Biz tip: Words just one form of getting message across

From daily conversations to strategic planning meetings the one tool used over and over is communication. But are you being effective?
The spoken word is powerful, but there is another kind of communication – body language. Depending on how used, talking and body language can make for a productive exchange or destroy the moment.

Perhaps the most significant form of communication, though, is listening.

So the three components of communication are:

  • Talking (verbalizing)
  • Body language
  • Listening

Understanding these components and the impact on you and others is critical to getting what you want – your desired outcome.

Talking purposefully is energizing and effective. When you go into a discussion or conversation prepared with knowing what you want to get out of the exchange, you are able to focus and stay on track. 

Remember, listening plays a very big part. 

If I had to rank these three in order of importance, it would be: 1) listening, 2) body language and 3) verbalizing.

Take a minute to reflect on a recent conversation. It could be with a significant other, a friend or colleague. Do you remember how it went?

Were you forming your response while the other person was talking, or were you asking for more information from the person with statements like “Help me understand” or “If I heard you correctly …”

See the difference? 

Effective communication uses “empathic listening.” Simply put, it is a way of truly understanding what the other individual is saying — really saying — and not formulating your response while the other person is talking. Responding as quickly as possible is the norm. It shouldn’t be.