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COMMUNICATION SKILLS-
So important to our success, yet so difficult to master
From Legal Network News
How many times have you heard an applicant say, or seen a resume that read, "I have great communication skills"? I have met very few people who have "great" communication skills. The last person I heard who, in my opinion, has great communication skills was Colin Powell at last year's Society of Human Resource Managements conference, in terms of a verbal presentation.
What can we do to improve this skill? Really, it is not as hard as you think, but it takes focus and practice. Remember, the definition of communication, according to Webster, is the exchange of thoughts, messages, or the like by means of speech, signals, or writing. No wonder it is so easy to send mixed signals.
The typical communication model is simple: there is a sender and a receiver, a method of transmission (verbal, written, etc.) and the climate in which the message is sent (friendly, hostile, etc.). In many cases the sender lacks clear thinking ability by sending ambiguous, incomplete or contradictory messages. Conversely, the receiver may receive it as intended or may distort it - "I understand what was said, but what do they really mean by it."
Hopefully the following points will help clarify your communication skills.
If you are the sender of information
a.) Think through your thoughts - do not rush!
b.) Simplify - do not over complicate (800 most commonly used words in the English language have more than 14,000 meanings).
c.) Do not use exaggerated words and voice inflections. They promote defense shields which prohibit the message from getting through.
d.) Use humor whenever possible - it tends to lighten the seriousness and gets the message through.
If you are the receiver of information
a.) Listen in order to give information - do not try to think of your response and listen at the same time.
b.) Listen without being distracted by emotionally packed words.
c.) Practice listening to yourself - are your statements clear? - are you rambling? - does your voice inflection reflect their true meaning?
d.) Be a good listener and remember there are always two sides to a story.
It has been said that people communicate in order to improve their condition. If your people know they can do this by communicating with you - you have proven yourself as a communicator!