Communication pros often need help themselves

The purpose of the communications industry is to help companies communicate powerfully. The success rate of the industry is unquestionable. However, it is not unusual to observe less-than-effective interpersonal skills among employees within communications businesses. Seven techniques are available to combat this inconsistency.

?Reduce the tendency to dominate. A person too enthusiastic about his ideas will tend to be overbearing. Signs include frequent interruptions, dogged restating of opinions, forcefully asserting views, being highly critical of the beliefs of coworkers and preventing peers from having equal discussion time. Changing these behaviors is easy.

Make an effort not to interrupt. Determine the maximum number of times you will express the same position. Say "I think" or "in my opinion" rather than "obviously" or "everyone knows." Don't immediately judge or criticize an associate's ideas. Monitor the amount of time you spend talking compared to others. As you adjusts your behaviors, you will see a greater willingness by the team to listen to your concepts.

?Adopt a more accepting view of others. It is common to be rubbed the wrong way by at least one person, with no logical reason why. You will be fighting a losing battle if you try to change the person. The solution is to alter your perception of him.

Identify at least five favorable characteristics of the coworker. Observe why other team members like him. Focus only on the colleague's strengths. Over time, you won't notice the negative qualities nearly as much.

?Increase teamwork. More is accomplished together than alone. Do not compete to the point where your actions extinguish cooperation. Create win/win situations by your behaviors.

?Build solid working relationships with peers. Positive, productive relationships with associates are vital to ensure you receive the assistance and knowledge you need to accomplish your goals.

Determine the quality of your working rapport with each colleague. Review any problems and decide what you will do to reach resolutions. Establish a deadline date for achievement. Evaluate your success by asking yourself if the person is more willing to provide information, render feedback and talk about issues.

?Express appropriate nonverbal communication. Only 7 percent of communication comes from the actual words spoken. Vocal tones comprise 38 percent of the flavor of discussions and visual clues the remaining 55 percent.

Show an approving attitude with a relaxed facial expression. Reflect negative emotions by a wrinkled forehead, pursed lips and squinty eyes. To demonstrate power, stand straight, solid and square. Vary the volume, pitch and rate of your speech to project different images.

?Foster open communication. Enhance the flow of information and create stronger professional relationships by clearing channels of communication.

Interact with people candidly and directly. Respond to questions as quickly as possible. Provide positive and constructive feedback. Confront conflicting messages that arise to clarify misunderstandings. Request that others plainly define vague language.

?Use active listening. Listen for a speaker's complete message. Utilize open-ended questions that encourage the person to talk at length. Paraphrase information by stating the conversation in your own words. Use summary statements to increase your understanding of the core idea. Interpret nonverbal messages.

(Lynne Haggerman is president/owner of Haggerman & Associates, an employment, management training, human resources consulting, and outplacement firm.)

[[In-content Ad]]