| Here are six tips for improving your communication | | | | lecturing her to hear her. He learned that adjusting his |
| style: | | | | style to his daughter would involve listening first |
| 1. Knowing how to improve communication skills will | | | | before jumping right into solving the problem. |
| come easier once you become aware of your own | | | | 4. To build rapport, during a conversation try and |
| communication style. | | | | match the other person's movements, posture and |
| Each person has a unique way of communicating. | | | | verbal style. Don't do everything they do, but mirror |
| Listen to your own speech. What sorts of words do | | | | one or two things. For example, if the person gives |
| you use? Which sort of body language and what | | | | mostly short answers to questions, you follow suit. |
| tone of voice are you using? | | | | Or, maybe they talk at a slower pace than you |
| Now, think of someone who, in your opinion, is a | | | | usually do-slow your speaking speed to match theirs. |
| good communicator. Compare your style to theirs. | | | | This may sound simplistic but it is a very potent way |
| You've just taken an important first step in how to | | | | to make someone feel very relaxed and comfortable |
| improve communication skills. | | | | in your presence. |
| 2. Now that you are aware of your own style, study | | | | 5. The way you communicate at home may not be |
| the style of those around you. How do the most | | | | the same as in a different environment. Make sure |
| important people in your life converse? How do they | | | | you change your style to suit the different setting. |
| say things? Look for approaches you can model and | | | | Some comments you might want to tell your best |
| make your own. | | | | friend, in private. |
| 3. Adjust to the other styles of communication. Don't | | | | Other things can be shared in a group setting. Learn |
| think it is too late to change your way of conversing | | | | how to improve communication skills by altering your |
| because it's been years. You had to learn to | | | | style for the appropriate setting. Many of us know |
| communicate in the first place and you can unlearn | | | | someone who offers far too much information in a |
| certain behaviors or change them. Sometimes we get | | | | group setting. |
| stuck in a communication rut. | | | | 6. Don't criticize others for communicating differently. |
| A father once was having a hard time with his | | | | If we all communicated in the same way, we'd soon |
| teenaged daughter. She was growing and he thought | | | | be bored with each other. |
| she didn't tell him what was going on in her life. They | | | | Getting a good grasp of your communication style |
| were in a heated discussion when he asked, "Why | | | | and finding ways to accommodate other peoples' |
| didn't you tell me?" | | | | styles, is a good way to improve your communication |
| Her answer was that she had, but he was too busy | | | | skills. |