Communication is a good part of who we are. No one exists as a lonely island, we are constantly evolving as people interacting with others, regardless of whether we enjoy most social interactions or not.
So, many people worry about one question: "how can I communicate better with other people?" .
Learning to understand and communicate well with others is very important. In this article we will find many tips on how to communicate better with others based on simple ideas that can be applied to your daily habit.
Related article: "The 28 types of communication and their characteristics"
How to communicate better with others?
Before looking at specific strategies to apply to your social relationships to better connect with those around you, it is important to understand some basic principles of communication, whether in the field of friendship, the couple or at work . They are as follows.
You are responsible for informing yourself
Are you familiar with the old saying "I am responsible for what I say, not what you understand? So, you are interested in whether it is wrong, or at least slightly wrong. Communication does not work as a packet data transmission system one emits the show and that is that; It is something more dynamic, you have to participate in the process where other people interpret what we say.
This is because the simple fact of being a different person from the recipient makes our perspectives and experiences of having lived in the past and the present different, which means that no matter how well we do it, misunderstandings will always arise.
You have to put yourself in the shoes of others
This advice came from the previous one, because the communication process is quite dynamic and you need to make sure there are no errors . It is not enough to have an approximate idea of the type of ideas or questions that arise in the mind of the interlocutor; The emotional state that accompanies each of these cognitive processes must also be considered.
Consider the context
More than the individuals involved in an act of communication is the context, and both of these conditions what is said and how what is said is interpreted should always be considered a very important factor.
For example, it’s not the same to say in a meeting in a restaurant than in the office where you work and one of the two is the head of the company. The situation in which social interaction takes place can rotate the meaning of words.
Don’t forget non-verbal language
It is impossible not to speak through non-verbal language , so do not forget about this factor, because it is almost like you or not what you do in this sense will be known and interpreted by others, and you will do the same by observing the rest even if you are not aware of it.
Techniques to better express yourself and connect with other people
With the above mentioned, we can go on to see many tips on how to communicate better with others and enhance your social interactions.
Adapt your language
It is very important to adapt the language to the conversation you have, especially considering two factors: the level of training and education of the listeners, and the context in which the conversation takes place .
For example, if you are researching biology and want to explain what a breed of dog wants at home, you should definitely avoid using highly technical jargon, unless someone else asks you to explain the details. that.
On the other hand, if you are in a professional context, it is unlikely that good eyes will see you express yourself as you would your lifelong friends; As long as this is an arbitrary imposition, violating these unwritten rules can overwhelm the content of your message, in addition to damaging your image in many cases.
Look into my eyes
This may be one of the simplest and most basic tips on how to communicate better. If you don’t, it will create a strange situation where it will be difficult to interpret what you said, since then your intention will not be clear (because you will speak but at the same time you show that you want to be anywhere other than having to that conversation).
Of course, so that you don’t get obsessed with something very important, it’s better that you worry about not stopping looking into your eyes for a few seconds, instead of focusing on looking into your eyes all the time. The ideal is to do it on a voluntary basis that allows you to forget about the object Unless you notice that you are not following it.
Avoid prejudging
Sometimes we are tempted to express loudly prejudices about others, whether they be positive or negative, if only to build a conversation. Avoid it. In any case, ask questions to allow others to let themselves know more.
Notice if the other person is nervous
Sometimes you will meet people who are prone to nervousness in conversations, especially if they know little about you.
By detecting these signs of stress, show them your complicity and use techniques to relieve tension and create a more relaxed atmosphere -Make a joke, adopt a relaxed non-verbal language, show that you take other people seriously and take care of what they think of you, etc.
Practice active listening
When they talk to you, don’t be passive. Even if it’s your turn to remain silent, it signals that you’re paying attention: look into the eyes, nod, react to a few exclamations depending on the emotion that evokes you hearing , and occasionally, add small comments or ask questions. of related topics (as long as they do not involve telling a very long story that is of little importance in that situation). This is known as active listening.
Don’t try to fill silences with words
Don’t be afraid of silences ; they are another communication tool. In fact, many of the great interviewers continue to use it to create the climate of conversation they want; You can also do the same.