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Improved communication skills

Improved communication skills

Communication is one of your most important attributes. You cannot do the work, all by yourself: so you must gain the cooperation of others.

In order to do that, you must communicate effectively.

In order to do that: you should study and improve your communication skills!

You should study two forms of communication skills

1. How to communicate in order to transfer information.

2. How to communicate in order to affect their emotions.

The following is intended to help you gain improvements the first aspect of communication:

How to communicate in order to transfer information.

One: structure your message
Structure your message: Put your thoughts into order.

A disordered message, even if it has all the necessary elements, does not make a good communication:
The components of a computer do not become a computer, until all the components are in the right place and linked to each other in a logical way.

Similarly

The components of a communication do not become a communication, even if it has all the necessary elements, until all the components are in the right place and linked to each other in a logical way.

Two: Decide in advance how to structure your material
As a speaker or writer you can structure your material in one of two ways.

Deductive or inductive

Deductive
In a deductive message: What you believe is stated first: followed by reason why you believe it.

This is called a deductive presentation.

Or the opposite approach is Inductive:
Reasons are stated first, followed by your conclusions and beliefs.

This is called an inductive presentation.

Three: Persuade, Inform or Explain
If you wish to Inform or Explain, then, as a general rule: Use the deductive method: Conclusions first, then reasons.

But if you wish to persuade, then use the inductive method: Reasons first, leading to conclusions.

When you are listening
When you are listening, listen out for the corresponding two elements:

1. The other person’s conclusions : i.e. what he believes to be true
2. The Reasons for so believing:

If in doubt
If you are in doubt about either:
1. What he thinks is true
2. Why he thinks it

Then ask!

As a listener
Identify the conclusion and try to get at least ONE reason

As a reader
Underline all conclusions statements and check the reasoning makes sense.

An Exercise
Read the following
Underline the sentence which you consider to be the “conclusion sentence”:
I.e. which of the four sentences, is the sentence that holds the main point of whole piece.

Wayne Rooney
1. Wayne Rooney has a natural talent
2. He has developed that talent through years of intense training
3. He entertains millions of people around the world
4. He does deserve his multi million pound salary
5. His career is relatively short as top level athletes.

Summary
One: Structure your message
Two: Decide in advance how to structure your material- inductive or deductive?
Three: Persuade, Inform or Explain
Four: If you are in doubt, ask.
Five: As a listener, Identify the conclusion and try to get at least ONE reason
Six: As a reader underline all conclusions statements and check the reasoning makes sense.

For more information about communication skills training visit the Corporate Coach Group website

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