Every single person can improve upon communication skills. Whether it’s at work, with friends, or with a partner, communication is an important part of creating and maintaining healthy relationships. Communication is not limited to just speaking well, but also encompasses one’s ability to listen.
There are many different types of communicators, but in business, people are often grouped into four categories: Analytical, Intuitive, Functional and Personal. An Analytical communicator is often data driven, task oriented and love detail. Intuitive communicators like to look at the big picture and tend to get bogged down by too many details. Functional communicators have a tendency towards enjoying the process and use a systematic approach to communication. Finally, Personal communicators desire connection, empathy, and emotions within their communication. As a leader, and even as an employee, it is useful to be able to identify your own communication style, as well as those around you.
In relationships, couples often struggle with the concept and implementation of healthy communication skills. Oftentimes communication is the real issue, and the arguments just reinforce poor communication. Knowing when to take a step back from an argument can help improve communication. When you are angry or heated, it is sometimes hard to communicate things clearly. Taking a step back, and a few minutes to reorganize your thoughts can help both you and your partner to better communicate and better understand what the fight is really about. Once you have taken that step back, it is good practice to acknowledge what your partner is saying, even if you do not necessarily agree. Acknowledging and validating your partner’s feelings can help to show that you are actively listening to their concerns, and can help diffuse the issue in potential future fights. Communication is in play even when you and your partner are not in the same room. Sending a text, or making a call to show that you are thinking about them when you are apart can help show that you care. Lastly, it is important to be able to communicate about when you are ready to communicate. For example: your partner approaches you with an issue, but you had a horrible day at work. Is this the right time to have a level headed conversation about a hot button topic? Probably not, especially if you want the exchange to be a healthy one. Being able to communicate to your partner that you “would like to talk about the issue, but now is not the right time” can help your partner to understand your boundaries. As silly as it sounds, rescheduling that important conversation for a time when you are less stressed out may make it a more successful conversation.
Being able to effectively communicate with those around you can help improve your quality of life, as well as the quality of life of those around you. And if you can’t figure it out on your own, there are professionals (like us) to help guide you. You are still strong and valuable if you ask for help.
References:
Boyes, A. (2019, February 20). 4 Communication Skills Every Couple Needs. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/201902/4-communication-skills-every-couple-needs
Flaxington, B. D. (2019, July 18). A Secret to Great Communication. Retrieved
from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understand-other-people/201907/secret-great-communication
Gunther, R. (2019, January 31). The Two Most Important Communication Skills. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rediscovering-love/201901/the-two-most-important-communication-skills
Horton, A. P. (2019, January 24). These are 4 styles of communication that you need to know. Retrieved
from https://www.fastcompany.com/90296536/these-are-4-styles-of-communication-that-you-need-to-know