How To Communicate Better With Other People? 6 Useful Tips
Communication is a good part of who we are. No person exists as a solitary island, we always evolve as human beings in contact with others, regardless of whether we enjoy most social relationships or not.
That’s why, Many people are worried about one question: “how to communicate better with other people?”
Learning to make yourself understood and interact correctly with others is so important. In this article we will see several tips on how to communicate better with others based on simple ideas to apply to your day-to-day habits.
Before looking at the specific techniques to apply in your social relationships to better connect with those around you, it is important to understand some basic principles of communication, whether in the field of friendship, as a couple or at work They are the following.
1. You are responsible for making yourself understood
Does that old saying “I’m responsible for what I say, not what you understand” ring a bell? Well, it will interest you that that is false, or at least partially false. Communication does not work as a data packet transmission system that one emits outwards and that’s it; It is something much more dynamic, we have to participate in the process by which the other person interprets what we say.
This is because the simple fact of being a different person from the recipient already makes our point of view and experiences lived in the past and present different, which means that no matter how well we do it, misunderstandings can always appear.
2. You have to put yourself in the shoes of others
This advice follows from the previous one, given that the communication process is something dynamic and you have to make sure there are no errors It is not enough to have a rough idea of the type of ideas or questions that arise in the mind of the interlocutor; We must also take into account the emotional state that accompanies each of these cognitive processes.
3. You have to take into account the context
Beyond the individuals involved in an act of communication is the context, and this conditions both what is said and how what is said is interpreted which should always be considered a very important factor.
For example, saying something in a meeting in a restaurant is not the same as saying something in the office where you work and one of the two being the boss of the company. The situation in which the social interaction takes place can even turn the meaning of words on their head.
4. Never forget non-verbal language
It is impossible not to communicate through non-verbal language so do not forget about this factor, because whether you want it or not, what you do in this sense will be perceived and interpreted by others, and you will do the same when observing others even if you do not realize it.
Techniques to express yourself better and connect with other people
Given the above, we can now move on to see several tips on how to communicate better with others and make this improve your social relationships.
1. Adapt your language
It is very important to adapt the language to the conversation you are having, especially considering two factors: the training and educational level of those listening, and the context in which the conversation occurs
For example, if you are involved in biology research and want to explain what a breed of dog you have at home is like, you should definitely avoid using highly technical jargon, unless the other person asks you to explain those details.
On the other hand, if you are in a professional context, it is likely that it will not be viewed favorably for you to express yourself as you would with your lifelong friends; As much as this is an arbitrary imposition, failing to comply with these unwritten rules can overshadow the content of your message, in addition to eroding your image in many cases.
2. Look in the eyes
This is possibly one of the simplest yet most basic tips on how to communicate better. If you don’t do this, a strange situation will arise in which it will be difficult to interpret what you say, since your intentions will not be clear (since you will be talking but at the same time show that you would like to be anywhere else but having that conversation).
Of course, so that you don’t become obsessed with something so basic, it is better that you worry about not stopping looking into the eyes for many seconds in a row, rather than focusing on looking into the eyes all the time. The ideal is to do it with a spontaneity that allows you to forget about the matter unless you detect that you are not complying.
Sometimes we can be tempted to express out loud prejudices about others, whether positive or negative, even if only to generate conversation. Avoid this. In any case, ask questions to allow others to learn more.
4. Notice if the other person feels nervous
Sometimes you will encounter people who are prone to feeling nervous during conversations, especially if they know you very little.
By detecting these signs of stress, Show them your complicity and use strategies to release tension and generate a more relaxed atmosphere: make a joke, adopt relaxed non-verbal language, show that you take the other person seriously and care what they think of you, etc.
5. Practice active listening
When they talk to you, don’t adopt a passive attitude. Even if you have to remain silent, show signs that you are paying attention: look in the eyes, nod, react with some exclamations depending on the emotions that what you hear provokes in you, and occasionally, add small comments or ask questions related to the topic (as long as they do not involve telling a very long story that is not very important in that situation). This is what is known as active listening.
6. Don’t try to fill the silences with words
You don’t have to be afraid of silence ; They are another communicative tool. In fact, many of the great interviewers use it constantly to create the conversational climate they want; You can do the same.
