Mastering the Art of Super Communication: The Power of Listening
Effective communication transcends barriers, even in the most unlikely circumstances. Becoming a super-communicator means having the ability to say precisely the right thing to connect with almost anyone. According to George Bernard Shaw, “The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
Within certain groups, a unique level of trust develops, allowing
individuals to finish each other’s sentences. While this can sometimes be perceived as annoying, it also signifies an exceptionally high level of trust and camaraderie.
Unlocking Opportunities for Connection:
To become an exceptional communicator, start by perceiving opportunities for connection with others. Here are some strategies to enhance your communication skills:
Ask Deep Questions:
Move beyond surface-level inquiries. While shallow questions—such as asking about the time or temperature—are popular and may be essential at times, deeper questions foster emotional communication.
Instead of merely asking about someone’s occupation, inquire about what they genuinely enjoy about their job. Explore profound topics like dreams and personal understanding. Show a genuine interest in understanding others and learn from them.
Prove You’re Listening:
Even before we learn to speak, we learn to listen. When engaging in conversation, actively listen. People appreciate it when someone genuinely wants to understand them. Demonstrating attentive listening builds trust and strengthens relationships. Be the person who truly hears, responds and comprehends.
Speak Clearly:
Clear communication begins with proper articulation. Listening can be easy when the hearing is easy. Too many people exaggerate their vowels at the expense of their consonants. Mumbling is common— hearing aids can’t help. Learn to project your voice outward and speak dramatically with conviction.
Avoid Monologues:
Many speakers fail to notice how listeners react. Talking excessively can lead to shutdowns and wasted time. Remember that effective communication involves both speaking and listening. Strike an easy, comfortable balance for all involved.
What is Desired:
Determine what the other person needs or wants. Sometimes, the simplest approach is to ask directly. Understanding desires leads to more productive conversations.
Match Emotions:
Even before we learn to speak, we also understand how to communicate through body language, voice inflection, grimaces, laughs and gestures. Emotions are rarely put into words. The key to “intuit” feelings is the ability to read nonverbal channels: tone of voice, gestures, expressions, etc. Look for crossed arms, down-cast eyes, or a monotone voice. Read, detect and understand each other's emotions even when they are unspoken.
Words, tones, postures, gestures and facial expressions can be a gold mind of information. NASA selected a group after they had worked out exactly what an astronaut's qualities should be. Astronauts must be able to work with each other in confined spaces. They need to know how to match emotions with each other. The chosen candidates that were endorsed took this seriously and became some of the most successful astronauts in NASA’s history.
Communication is a learnable skill. There are moments when a curious question, a silent laugh or an empathetic expression can carve a new path. We can all learn how to hear what's unsaid and to speak so that others want to listen. The right conversation at the right moment can change absolutely everything and create a closer community.
09/08/24