Importance of Effective Communication in Everyday Life
Communication is the transfer of information between individuals. Effective communication skills are crucial for resolving conflicts, building relationships, and increasing productivity in the workplace. Clear communication fosters understanding, trust, and collaboration. It is a key skill sought by employers and vital for personal and professional growth.
- Communication skills
- Workplace communication
- Effective communication
- Building relationships
- Conflict resolution
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Importance of Communication in Everyday Life Tips and Tricks
What is Communication? Communication is the transfer of information (a message) between a sender and a recipient. Can be influenced by your emotions, the cultural situation, the medium used to communicate, and your location. Two people can interpret the identical message in different ways depending on their personal influences. Communication can be subtle such as eye contact/ lack of eye contact and general body language. Effective communication skills are important skills to possess, both in life and in the workplace.
Why Are Communication Skills Important? Effective communication can help to resolve or avoid problems and/ or conflicts. It helps you connect with others and share ideas. Effective communication clarifies information, reducing wasted time. Helps builds relationships, teamwork, and trust. Helps to develop your knowledge base, which helps you make better life choices. Effective communication builds interpersonal relationships, at home and at work. Helps us understand people, overcome diversities, and clarify situations. Communication is a skill that employers look for in an employee. Effective communication is a necessary skill to advocate for your rights and your needs.
Benefits to Effective Workplace Communication Boosts morale and encourages exchange of new ideas which increases efficiency. Increases productivity because everyone understands their role with less ambiguity of tasks. Forms trust when you are able to share your ideas to accomplish tasks. Stops confusion and frustration when clear goals are communicated. Increases employee dedication and commitment by feeling valued for their input. Employees are more engaged because employees are directly involved in the company s success. Increasing knowledge of business practices helps the employee do their job well. Encourages employees when manager s communicate in a positive way to input. Lessens employee turnover because workers are more satisfied with their work environment. Clarity and effective communication reduces conflicts in the workplace. Honesty is the best policy, even if you make mistakes, which are an essential part of growth. Improves co-worker interactions when you successfully communicate ideas to managers or co- workers.
Communication Skills Test your communication skills by taking the following quiz: Https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCS_99.htm
Communication Sounds Easy, Right? Effective communication is complex and is a skill that needs to be practiced. There is always a chance that someone may misinterpret your communication with unexpected consequences with resulting conflict or frustrations. Communication involves far more than simply sharing of information, there is also interpreting and understanding the specific meaning. At work, employees expect to be informed about the business and do not want to miss any important information. Unfortunately, communication can be overlooked or forgotten, although it is vital for day-to-day operations in an organization. Effective communication can result in decreased turnover rates in the workplace.
Barriers to Effective Communication Using jargon can be overcomplicated and unfamiliar. Emotional barriers (taboos)-some people find it difficult to express emotions and some topics may be off limits such as politics, religion, sexuality, racism, etc. Distractions or irrelevant subjects make it difficult to actively listen. Differences in viewpoints and perceptions can increase stress levels and decrease effective communication. Physical limitations such as speech difficulties or hearing problems. Language differences such as linguistics or dialects. Prejudices and expectations may lead to false assumptions and/ or stereotyping. Cultural differences such as social norms or personal space can cause anxiety. Psychological barriers such as stress can make it hard to understand and interpret conversations appropriately. Anger can make it difficult to listen effectively.
Categories of Communication Verbal Includes face-to-face, telephone, radio, TV, other media Non-verbal Body language, gestures, how we dress and act, where we stand, tone of voice, etc. Written Letters, emails, social media, books, magazines, internet, and other media. Visuals (graphs and charts) Maps, logos, and other visuals.
Improving Communication Avoid stereotyping (ageism, racism, sexism, etc.). Do not patronize or condescend. Remember the way you use language reflects your attitudes and beliefs. Know your audience and communicate accordingly (ex; elderly may have decreased visual perception and you may need to communicate with larger print).
1. Be An Active Listener Try not to focus on what you will be saying. Effective communication involves listening. You need to understand the emotions that the speaker is conveying. Listen to the speaker s tones and body language and subtle cues to understand their message. This can build a stronger connection. With practice this technique can lower stress and support physical and emotional well-being (ex; if the person you are talking to is calm, then you become calm).
