Listening isn’t simply about giving another person the chance to vocalize what’s on their mind, although this is valuable in its own right. Listening
Everyday Habits and Exercises to Improve Your Communication Skills and Social Intelligence
Day 1: Listen
Before you even think about your responses to other people, you need to sharpen your listening skills. Have you ever had a conversation with someone whose body is there, but their mind is not? Frustrating, isn’t it?
Poor communicators think that “listening” is merely the act of waiting for their turn to speak all while mentally composing their response. This is a grave mistake. Listening is so much more – it’s a way of providing someone else the chance to share their thoughts and ideas, to build emotional intimacy, and to show empathy.
Today, you’re going to learn the basics of great listening, and then undertake an exercise that will allow you to put these tips into practice.
Listening isn’t simply about giving another person the chance to vocalize what’s on their mind, although this is valuable in its own right. Listening is also the first step towards personal change.
Day 2: Count The Number Of Times You Interrupt Other People
If you had to identify the most annoying communication habit ever, what would it be? Admittedly there are a lot of contenders, but most of us agree that being interrupted is among the most irritating. Today, you’re going to examine how often you interrupt other people, and then work on giving your conversation partners the time and space they deserve.
Interrupting people is easy to do. For example, if you participate in a heated discussion, you might want to jump right in to exert your voice. If you’re passionate about an idea, your enthusiasm might bubble to the surface.
But that’s where the challenge lies. Even if your ideas are excellent, your conversation partner will be too annoyed to give them the attention they deserve if you interrupt. By your interruption, you’re insinuating that your thoughts and ideas are more important than theirs. As you know from personal experience, interruptions derail your train of thought.
Day 3: Become An Inclusive Communicator
When it comes to politics and social issues, we all have our own opinions.
Yet one thing most of us can agree on is that everyone, regardless of their background or individual characteristics, deserves to be treated with respect.
Today, you will learn about the importance of inclusive communication.
What is “inclusive communication” anyway?
In a nutshell, a good inclusive communicator takes care not to alienate or offend an entire group of people based on their personal attributes. They do not make assumptions based on an individual’s characteristics. Inclusive communication acknowledges and values diversity.
