1. The best
communicators don't rub their great day in face of someone's bad
day
People with strong communication skills come in all shapes and
sizes.
However, one of the
characteristics that runs consistent is they consider the
feelings of others, before sharing their own.
This does not mean they don't feel the urge to share their good
news with the world. Like most people, they do. However, unlike
most people, strong communicators demonstrate self-control by
first making sure the people they are with are up for
celebrating.
They do this by giving the non-verbal communication signs of
others the respect they deserve. Body language is huge. Facial
expressions are huge.
Strong communicators
understand this, and if someone is slouching and their face
shows the lines of a hard day, they refrain from taking the
stage, and instead pull up a chair.
2.
The best communicators don't respond negatively to criticism
The best way to positively accept negative criticism is by being
proactive in asking for it.
This is for the
simple reason that it makes it hard to get angry at someone for
telling you something you asked to hear. Strong communicators
understand this, and as a result they open themselves up to it
every chance they get.
However, this doesn't mean the feedback they receive doesn't
sting.
At times, it does, but instead of justifying their
reasoning and subsequent actions, people with strong
communication skills take it on the chin.
Only to open their
mouths to thank the person that was kind enough to give it to
them.
3. The best
communicators don't talk over people
The second you interrupt someone, is the moment they begin to
lose them.
Strong communicators
understand this. As a result, unlike most people who jump the
gates before being given the green light, strong communicators
are patient and wait until it is their turn to speak.
However, lots of people do that. What separates strong
communicators from the rest, is they reel themselves back into
the conversation.
They do this by
reminding themselves to stop thinking about what they want to
say, so they can actually listen to what the person in front of
them is saying.
The best
communicators are learners, and they know that the greatest
present they can give to another is their presence.
4. The best
communicators don't one-up others
If someone is happy they accomplished one of their goals, the
best communicators do not tell that person their best is their
average.
Instead they take the
time to notice the glimmer of pride in their eyes and then they
do what they can to make them shine even brighter.
So when someone has good news to share, strong communicators
quietly grab the spotlight and shine it directly on them,
instead of redirecting it onto themselves.
They do this because
they know that life is not a competition, and they recognize
that everyone's starting line is different.
On top of that, they
have also learned that the speed it takes to reach their own
goals, intensifies the more they help others to reach theirs.
5. The best
communicators do not argue about meaningless stuff
Having strong communication skills is all about moving people
forward, and arguing about trivial things is the fastest way to
ensure both parties don't.
Strong communicators
understand this. As a result, when something is not to their
pleasing, they take the time to gauge whether or not it is worth
their energy.
If it isn't, they
shut their mouth and nod their head.
However, don't confuse this with being a pushover. Great
communicators are not pushovers.
They simply know how
difficult it is to change the minds of others because they know
how hard it is for other people to change theirs.
6. The best
communicators don't try and solve everyone's problems
Not everyone is looking for you to provide them with a solution
when they are talking about their problems.
Sometimes people just
need to talk.
The best communications understand this because
experience has taught them, that more times than not, the best
way to strengthen a relationship is by offering a supportive ear
instead of running their mouth.
So the next time someone reaches out to you and says they need
to talk, steal a line from strong communicators, and let them.
Your relationships
will thank you for it.