Tips for Active Listening Focus fully on the speaker (don t check your phone or think about something else). Favour your right ear- the left side of your brain processes speech comprehension and emotions; therefore, your right ear detects emotional nuances of what someone maybe relaying to you. Avoid interrupting and redirecting to your concerns-listening is not the same as waiting for your turn to talk. Show interest in what is being said-nod, smile, ensure your posture is open, encourage their conversation with small verbal comments uh-huh . Set aside judgement- withhold blame and criticism in order to understand what the person is saying. Provide feedback- paraphrase what I am hearing is
2. Pay Attention to Nonverbal Signals The way you look, listen, move, and react, impact others more than words alone. It is called nonverbal communication and includes body language, facial expressions, body movement, gestures, eye contact, posture, tone of voice, muscle tension, and breathing. Nonverbal communication can help you connect with others and build relationships. It can be used to emphasize or enhance your verbal message (ex; patting a friend on their back when congratulating them).
Tips to Enhance Your Nonverbal Skills Be aware of individual differences-people within different age groups, different cultures, or different parts of the world may interpret nonverbal signals differently. Look at the various nonverbal cues as a group-consider all the communication, eye contact, tone of voice, body language, gestures, etc., as a whole. Do not focus on the fact the person briefly crossed their arms for example. If you say one thing, make sure your body language is congruent with your message (ex; do not say yes while shaking your head no). Avoid negative body language and express positivity-go into an important meeting making eye contact, use a firm handshake and smile, regardless of how nervous you are. This can make you more confident and help to put others at ease.
3. Keep Stress in Check At some point, everyone has been stressed and said something they have later regretted. Relieve your immediate stress and return to a calm state to avoid subsequent regrets. In a calm state, it makes it easier to read the situation with no response sometimes being the correct response. Controlling your stress levels can help manage your emotions, think quicker, and effectively communicate in stressful situations.
Tips to Stay Calm Use stall tactics by asking for clarification on the statement. This gives you time to think before you respond. Pause to collect your thoughts- silence can make you seem more in control than rushing into a response. Make a point and provide an example. Gauge the listener s reaction to see if you should make a second point. Deliver your words clearly-speak clearly with an even tone, and make eye contact. Keep your body language open. Provide a summary and then stop. Silence is okay.
Quick Stress Reliever Recognize the conversation is escalating ex; are your hands clenched? Are your muscles tight? Forget to breathe? Are your breaths shallow? Take a moment to calm down. Focus on your senses for distraction ex; pop a mint, take a few breaths, squeeze a stress ball in your pocket. Look for humour in the situation-lightening the mood can decrease stress with a story or a joke. Be willing to compromise-meeting in the middle ground can show you are concerned and may preserve your future relationship. Agree to disagree because sometimes there are 2 opposing views and no amount of arguing will help anyone. Take a stroll, try some physical outlet to decrease your stress, or simply find a quiet place to calm down.
4. Assert Yourself Be direct and have clear communication which can boost your self- esteem and decision-making skills. Express your thoughts, feelings, and needs in an honest way. Ensure to respect others, but stand up for yourself. Do NOT be hostile, aggressive, or demanding.
Improving Assertiveness Value yourself-you are as important as everyone else. Know your needs and wants- but do not infringe on the rights of others. Express negative thoughts in a positive way but be respectful. Receive feedback- accept compliments graciously, learn from your mistakes, ask for help when necessary. Know your limits. Do not let others take advantage of you.
Resources Become a better communicator: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/communication_skills.htm Communication Videos to improve your toolbox: https://www.ted.com/topics/communication Age-Friendly Communication: Facts, Tips and Ideas: https://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/alt- formats/pdf/publications/public/various-varies/afcomm- commavecaines/AFComm-Commavecaines-eng.pdf
References https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/communication-1-idea-3-facts-5- tips/ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/effective- communication.htm# https://www.ihasco.co.uk/blog/entry/3234/what-are-the-benefits-of-effective- communication-skills https://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/alt-formats/pdf/publications/public/various- varies/afcomm-commavecaines/AFComm-Commavecaines-eng.pdf https://www.ringcentral.com/us/en/blog/top-7-benefits-of-workplace- communication/#seven https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/barriers-communication.html https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/what-is-communication.html https://blog.smarp.com/top-5-communication-skills-and-how-to-improve-them https://www.techfunnel.com/hr-tech/benefits-of-workplace-communication/
