Self Help

Inevitably when the presentation software comes up on the screen, the lights dim, some people begin to tune out. After all, it’s nice and dark. Some people know what will be said and others don’t really care. Some get irritated, particularly when the presenter simply reads the slides. Some will surreptitiously text their friends during the presentation. Others won’t bother to hide. While a small circle of people around the presenter may look attentive, a significant number of people will not be, which means the time spent in the presentation has not been terribly productive.

What you wear at work makes an individual statement about you that communicates to others. It could be a way of saying to your boss that you’re ready for promotion or, to your colleagues, that you’re a friendly person.

Did you know that our facial expressions are inborn, but are subtly influenced by our families and cultures?

Step 1: You can become a better listener by first deciding to take listening seriously! The first step to improvement is always self-awareness. Analyze your shortcomings as a listener and commit yourself to overcoming them. Good listeners are not born that way. They have worked at learning how to listen effectively. Good listening does not […]

It’s clear that even infants have a great range of nonverbal behaviors - as they smile, crawl, and laugh their way into our hearts. Additional nonverbal behaviors evolve with the child’s development.

Because body language is such a powerful tool, you need to take care when using it - so, before you begin, a few words of caution!

Distractions can destroy listening ability. We are surrounded by noise in the office and at home. We can be distracted by physical barriers, such as the placement of a desk or a seating arrangement in a group meeting, or internal distractions both at home and in the business place.

Most arguments could be avoided if the participants use “active” and “reflective” listening. Most arguments start because one or both of the participants are not listening empathically and non-judgmentally.

There is no such thing as a perfect speech! At some point in every presentation, every speaker says or does something - no matter how minor - that does not come across exactly as he or she had planned.

It may be a cliche, but it is nevertheless true that the key to successful conversation is good listening - this is what makes other people enjoy talking to you.

One element underlying everyone’s personality is which of the senses they favor. Does someone revel most in what they see, hear or touch?

When it comes to reaching an end to a social conflict by use of communication, skill in listening, assertion, and conflict resolution are required in order to use collaborative problem solving. In addition, you need to understand a process that works for you in order to reach a solution that solution.

Whether you are giving a speech to a public audience, talking with members of a company board meeting, or simply offering a sales presentation, there are many tools that can be implemented for success in delivering your speech.

Our human bodies are programmed to have emotions, to signal - both internally and externally - when something wonderful happens and when something awful happens. A love relationship will almost certainly include both of these extremes of feeling.

Paralinguistic communication is the study of voice and how words are said. When we open our mouths we reveal all kinds of things about ourselves that have nothing at all to do with the words we are uttering and manipulating the nonverbal elements of our message can completely change its meaning.

Once you determine the source of conflict by seeing the situation from the other person’s perspective, you can find a compromise that satisfies both of you.

There are many stereotypes that exist when it comes to the differences between men and women. This is especially true when it comes to communication styles between the two sexes.

Women often accuse men of missing many nonverbal cues in the communication process, and research shows this to be true. However, males do focus on the vocal aspects of what is being said - the paralinguistics. And one conclusion that can be drawn from research on vocal quality is that women tend to be more specifically judged on voice traits than are men.

“Know-It-Alls” feel compelled to impress and dominate you with what they believe to be their vast experience and superior knowledge.

When you first meet someone, you have just ten seconds to make an impression on them. Or, to put it another way, in the first ten seconds after meeting a new person, you will be making a particular impression on them whether you like it or not.

Your words and behavior tell people who you are. Human communication and behavior fall into three basic categories: Passiveness; Aggressiveness; Assertiveness.

Eye contact is one of the primal ways of communicating. It serves a crucial role in mother-child bonding. In fact, research conducted in the 1940s showed that the image of two eyes is the minimal visual stimulus infants need to elicit a smile. We also know that eye contact increases adults’ brain activity and heart rates.

In public speaking, you must remember that in verbal communication there are no second chances for the audience to catch your remarks. Keep your talk simple and easy to understand. Effective speeches contain no more than three central points.

An effective method for keeping your cool with an angry person is to concede his right to feel the way he does, even if you disagree. Using an “acknowledgment strategy” allows you to remain calm and objective without having to defend yourself.

Well-written letters of instruction serve as both goodwill and sales letters, so they should be looked on as a special opportunity to increase customer loyalty rather than as a routine and unimportant part of your correspondence.

E-mail is electronic mail that has become to most widely form of communication today, both for personal use and business use. For speed of delivery, e-mail is the quickest way to go.

Research has shown that women make more eye contact than men do. Why should this be so? Below are just a few of the possible reasons why.

There are many styles of contact that people have with one another when communicating during a conflict of sorts. Below we will illustrate to you two styles in particular.

Every year, millions of people write a letter of complaint. Because you are one of the crowd, you’ll want your letter to stand out.

The most effective way a man can improve his communication skills with a woman is by listening to her feelings. This may not be easy since he is coming from a different perspective.

When young boys swear and use tough language, their behavior is often tolerated as normal for their age. We assume that they are trying to act big. Grown men spice up their vocabulary with occasional profanity and it is mostly acceptable. On the other hand, female actions are expected to be more restrained than their male counterparts. This directly affects the communication skills of both females and males.

When sharing feelings with a man, let him know you are not trying to tell him what to do.

4 tips on writing a letter of apology.

Using active listening during an argument is the first step you can take to defuse the situation and solve whatever problems have arisen. Use the following five techniques to defuse conflicts and enhance communication.

Rejection occurs when someone says, “no” to your idea, request, or action. Some people need the approval of other people. They are vulnerable when told “no.” But the assertive person accepts “no” as a denial in a specific situation and doesn’t think that he is being rejected as a person.

Although some apologies can be made in person or over the phone, most need to be written, and written immediately.

When you communicate with another person, your interaction is governed by your particular mindset at the time. Your mindset filters the information you receive and often can prevent you from communicating and listening actively and objectively.

The proper way to apologize is to state that you regret a specific offense. Offer to make amends or, if amends seem definitely called for, announce your intention of making amends as well as indicate how you will do this.

A good communicator knows how to deal with conflict. His goal is not to do away with conflict but to handle it in such a way that it brings about growth and constructive solutions.

Assertive behavior is self-enhancing. When you express your feelings honestly, you usually achieve your goal. You generally feel good about yourself when you choose to behave in an assertive manner, even if your goals are not achieved.

Don’t get in a power struggle. There is a significant relationship between power and authority.

Refusals are never easy to write. It will help if you are clear in your own mind that you do indeed want to say “no”.

The purpose of good listening is to gain maximum understanding. Many people are tuned in only to the words of a speaker or to the body language or the tone of voice and do not listen to the whole message. In understanding a message, each of these is important.

What makes assertive people get what they want when they ask? How are they able to bring more success to the table when it comes to communicating and negotiating?

There is a great difference between what a person intends to say and what a person may actually say. An implicit message is one in which communication is not plainly expressed.

There are two prerequisites that are essential to increase your performance and communications and, at the same time, reduce stress.

All of us have said and have had wrongful thoughts during the heat of the moment.

We can become more capable and successful in relating to others when we choose to develop “proactive” rather than reactive communication.

Are you interested in learning what it takes to become a public speaker? On the other hand, would you just like to learn how to communicate better with your family and friends when you talk to them? Either way you must learn what is appropriate and what is not appropriate when it comes to speaking.

How do you react when you are under pressure? What is the first thing you do when you are being criticized intensely for something that you have done a poor job on? Do you get all shaken up and distraught or do you handle yourself with ease? Do you get offended when people correct you, even though they may be right?