|
Really effective communication skills rely to an enormous extent on Listening Skills so a major part of communication is lost if the listener doesn't know how to listen.
"Because it was said doesn't mean it was heard; and even if it was heard, it doesn't mean it was understood."
So what do you consider to be good communication? It is:
- The passing of Information from one person to another
- A two way circuit with at least two people involved
- Words alone are not communication
- Understanding "sensed" from tone, gesture and facial expression
- The listener "infers" their own understanding
- The speaker must check understanding is what was meant
- Main barriers to good communication are: emotion, language and environment
Rules for Good Communication:
- Clarify ideas and how they are to be communicated
- Identify the purpose of the message and break down if necessary
- Consult other people, their support comes from contributing
- Consider the whole situation; what form and where?
- Be aware of the affect of expression, gestures, tone of voice
- Help the listener, acknowledge their point of view
- Follow up with questions to ascertain understanding
- Allow enough time and repeat if needing future action, also remind
- Support your communication by your own actions
- Aim to understand as well as being understood.
Effective Listening
Listening is an active not passive process. What alone counts is what the audience hears, thinks was said, understands and thinks is meant. Listening effectively avoids misunderstandings and is the first step to good communication.
It depends on:
- hearing the words
- Identifying the language and the words used
- Making sense of the sequence of words
- Understanding the meaning of the sentences
- Evaluating what was said
- Distinguishing fact from opinion
Can you claim to listen, hear and understand as well as you might. If not let us help you to avoid the misunderstandings that so frequently occur.
|
