Have you ever gotten stuck in a conversation unable to express your true feelings?
Effective communication is a complex business. If you go into it expecting things to flow easily and without a lot of effort, you're just kidding yourself. I recommend that you adjust your expectations from "simple" to "complex," especially in three key areas:
First, expect problems and misunderstandings. Even the best communicators sometimes fail to understand others, or they fall short of making themselves understood. Keep in mind that we're all human. Often you don't even know for sure why you act or feel a certain way.
Second, expect that you'll need a lot of patience. Effective communication takes time. Be careful. Recognize that effective communication deserves patience and a deliberate attempt to understand not only the words being said but also the emotions behind the words. Slow down until you get that.
Finally, expect a lot of trial and error. People have different ways of communicating. While all of us can master and use a powerful set of tools for effective communication, the way we use those tools varies from person to person—and that requires trial and error.
It takes trial and error to get good at any skill—and that includes the skill of communicating effectively.
Print this page
E-mail this page
Bookmark this page
Back to top