What are some effective communication techniques?
I’ve been failing at human communication for 26 years now, so I think I’m more than qualified to answer this.
Over the years, I have pulled countless communication dossiers.
I have wiggled my way around questions, nodded my head when I should have shaken it, said “yes” when I mean to say “no,” refused to ask for help, failed to give compliments, and I hated saying “sorry.”
I started getting a little better each year since 2011, so I’m improving.
Here are six communication life hacks from those past six years:
1. When you don’t understand something, say: “I don’t understand.”
People will explain again.
2. When you don’t agree with something, say: “I don’t agree.”
People will respect your opinion.
3. When you don’t want to do something, say: “No, thank you, I don’t want to do this.”
People will find a way without you.
4. When you want something, say: “Excuse me, can you help me with this?”
People will be happy to give you a hand.
5. When you like someone, say: “I like you.”
People will like you too.
6. When you know you did something wrong, say: “I’m sorry. That was my fault.”
People will forgive you.
I think those are all the communication life hacks you need to know.
And whenever you apply one of them, do this next: listen.
After all…
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. ~Epictetus
