Friday, May 31, 2013
4 Secrets to Improve Communication Skills: Tips for Managers
Excellent communications skills are extremely important for managers to have. So here are simple ways to improve communications skills.
1. Listen actively.
Be attentive as you listen. Concentrate on what a person is saying. Be impartial and avoid forming opinion while someone's speaking. Just listen. Restate what was spoken about to let the speaking know that you have understood. Or summarize and pull together all important messages so both you and the speaker can pin point what were important during the meeting or conversation.
2. Be patient.
When communicating with your team, always give them time to express their issues, thoughts, or concerns. Concentrate on what they are trying to say. This will show them that you are truly open and interested. Impatience breaks down many communications between people. People tend to rush to get out of conversation. This is especially true to executives, who are very busy and who truly have a lot of good things to say and bright ideas to share. But keep in mind that good and effective communication is not about talking only. It is also about knowing how to listen. And to be a good listener, you have to learn patience. Do not interrupt someone as he or she talks. Delay your comments and other thoughts.
3. Nonverbal Message
Take note of your posture. Let your body show attention and interest by sitting up or leaning toward the speaker. Equal positioning also helps. You stand is the one you are having a casual conversation with is standing You sit is he or she is seated. Take note of your facial expressions. Remember that facial expressions mirror what you really feel. Be aware of your gestures and body language as they reveal a lot about how you interpret a certain message. See to it that your gestures don't convey a wrong message.
4. Communicate without being argumentative.
Communicate all issues, concerns, and problems without being confrontational or judgmental. Communicate without blaming other people. For example, you were frustrated or even angry because your team has not performed their tasks well, may be due to negligence, rather than focusing on the people who mess up, give suggestions on how they would improve. When discussing, use "I" not "You." Instead of saying "You did not explain your point very well," say "I did not understand that well. Explain it again, please.
Consider communication skills course in Melbourne to further knowledge and be more effective in communicating with people.