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Read the paragraphs and answer the question.
• What are the dos and don'ts of effective communication?
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Effective communication is more than just exchanging information. It's about understanding the emotions and intentions behind the information. For many of us, communicating more clearly and effectively requires learning some important skills. Learning the right skills will help you clearly convey1 a message, grasp2 the real meaning of what's being said and help the other person feel heard and understood. As a result, you will build greater trust and respect with others and improve your overall social and emotional health.
When you are stressed, you're more likely to misread the situation and face problems expressing yourself clearly. To avoid conflict and misunderstandings3, you should learn how to quickly calm down before continuing a conversation.
Also, you can't converse4 with people effectively when
you're multitasking. If you're checking
your phone, you can miss key information in the conversation.
To communicate effectively, you
need to avoid distractions and stay focused.
During in-person5 communication, we often focus on what we should say. However, effective communication is less about talking and more about listening. You can show your interest in what's being said by nodding or smiling at the person and encouraging the speaker to continue with small verbal comments like "yes" or "uh huh."
But remember you shouldn't do this at the expense of6 your personal satisfaction. There are always polite ways to avoid undesired conversations.
The way you look, listen, move, and react to another person tells people more about how you're feeling than words alone ever can. Non-verbal7 communication, or body language, includes facial expressions8, body movement and gestures, eye contact, the tone of your voice and even your breathing.
Developing the ability to understand and use non-verbal communication can help you connect with others, express what you really mean and build better relationships.