| Personal communication can be a challenged | | | | smile will get you far. If you have employees, you |
| especially when strong emotions, beliefs, principles | | | | need to make emphasize on the need for your |
| or convictions are involved. These things may | | | | staff to acknowledge people’s presence. No |
| make it difficult for you to listen to someone else. | | | | one appreciates being overlooked or ignored. It |
| Sometimes, you may find yourself willing to listen, | | | | doesn’t take a lot to acknowledge |
| but the other person wouldn’t be as | | | | people’s presence. Simple gestures often |
| generous. When this happens, you have to | | | | suffice. You just need to let the person know he |
| remember that the key to good personal | | | | or she is seen. |
| communication lies on your willingness to let | | | | How to Listen Effectively |
| someone know that you are wiling to be there | | | | Regardless of the situation, you need to know |
| for the person and to listen to him or her. | | | | how to listen effectively if you want to build a |
| I am Here! I am Listening! | | | | strong personal communication with another |
| The implication of this commitment to personal | | | | person. To some people, listening does not come |
| communication is huge. This means that you need | | | | naturally. If you are one of them, you may have |
| to be fully present completely. You need to | | | | to devote some time to learning and developing |
| devote your entire attention to listening and | | | | these skills. |
| understanding what the other person has to say. | | | | When talking to someone, it is important that you |
| This means putting the person above anything | | | | know your intentions. Ask yourself, "Why should I |
| else that you could be doing at that precise | | | | listen to this person?" You need to be calm in |
| moment. It is saying, "There is nowhere else | | | | order to connect more effectively. If you have a |
| I’d rather be than here." | | | | customer raging at you for a bad service, you will |
| You can’t allow your thoughts to wander and | | | | hardly be able to sort out the problem if you are |
| you can’t let yourself be distracted by other | | | | not calm. The same technique can be used when |
| things. You need to devote your attention to the | | | | dealing with personal issues with another person. |
| person you are talking to. Personal communication | | | | Now, the minute the other person speaks, you |
| requires that you need to be in the present in | | | | should direct your attention on him or her. |
| order to hear what the other person has to say. | | | | Don’t let your mind wander. Many people fail |
| Acknowledge the Other Person | | | | to listen effectively because they do not really |
| In order to get your commitment across, you | | | | hear what the other person is saying because |
| need to acknowledge the other person. This is | | | | they are focused on figuring out what they are |
| another secret to a successful personal | | | | going to say next. In order to build better |
| communication. Everyone wants to be | | | | personal communication skill, you need to learn to |
| acknowledged and if a person is talking to you, he | | | | empathize and you can only do this if you start |
| or she expects that you will acknowledge his or | | | | listening. You will realize that if you would really |
| her presence as well. You also need to | | | | bother to listen, you would eventually find yourself |
| acknowledge the other person’s right to his | | | | really interested to hear more. |
| opinions, thoughts and beliefs. You may not | | | | Take time, however, to react. Take at least half |
| necessarily agree but you have to offer some | | | | a minute to respond. Process your thoughts, so |
| form of validation. You need to show respect for | | | | you will know exactly the right thing to say. Many |
| the other person’s thoughts and opinions. | | | | people do not bother to this, so they often end |
| Manifesting Personal Communication Skills | | | | up with their foot in their mouth. |
| You can definitely improve your skills for personal | | | | Personal communication starts with wanting to |
| communication. You can start with friendly | | | | understand. This is actually the crucial |
| gestures like a smile or a positive greeting. These | | | | characteristic of listening. The minute you have |
| skills are particular important if you are working in | | | | someone in need of your attention, make sure |
| a company. They will also help you especially if | | | | that you direct your attention to the person |
| your job involves relating to people constantly. A | | | | wholly. |