Good communication is among the most crucial life skills we may learn. However, we don’t commonly put a lot of work into it. Whether you would like to deal better with people in your social life or communicate better at work, or resolve conflicts faster, here are a few crucial tips for learning to communicate better.
Even the best relationships go through conflicts and issues. If addressed carefully, these issues can supply opportunities for personal growth. There are a lot of skills that may help people resolve conflicts in a better way. The best is good communication.
An assortment of things can cause conflict, a few of which are money, children, and in-laws, personal issues like self-respect, beliefs, goals, or issues with a relationship. While the list could seem endless, most conflicts involve communication.
Most individuals understand that in order to get conflict resolution, we have to communicate about the problem; however negative patterns of communication may often lead to a worse problem. Communication requires positive thinking as well.
Let’s look at a few tips:
Body language is important.
If you sit with arms crossed, you’re closing off the person you are speaking with. Our unspoken cues frequently reveal a lot. You are always communicating even when you’re not speaking. Some great ways to tap into your body language is to think about a power pose if you have to boost your confidence or learn how to read others body language so you are able to react in the correct way.
Appear more confident.
Stammering and stuttering does little to improve your communication. Feel and appear more confident. One way to begin is to pay attention to when you say um” or “like.” Try merely relaxing and taking a breath before you speak. It might seem awkward, but it works.
Make crib notes.
It helps to have a plan. Put notes down and rehearse points you would like to cover. And you are able to adlib and turn to small talk by sharing things that could help you and the other individual find common ground. Remember to share your points with compassion.
Story telling.
Stories can be a great help in resolving conflicts. Everybody has got at least one great story in them that can link up to a situation. Make it a positive one.
Hear and repeat the other person.
Let’s face it, sometimes we don’t listen very well. Asking questions and repeating what the other person is saying (what I hear you saying is… etc.) shows you’re interested. This can soften the situation and make the other person more receptive as well.
Don’t be distracted.
It’s rude to be doing something else while someone’s talking to you. We can’t eliminate all our distractions, but simply taking the time to make eye contact will immensely improve communication and help with conflicts.
Pay attention to who you’re talking to.
Adapt your conversation to whom you’re speaking to. Always attempt to keep the other person’s view in mind when you attempt to get your message across.
Use empathy.
Communication and conflict resolution is a two-way street. If you rehearse being in the other persons shoes, you are able to reduce the anxiety you might feel when attempting to really communicate with other people. Developing your skills for empathy helps you better comprehend even the unspoken parts of your communication with other people, and helps you react better and will get you better results as well.
Most importantly, make sure to really listen.
In the end, going hand-in-hand with all of the points above, the most beneficial thing you can do to better your communication and conflict resolution skills is to learn to truly listen-to pay attention and let the other individual talk without cutting them off. This can be very difficult and can be hard work, I know, however a great conversation is a lot of words elegantly related with listening. Then, even if your communication tendencies don’t match up, at least you’re both working at the same level. And hopefully the other individual will be paying attention to you as well. This makes for much easier resolutions to conflicts.
If you feel like everything is always a crazy conflict, do not forget to work at your connection and relationship with the person that you are having a conflict with by spending quality time together doing fun and great things (even if it’s just a calm lunch). In addition to that, turn inwards and see if there’s anything YOU can do about your own mental attitude and how you’re approaching things. Are you controlling, demanding and expecting or asking for cooperation, getting involved and being supportive? Draw upon the knowledge you have for positive thinking and forgiveness and gratitude.
Conflicts are not simple however they can serve a wonderful purpose to bring us closer together, to learn to place our trust in someone and listen to one another and to love one another even if we dislike or get bothered by what the other individual is saying!
Remain positive, strong, empathetic and grateful.
Here is a tool to help you boost your confidence.
