Communication Skills: the Basics

Effective communication requires active listening. But it is difficult to remain engaged, for the simple fact that your brain processes words 5 times faster than people speak them. This podcast provides many techniques which will dramatically improve your engagement and therefore understanding of what is said. The topic of Communication Skills is a vast topic.  It includes both visual, auditory and kinaesthetics parts which can be broken down into words or body language, touch, feeling and so on and so forth.  It’s a very interesting topic and it’s something, which is very important for any executive, manager and indeed the people that work for them. I have looked at communication skills in the past with some ideas on how to introduce people, in fact that was the very first podcast I did.  We have spoken about the tone of your voice, particularly during presentations and meetings and it is valid for other situations. In some of the listening skills which I talk about that, I am going to give particular emphasis upon people who are using English as a second language, because those people need a little bit of extra help when it comes to active listening in a language which is not their mother tongue. Listening Skills * The Greatest and Easiest Gift * Listen Intently + Focus on Every Word * Genuine Interest ( A Choice ) * Result = Feel Respected, Greater Self Esteem, Feel Important * Problem – Our Mouth vs Our Brains * Solution = Active Effort * 80% Listen 20% Speak * Speak to Clarify, Demonstrate Understanding by Paraphrasing * How to Improve Your Focus? * Choice of Words, Emphasis, Tone, Silences, Repetitions, Body Lanaguage * Adopt the Listening Position – Meetings ! * Other Tricks: * Listen in Real Time * Listen with your Ears and Eyes ( Some say Heart too: No) * Give Phatic Feedback but Be Comfortable with Silence * Smile, Nod, Frown, Laugh * Make Notes * Don't Interupt Unless to Encourage Bottom Line First * Pause Before Replying * The Above Helps Your Listening and Understanding Not the Reasons * Emotions * Feelings etc * Too Busy / Difficult to Be Concerned about Reasons   Questioning Skills * Practising Questions is Crucial * In English the grammar is tough ! * It Gives others the Opportunity to Express Themselves * Three Types of Questions: * Open Ended Non Specific – “Tell me about…”, or “Describe…” * Encourage Speaker to Talk, to Open up and Saves Energy * Open Ended Specific – “Who, What, Where, When, Why” * Acquire Specific Information * Closed Questions * Check Understanding * Never Be Afraid to Ask – Don't Ever Feel Stupid !   Gossip and/or Negativity * Almost Everyone Gossips at Some Point * But Given the Negative Connotation it can cause Upset and Disruption – Office Affairs * Spreading Gossip or Negative Information Creates Resentment * As the Boss Never be Part of It: * Example: Extra Workload. * Example: Old Colleagues. * Gossip can be Professional, Helpful, Accurate and not just Rumours