TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Shared from:

http://blog.readytomanage.com/category/communication/

Characteristics of Effective Communication

February 14, 2013 by Dr. Jon Warner

‘Good’ communication to be planned and work at.  Think about what to achieve with the conversation in advance.  Conversation can get off the track and what you are trying to get across can be easily misunderstood.  Developing a clear idea of what to achieve and how to go about it is the foundation of good face-to-face communication.

A lot of what could have been good conversations are killed by the discussion becoming increasingly one sided.  You need to stay focused, be clear and succinct with what you are saying, to be a good communicator.  Most critically you should check often that the other person has understood what you’ve been saying.  Even more importantly you should focus on listening as well as speaking so that you remain fully engaged and are having a conversation.  When we don’t listen to the other person, we are shutting them out.

People who have more extroverted preferences in particular can often appear not to be listening and to be only interested in their own agendas.

 

Tips for effective communication for the conversation initiator:

• Plan core message carefully
• Consider how the message should best be tailored and delivered to intended audience/receiver
• Be clear, concrete and concise when making points
• Leave time/space for responses from the receiver
• Respond to the receiver’s questions clearly and without getting side-tracked

 

Tips for effective communication for the conversation responder

• Listen to the full message communicated
• Avoid looking bored, uninterested or judgmental
• Do not avoiding eye contact or display distracting mannerisms
• Demonstrate warmth and empathy and ask questions to clarify understanding wherever you need
• Paraphrase and summarize to check that understanding is on track
• Ask the message sender to stay on track when the conversation is wandering