James Smith’s Info Serv

Author: Lucille Uttermohlen

We all want to be heard. The problem is that few of us want to hear the other person. Listening is a skill that is well worth learning. No matter who you’re talking with, you will gain a lot more ground if you interact instead of react. Here are a few tips that are bound to improve communication between you and your spouse, boss or kids:

1. Let the other guy finish his sentence. Like your Mamma told you, interrupting is rude. A friend of my father’s used to watch the other person’s lips. The second they stopped moving, he would start talking, whether he knew what had been said or not. If you are inclined to interrupt, close your eyes when someone else is talking. When you aren’t looking, your ears will tell you when it is your turn to speak.

2. Think before you respond. What did the other person say? Did they sound stressed? Did they sound happy? Did they make sense? Are you sure what they meant, or are you puzzled?

3. Ask questions. I don’t mean “what the heck did you mean by that?” I am suggesting questions like, “Are you saying you get upset when I …?” Listen to their response before you continue. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you be annoyed or upset if they did whatever it was to you? Even if you don’t feel you did it, the fact that they thought you did is enough to ask yourself if that was how your action or words might have seemed.
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While physical attraction may draw you close to a person, and their personality may make you adore them, communication is a key aspect of relationships that cannot be ignored. Miscommunication between couples is one of the main reasons that break-ups occur. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the aspects of conversation that you need to pay close attention to in order to ensure that your relationship will be happy and successful.

First and foremost, being a good listener is a necessity in a relationship. The more that your loved one understands that you are truly listening to them and appreciating the things that they tell you, the more open that they will be with you when discussing not-so-popular topics. One good way of ensuring a solid line of communication in a relationship is to set aside a ten to twenty minute period once a day to let each other know what’s on your mind. By doing this, you can help yourselves to getting possible problems off of your chest before they grow into unsolvable issues. When you have this daily discussion, it’s important to put aside all distractions. Turn the television off, leave your cellular phone elsewhere, and be sure that the room is free of distraction, ensuring that you hold your partners attention. One good practice that is commonly used in conversation is to respond with both body language and spoken language when your partner tells you something. Affirm what they were saying by repeating back what you took from what they said, and use positive body language to show them that you truly want to know what they have to say.
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Most problems arise because people cannot sustain effective communication. Cultivating the art of listening helps to build bridges and enhance relationships, says Santosh Babu

All happy families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Thus begins Leo Tolstoy’s epic Anna Karenina. What he meant, perhaps, is that communication is complete when the mind is happy and uninhibited, and distortion creeps in when the mood is sullen and sad. Most problems in an organization, family or group are the result of people failing to communicate. Haven’t you often said “You don’t understand what I say” or words to that effect? Communication is the exchange or flow of information and ideas between one person and another. Technically, it involves a sender passing on an idea to a receiver. Effective communication occurs when the receiver comprehends the information or idea that the sender intends to convey.

What does a communication process involve? You have an idea that you need to communicate, and a message is sent to the receiver, either verbally or non-verbally. The receiver then translates the words or nonverbal gestures into a concept or information. Let’s take, for example, this message: “You are very intelligent.” Would this message carry the same meaning to the receiver every time you voice these words?
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Communications skill is an important skill that you need to master if you want to advance the corporate ladder. It is almost important in maintaining your personal relationship with your family, friends etc

Here are 7 ways to improve your communication skills

1) Learn to listen. An important aspect of good communication is to be able to listen well. Do not attempt to make a conclusion unless after you have listened and understood what is being said.

2) Jump to conclusion. Do not jump to conclusion too soon based on what you have listened. Always try to listen to the other side of the coin so you can make the best judgement.
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Living with strangers, or even friends, can be challenging - especially if it’s your first time living away from home. While you can introduce a ‘family’ atmosphere to an apartment full of strangers, it’s important to realize that new boundaries apply.

Living with Friends vs. Strangers

Living with friends can either be a very rewarding experience or a very trying experience, depending on your relationship history.

Some of the benefits of living with friends include knowing whether or not they’re reliable. You have an idea of their financial history and whether you can trust them to pay the apartment rent on time.
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