Effective Communication
Effective communication is essential in daily interactions, particularly in the workplace. It can be broken down into three key parts:
1. Listening
- Involves more than just hearing words.
- Includes:
- Non-verbal cues: Body language, facial expressions
- Voice modulation: Tone and pitch of voice
2. Understanding
- Refers to giving meaning to the words heard.
- Most communication breakdowns occur here due to misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
- Example:
- If a boss asks about the completion of a task:
- Misinterpretation as blame can lead to anger.
- Correct interpretation as a status check fosters a more positive response.
- Interpretation is influenced by automatic thoughts that arise during listening.
3. Responding
- Correct interpretation leads to appropriate responses.
- Reducing communication errors can enhance productivity at work.
Additional Resources