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Communication Skills

The document discusses effective communication skills and provides tips for being a better speaker and listener. It emphasizes the importance of being considerate, speaking clearly, staying focused, being brief, and reading the listener when speaking. When listening, it recommends eliminating distractions, making time, practicing reflective listening, listening for understanding, waiting for the speaker to finish, paying attention, and maintaining eye contact. The document also provides guidelines for arguing fairly, such as avoiding name-calling, managing anger, sticking to the issue, and speaking with regard for the other person.

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35 views2 pages

Communication Skills

The document discusses effective communication skills and provides tips for being a better speaker and listener. It emphasizes the importance of being considerate, speaking clearly, staying focused, being brief, and reading the listener when speaking. When listening, it recommends eliminating distractions, making time, practicing reflective listening, listening for understanding, waiting for the speaker to finish, paying attention, and maintaining eye contact. The document also provides guidelines for arguing fairly, such as avoiding name-calling, managing anger, sticking to the issue, and speaking with regard for the other person.

Uploaded by

Naachiyaar A
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Communication Skills

Being able to communicate with others is one of the best life skills a person can develop. Someone who
can effectively communicate thoughts, ideas, and feelings is better equipped for success both on the job
and in personal relationships.

Effective communication is much more than being able to talk; it is also the ability to listen and understand
others, to “read” and interpret body language and to know the best ways to get our points across.

To be a better speaker:

• Be considerate. Don’t dominate the conversation by talking only about yourself. Use
questions to probe the person’s feelings or opinions on the topic of conversation.
• Speak clearly. Don’t mumble or talk in the opposite direction of the listener. Also, use
words that you know the listener might understand.
• Stay focused on the conversation. Doing something else while you are talking, such
as typing or working on a car, sends a message to the listener that you don’t think the
conversation is worthy of your full attention, and it could inhibit the listener’s responses
to what you say.
• Be brief. Don’t over talk a point. It may cause the other person to lose interest in the
conversation.
• Learn to “read” the listener. If the other person seems inattentive or uncomfortable,
it is probably not a good time to be carrying on a conversation. Recommend having
the conversation at another time.

To be a better listener:

• Eliminate distractions. If you find it hard to concentrate because of your


surroundings, move to another area or schedule another time to talk.
• Make time to listen. If you are in a hurry or don’t have time, let the speaker know and
schedule another time to talk. Better to delay the conversation than to risk having an
important conversation cut short.
• Practice reflective listening. Repeat what you think the speaker said to ensure you
heard the speaker correctly. This is called “reflective listening” and it is identified by
statements as “If I understand you correctly…” reflective listening gives the speaker a
chance to clarify a point and ensures that both the speaker and the listener are on the
same page.
• Listen for understanding. If you don’t understand what is being said, don’t by shy or
embarrassed to ask questions. It is better to ask for clarification than to risk a
misunderstanding that could lead to problems later on.
• Wait for the speaker to finish. Don’t interrupt, even when it’s apparent the person
speaking is gathering his/her thoughts.
• Pay attention to what is being said. When someone is speaking, don’t spend that
time preparing your remarks or working on a project – listen.
• Keep eye contact. Doing so shows that you are interested in what is being said,
which may encourage the speaker to express him/herself more freely.

The fine points of arguing fairly:

Everyone gets into arguments, but good communicators know how to argue fairly. Here are some
guidelines to keep your arguments from going too far south.

• Don’t resort to name calling. Never, ever call a partner a hurtful name. Try the five-
second rule (below) to choose words that are appropriate and relevant to the
disagreement.
• Try the five-second rule. Because we sometimes say things without thinking of the
consequences, wait five seconds before you comment on what is just been said. Use
this time to exercise control and think about what you should say.
• Stick to the issue at hand. Talk only about the present point of disagreement.
Bringing up or engaging in discussions about past problems adds the proverbial fuel to
the fire. It also shifts the focus from the present problem, which means it probably
won’t get resolved and will cause trouble again.
• Manage your anger. Anger is a natural emotion, especially when you are having a
disagreement. But don’t allow your anger to turn violent. If you feel your anger
reaching that point, leave the scene immediately and do something safe to calm
yourself down – counting to 20, taking a brisk walk or exercising. Don’t resort to drugs
or alcohol or drive your car away on all cylinders.
• Speak and act with regard for the other person. Remember with whom you are
arguing. It may be a marriage partner or someone whom you love and care about
deeply. Although that is probably the last thing on your mind when you are having a
disagreement, it should be the first.

Site: www.PRPonline.net

ASAP offers confidential, cost-free assessment, counseling, consultation and referral services to all
UCDHS faculty, staff, and their family members. Whether the problem is work-related, personal,
career or relationship focused, ASAP can assist you in evaluating and resolving the problem.

You can call ASAP at 916-734-2727 for an appointment.

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