3 Things That Will Improve Your Communication Skills
By Gary Gzik and Renée Eaton
How many times have you heard a person tell someone they are an excellent communicator after hearing them speak? What people often forget is that speaking well is only one half of being an effective communicator. The other half is being a good listener. This is often the harder part.
People can be very "me centered" when listening to others, either they ignore, pretend to listen or selectively listen. It is the rare person who is "you centered" and practices empathetic listening.
Communicating doesn't come second nature, to be done well, it is a learned art. The following are three things that will improve your listening abilities:
- An attitude of caring more for what the other person is saying than for your own thoughts and concerns.
- The ability to maintain your concentration on what is being said and not let your mind wander.
- To fill in the gaps of your understanding through questioning and thinking about what is being said.
It has been said, "One of the highest compliments you can pay another person is to acknowledge that what he/she has to say is of value, to listen."
Learning to become an effective listener pays big dividends in your relationships with others. By actively listening to another person you pay the ultimate compliment. Your listening has shown that what they have to say is important. It increases their feeling of self-worth.
Commit To The Following:
- Listen; don't just hear what others are saying.
- Maintain eye contact with the speaker.
- Don't Interrupt! Let the person talk.
To learn more about improving communication in your company, contact Gary Gzik at 613.342.2200 ext. 108 or at ggzik@bizxcel.com.
Preparing for Greatness provides tips in order to improve your health and wellness at work and at home.
Gary Gzik is the CEO of BizXcel and has been a consultant for businesses for over 20 years. He has worked with hundreds of organizations and more than 10 000 individuals in areas of leadership development, effective communication skills, strategic planning, presentation skills, team building, customer service and personal development.
Renée Eaton is a Communications Specialist, researcher and writer for BizXcel Inc. and editor for Generating Greatness.
