that adjusting his style to his daughter
would involve listening first before jumping right into solving
the problem.
4. To build rapport, during a conversation try and match the
other person's movements, posture and verbal style. Don't do
everything they do, but mirror one or two things. For example,
if the person gives mostly short answers to questions, you
follow suit.
Or, maybe they talk at a slower pace than you usually do-slow
your speaking speed to match theirs. This may sound simplistic
but it is a very potent way to make someone feel very relaxed
and comfortable in your presence.
5. The way you communicate at home may not be the same as in a
different environment. Make sure you change your style to suit
the different setting. Some comments you might want to tell your
best friend, in private.
Other things can be shared in a group setting. Learn how to
improve communication skills by altering your style for the
appropriate setting. Many of us know someone who offers far too
much information in a group setting.
6. Don't criticize others for communicating differently. If we
all communicated in the same way, we'd soon be bored with each
other.
Getting a good grasp of your communication style and finding
ways to accommodate other peoples' styles, is a good way to
improve your communication skills.
About the author:
Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced
a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing
Communication Confidence. Apply now because it is available only
at: how to
communicate
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