One of the keys to good man management is successful interpersonal communication..
Good people skills make people feel valued; and when people feel valued they tend to reciprocate by investing themselves more fully in their work and workplace.
1. Shutup and listen
We all know people who never stop talking. Don’t be one of them! Really let yourself listen to the person you are with and you’ll find they give you lots of conversation ‘cues and clues’ to pick up on. Try listening with your full attention, putting your own agenda out of mind for a minute or two and allow the other person to own the conversation completely and see what you find out.
2. Empathise
Seems basic doesn’t it? Well it is basic to all good communication. People feel a lot happier when they have been ‘heard and understood’. Pick up on the emotions being communicated, not just the information. Once you have read some of the deeper signals being given it is important to acknowledge them, let your colleague know that you understand the way they feel and what they are saying.
3. Eye contact
Making good eye contact at the start of a communication lets your partner know you are ready to engage and ready to listen. Failed communication often occurs when it is half hearted.
4. Mirror
Listen with your whole body, not just your ears. Gently mirror your partner’s body language and shape. Don’t mimic, but allow your gesture, tone and shape to correspond with theirs. This will get things flowing. For double the impact tune into their breathing too – try to establish a common breathing pattern, a shared ground from the most essential part of your communicative being.
5. Smile
Simple. A sincere smile is a warm opening gambit guaranteed to get anyone on your side, even if the conversation ahead is going to be tricky.
These are basic tips for successful communication, but it’s easy to forget them in the heat of the moment. Start practising today, and soon they will become brilliant communication habits.
Communication is not something for which there is a defined formula; the best communicators are those with flexibility. They go with the flow.
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