Essay and Research Articles
------------------------------------------------- Developing Effective Communication Skills
There are hundreds of steps that you can take to improve on your interpersonal communication skills. These skills are otherwise known as people skills and they make a huge difference in the number and quality of the friends that you have. Improving your interpersonal communication can mean the difference between making lifelong friendships and just having an over abundance of acquaintances.
Improve your Listening Skills:
There are four key elements in the listening process: hearing, interpreting, evaluating and responding to the message. All four elements work together to build an understanding of what you are hearing.
The 2005 book "Are You Really Listening?" suggests you ask these questions as you listen. What am I hearing? What feelings am I hearing? What is the message? What is the information that I am hearing? Once you understand the meaning of the message, you can engage in effective interpersonal communication.
Use Appropriate Body Language:
Appropriate body language can reinforce your verbal message or reflect your mood. There are some conscious methods you can utilize to show the listener you are actively listening.
When someone is speaking to you, be aware of your facial expressions. Smiling, for instance, will reveal to your listener that you are pleased. Avoid showing unconscious signs of disapproval, such as crossing your arms in front of you. A simple nod of the head shows approval.
Acknowledge Your Audience:
Acknowledging your audience is one of the principle techniques of effective interpersonal communication. The person you communicate with needs to know he is understood. Make eye contact with the speaker throughout the conversation. Ask questions to prove you are listening and for clarification. If you don't have specific questions, you can paraphrase what you heard back to your listener.
Be Honest:
People do not like someone who
There are hundreds of steps that you can take to improve on your interpersonal communication skills. These skills are otherwise known as people skills and they make a huge difference in the number and quality of the friends that you have. Improving your interpersonal communication can mean the difference between making lifelong friendships and just having an over abundance of acquaintances.
Improve your Listening Skills:
There are four key elements in the listening process: hearing, interpreting, evaluating and responding to the message. All four elements work together to build an understanding of what you are hearing.
The 2005 book "Are You Really Listening?" suggests you ask these questions as you listen. What am I hearing? What feelings am I hearing? What is the message? What is the information that I am hearing? Once you understand the meaning of the message, you can engage in effective interpersonal communication.
Use Appropriate Body Language:
Appropriate body language can reinforce your verbal message or reflect your mood. There are some conscious methods you can utilize to show the listener you are actively listening.
When someone is speaking to you, be aware of your facial expressions. Smiling, for instance, will reveal to your listener that you are pleased. Avoid showing unconscious signs of disapproval, such as crossing your arms in front of you. A simple nod of the head shows approval.
Acknowledge Your Audience:
Acknowledging your audience is one of the principle techniques of effective interpersonal communication. The person you communicate with needs to know he is understood. Make eye contact with the speaker throughout the conversation. Ask questions to prove you are listening and for clarification. If you don't have specific questions, you can paraphrase what you heard back to your listener.
Be Honest:
People do not like someone who