Communication Theory

In all our relationships and interactions with people, clear and honest communication is key. So, when I say honest, it's more important to be honest with yourself because through that process you'll end up being honest with the person with whom you're communicating.

Your communication methods determine how people see you. It's verbal and non verbal. How successful can you be at capturing attention of those around you without words and being able to keep their attention once you open your mouth? Those that can't maintain both, I liken to the cute girls/guys in the club that can't complete a sentence with good subject verb agreement. LoL. Cute face, no brains.

On the job everyone (well, most people) are on their best behavior. We're polite, we say please and thank you. We think before we speak to ensure that another person's feelings aren't stepped on so the next day, you can still have a good "working" relationship right? Keep the office progressive and productive, right?! Of course we can't be our "real"selves at work, not 100%, because for some of us (not me of course ;-) that would be our last job!

But what about those more intimate relationships? You know the ones...mother /daughter; father/son; husband/wife; sibling-to-sibling; BFF-to-BFF. These relationships are already built on such a strong foundation. Whether its blood, friendship, friendship + marriage, the foundation is there and is usually (hopefully & prayerfully) strong. So, why is it that these are the relationships that it's easiest for us to neglect when it comes to our communication "best practices"? We marketers talk a lot about best practices...ya know, SEM, Email marketing..okay, maybe you don't know, but you don't have to be a marketer to continue your innate best
practices in your private life as much as you use them in your professional life.

With that, for my readers I will list a few communication best practices for us all to implement. The below is in no particular order, after reading, you'll know what you need to work on.

1. Speak with Conviction - No one likes a pushover, however you can get the same point across without the hostility in your tone and cruelty in your words. Yes, whether you like/agree/care what the person is talking about, it can be accomplished without being an asshole!
2. Listen Loud- Listening seems so simple until its your turn to do it, right? I know I'm guilty of this myself. Someone will start talking and I don't agree so I interrupt to make my point before they finish theirs. Or, I'll be caught up listening to my own thoughts, I may have missed a point they were trying to make. Come to find out, I don't disagree, yet had I been listening...I would have known that. Listening is the most important part of communication!
3. Know Thy Self - No one knows you better than you do! Do yourself justice by being honest with yourself, checking your ego/attitude/fustration at the door, so that you don't create negative communication habbits between your co-workers, family and friends.
4. Embrace Diverse Perspectives - My mom always used to say, "if everyone looked the same, thought the same, talked the same, how boring would th world be?" What a true statement! No one will see issues and events the same way that you do, but that doesn't mean they are wrong for having a different perspective. Open your mind and your ears.
5. Respect, Appreciate, Agree - This is a 3-in-1 because I'm getting sleeply. We can improve almost any relationship by finding something we honestly like or respect about the other person (even with an opponent). But we miss opportunities to build these emotional bridges because we are attracted to the activity and motion of conflict. The attraction to conflict and anger is very dangerous, you might hurt yourself in attempt to hurt someone else.
   

Goodnight people! I may add something to this, but I've gotta lay it down. Another job interview in the morning. Peace ~