The Skill of Effective Communication

Establishing effective communication with others is a natural and important matter for humans, who are social beings. Since we humans live in groups, whether we want to or not, we are constantly communicating with others, because communication is not just an exchange of words between us and others; rather, everything we do and do not do is interpreted by others, and in fact all our actions count as a kind of communication. Nodding the head, turning away, eye and body gestures, etc., each can carry a message and encompass various types of communication and interaction with others. Even silence can sometimes carry various communicative signals. To fulfill our various needs, we are bound to communicate with those around us, but as we know, communication will only be effective when it is established in a "positive and constructive" manner; otherwise, it will be troublesome. Some people are unable to communicate well because they do not recognize the elements of communication, the factors affecting it, and the obstacles to correct communication.

∴ Effective communication

The purpose of communicating with others is to be able to convey your message to them. If you can successfully make your message understood by others, your thoughts and ideas will be conveyed effectively; otherwise, you will not be able to share your opinion with others, your communication with them will not be well established, and it will lead to the failure of your personal or professional goals. The ability to establish social relations is one of the main signs of mental health in people. Those who lack this ability often have few friends and have a limited social and support network.

∴ To communicate effectively with others, pay attention to the following points:

1/ Always and in every situation, be on time and punctual for your appointment; even at the first meeting, try to arrive a few minutes early. 2/ While you should have a clean and tidy appearance, try to make your manner of dress and grooming suitable to the situation and context of the communication. 3/ Be relaxed and calm, because having feelings such as anxiety and discomfort will give the other party the impression that you do not have enough self-confidence or knowledge. 4/ Be yourself and avoid taking on artificial roles and poses that you think present a better image of you. 5/ Have a warm and gentle smile on your lips; nothing can be as successful as a smile and a pleasant manner in creating a good impression of yourself. 6/ Provide an accurate self-introduction appropriate to the situation. 7/ Be positive; even if you are faced with a critical or stern face from the other party, look at the situation and the communication with a positive view. 8/ Behave with humility and politeness, and avoid belittling, dismissing, mocking, or arguing with the other party. 9/ Focus all your attention on the other party and behave in a way that they notice this. 10/ While speaking, be simple and unpretentious and engage in adequate self-disclosure; giving information about yourself to others helps establish communication. 11/ When speaking, try not to stray from the topic of discussion. 12/ Be a good listener for what the other party says. 13/ Pay attention to your tone and voice, because by using the correct way of pronouncing words you can create the best effect on others.

∴ Obstacles to communication

If your message is long or full of errors, you should not expect your message to be well understood or interpreted. Try to prepare yourself in advance to communicate effectively with various people or groups. The important point is to provide a good first impression of yourself; when you meet a person or people for the first time, you are subjected to an initial evaluation by them, and an impression of you may form for them within just a few seconds.

∴ Some obstacles to effective communication are: 1/ not listening 2/ mocking 3/ shouting or speaking loudly 4/ belittling people 5/ becoming angry 6/ not expressing one's feelings honestly 7/ negative non-verbal messages (such as indifference, inattention, and a defensive posture) 8/ frowning and scowling 9/ interrupting another person's speech 10/ lying 11/ threatening 12/ accusing or blaming 13/ hasty evaluations and rushed conclusions 14/ prejudices and rigid, stereotyped thinking

∴ The following help establish effective communication: 1/ listening properly 2/ choosing a suitable time to speak 3/ establishing non-verbal communication (gestures and facial and body expressions) 4/ trying to understand the feelings of others 5/ offering possible solutions 6/ good eye contact and pleasant facial expressions.