The Art of Modern Communication
Modern technologies and the ever-growing web are making communication around the world possible in a matter of seconds.
Let’s have a look at How Modern Communication Skills Work
The first important step in modern communication is looking at the person you are trying to communicate with.
Look for all those non-verbal clues and you will discover how the person is really receiving the message you are giving her.
Essential Communication
In our everyday lives, communication is almost as essential as breathing, whether we like it or not.
Modern technologies and the ever-growing web are making communication around the world possible in a matter of seconds.
Why are interpersonal exchanges so unproductive then?
Why is there more misunderstanding and divorces than ever?
The Art of Modern Communication
Part of the answer is that in our stressful, ever-rapid-changing society, we have forgotten the art of communication.
Furthermore, we are all prone to one or more of the seven key barriers to communication that can weaken our ability to interact effectively with others.
The first important step in modern communication is looking at the person you are trying to communicate with.
Look for all those non-verbal clues and you will discover how the person is really receiving the message you are giving her.
Body Language
The body language is way truer than the words spoken.
If a person says: “Yes, I am feeling good” with a grin on her face, her subconscious mind is reaching out to you.
I have very often reflected on the non-verbal messages I was picking up from my patients.
It always turned out to be a manifestation of their true feelings.
They were very relieved to be able to open up once I showed my receptivity.
You Are Not Important
This is the reason if a person is with another person, a prolonged cell phone conversation with other people just spells out; “You are not that important to me.
I would rather talk about futilities with this remote person.” …so close your cell phones if you are already with someone.
Next, it has been described that people prefer certain communication modes more than others.
A person who likes to see things is said to function more in a visual mode.
For example, if I buy an e-book, I always have to print it and see it on paper.
I also learn way more efficiently if I write the material I have to learn.
Visual People
Visual persons will express themselves with expressions like; “Nice to see you. Let’s be clear on that. I get the picture”, etc.
Let’s say for example that you start paying attention and you find out that your superior at work operates more on a visual pattern.
You can use this knowledge whenever you address him with a report or a note by providing him with colourful graphics and always leave him a printed version of what you have told him so he can look at it later.
Auditory People
Second, some people are said to be more auditory.
They love to hear stuff.
They usually have expressions like: “I hear you. Listen! Life is a sweet melody”, etc.
You will have more success with them by talking and playing with words.
Kinesthetic People
Other people are said to be kinesthetic.
They learn and interact with their environment by touching and feeling the different textures.
I realised that children are naturally kinaesthetic when I went to the flea market with three of my children and I must have said: “Don’t touch!” at least sixty times in one hour.
If you look at babies their whole world is explored by going through their hands, feet and mouth.
We lose this marvellous way of communicating from all the interdiction around us and it is sad.
I know that next time I go shopping with my children, instead of forbidding them to touch anything, I will touch everything with them!
Olfactory People
There is nothing like a good perfume for an olfactory person but tastes vary so much in this area that it is hard to please everyone.
We do not operate on just one mode but most people have a mode they favour.
Once you know this, you can create way more productive exchanges with people around you.
Hence, by addressing them in their favourite mode, you will be able to create a more efficient communication.
This is the reason why so many children are incorrectly labelled ADD or ADHD and fed potent drugs.
If only the school systems understood that they would get way better success by offering children to learn in whatever mode they function best.
Parents have a saying on how their children are thought.
What can YOU get out of all this?
First, be curious and discover your favourite mode of communication.
You can then use this strength to be more efficient in your work or at home.
Then, you can explore the other modes and open up to a whole new world.
Next, have fun discovering the other person’s dominant mode of modern communication.
Then, you can use this new knowledge to interact more efficiently with the people around you.
When addressing a crowd, it is best to aim at reaching the most people possible by having an auditory presentation, and visual material and having kinaesthetic people enjoy themselves by having them move around or write notes.
The bottom of it all though is: The basis of modern communication will always be to look at a person in the eyes when they are talking and caring sincerely, it always shows!
This article was contributed by Dr Nathalie Fiset
The Art of Modern Communication
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