Choosing the right approach helps you to be a more effective communicator.
Much has been written on the importance of effective communication for success in people's jobs and personal relationships. Communication touches every aspect of what people do in any given day. You communicate verbally, in written format and non-verbally with your body language throughout the day. If you are always doing it, how is it that you don't communicate as well as you should?
The approach:-
People are so focused on delivering the message that they do not always think of the personality, gender or culture of the receiver when composing their thoughts. They choose words based on their personal life experience and communication style and expect the receiver to understand exactly what they are trying to say, leaving them frustrated when they don't get it.
The personal filter
You filter and listen to a person's response based on your interpretation of what he says. Often, you do not actually hear the message as you are too tuned in to the internal dialogue in your own head- I don't agree with him there. I know he's wrong. You are left wondering why he is being so difficult and perceive that he is deliberately not listening to what you said. You think you make perfect sense and are clear in your words and delivery. Belief and perception become reality and you now have a full-blown conflict based on your inability to communicate. Sounds familiar? Adding to the communication challenge is the complexity of the world you now live in. With globalisation and the ease and availability of multiple levels of communication channels, people have to do more and faster. Organisations today expect you to be able to communicate well regardless of gender, culture or age and judge your capabilities and performance based on your success in communicating effectively.
Bridging the gap:-
The whole point of communication is to express ideas in a clear, concise and easy to understand manner to a variety of audiences. If half of your problem is your approach, here are some solution:
Become self-aware:-
Be open to feedback. Are you getting your message across or only being understood by people like yourself? What is your tone? How do you think you are being perceived? What does your body language say? Get feedback from your friends and peers and learn how they perceive your abilities.
Gauge gender styles:-
Men use more report talk and are more direct in their style. Women often adopt this approach in business to be understood . However, they are naturally more inclined to use communication to build relationships and familiarity. Before you speak, identify the natural style of the person you're speaking to.
Observe non-verbal language:-
Watch your audience's body language- do they look interested? Are their arms crossed or bodies pointing away from you? Stop, look and listen to their body language and alter the tone and content of your message so they start hearing you.
Seek cultural clues:-
Remember, the language you're communicating in may not be their mother tongue or yours. Are you using too many words? Words with multiple meanings? Is your tone appropriate? The more you learn about the other person's culture, the more effectively you will communicate. Ask question about his experiences and culture. Get to know each other. People love to talk about themselves and will be happy to educate you.
Respect age:-
Everyone wants to be respected for their opinions whether they are young or old. No one has the perfect answer, and no one is always right. If you're young, don't assume someone older hasn't considered your solution before. If you're older, listen for new approach.
Tailor it to the individual:-
Think of culture, age, personally and communication style, gender, format and timing of your message. Learn to switch style between each person to communicate effectively with them.
