Communication More Effectively

How to Open Communication More Effectively

If someone has upset you, ask yourself whether or not their actions were motivated by malicious intent. Chances are, most people have good intentions. Being honest and upfront about your feelings will go a long way. However, there may be some instances in which the person's actions have caused you some emotional distress. If this happens, open communication can help you resolve the problem in a positive manner. In these cases, the best approach is to ask the individual what prompted the upset.
Avoiding defensive postures

Defensive postures can hinder the flow of communication and create distance between the speaker and the listener. For example, a speaker standing with his or her hands on their hips conveys anger or enthusiasm, but can also be misinterpreted. Personal space should be three feet or one arm's length away. Close family members and friends may stand closer to each other. A speaker should be as comfortable as possible when communicating with the listener, but it's not necessary.

Generally, defensive behavior results in a circular response. Moreover, it results in defensive listening, which produces multiple postural, facial, and verbal cues. Consequently, the listener's ability to focus on the message can be affected. In addition, defensive communicators send multiple motive and value cues, and their receiver's ability to interpret the message is compromised. Studies show that defensive behaviors reduce the efficiency of communication.
Avoiding voice inflection

Avoiding voice inflection when opening communication is a common mistake that many people make. Many people avoid this habit because they are too shy to make the initial connection with their new audience. While it may sound like a simple fix, the process of retraining yourself to speak positively begins with awareness. Try checking your voice messages, informal conversations, and meetings. If you notice that your voice tends to sound more upbeat than usual, ask a trusted colleague to listen to your message. By becoming aware of this habit, you can start to put more power in your voice and spread it to others.

Smiling may also affect your voice inflection. When you smile, the waves of sound in your voice become more relaxed and friendly. For instance, if you're singing in the shower, keep your mouth open wider and show more teeth. Smiling makes your voice sound warm and friendly, so try to smile as much as possible. If you're singing in a choir, try to open your mouth wider.

When opening communication, it's important to use inflection to avoid sounding insincere or sloppy. A wave-like variation in the pitch of your voice signals that you're interested in what the other person is saying. Similarly, a lulling voice sounds monotonous. By speaking in a tone with inflection, you'll communicate your interest in the customer's speech and make the audience listen to what you have to say.

Inflection is an art that requires practice to master. When closing a thought, for example, you should lower your pitch, while raising a question should raise your pitch. Dan Levine recommends starting your pitch somewhere in the middle. Otherwise, you might end up starting too low and never getting lower. Additionally, you can twist your words to break up monotony. If you don't feel like speaking high, try lower.
Avoiding assumptions

Avoiding assumptions when opening communication is an important step to take to improve the quality of your interactions. Assumptions are common in communication, and if you make them, you open yourself up for misunderstandings. In fact, assuming that your counterpart is aware of something you don't know is the quickest way to cause a breakdown in communication. To avoid assumptions, ask for clarification and call out your own assumptions.

To avoid assumptions when opening communication, summarize what you heard. Summarization is often employed as an effective tool in active listening, where the listener focuses on the message and processes their thoughts. Communication is about nuance, and recapping the message is a great way to communicate key points and action items. You should also make sure that you include all the parties who were affected by the issue, and make sure that your message is clear. Be sure to listen carefully, and repeat as necessary.

Another common mistake is making assumptions. Assumptions often lead to misunderstandings and unproductive interactions. Assumptions are also confirmed by experience. Assumptions are common in dating situations, as you assume the man will pick up the check. You will undoubtedly act on your assumptions in the future. Hence, it's vital to avoid making assumptions when opening communication with your partner. You'll find it much easier to establish a healthy communication style when you're aware of these common mistakes.
Using nonverbal signals

Reading nonverbal signals to open communication better is one of the key skills of an effective communicator. You can read nonverbal signals by looking for groups of signals that reinforce the same point. However, this technique can lead to inaccurate interpretations. Rather than reading nonverbal signals by interpreting the individual's words, consider the situation and context of the conversation. Make use of appropriate nonverbal signals for each situation.

People with certain occupations are frequently exposed to nonverbal cues. Teachers, journalists, lawyers, salespeople, and corporate executives often interact with others. These people need to be able to communicate effectively. When they are speaking to others, it is important to make sure to use nonverbal signals to open communication more effectively. Using body postures and facial expressions to express feelings and reactions can have a far greater impact than delivering a monotonous message with a monotone voice.

Besides speaking and listening, nonverbal cues include eye contact. Eye contact conveys interest and confidence. Too much eye contact can also convey coercion and negative feelings about what you are saying. Likewise, fiddling with hands is another sign that someone is bored and disinterested. Using nonverbal signals to open communication more effectively will allow you to develop a deeper connection with your audience.

One of the most common nonverbal cues in the workplace is open body language. Many people do not think of this as a language but rather an unconscious one. When you can interpret nonverbal signals correctly, you can open up your communication and build stronger relationships. For those who do not communicate verbally often, understanding nonverbal signals can be a great tool for relating with others.
Avoiding offensive words

Keeping language fluid means adapting to changes in societal and cultural contexts. However, insensitive words and phrases are still problematic, especially in communication. While many people agree that some words and phrases are offensive, others are dismissive of the notion as overly PC. Listed below are some common examples of offensive words and phrases. Avoid them when communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds. You may also find it helpful to learn euphemisms.