• Question: How can we communicate more effectively?

    Asked by anon-357949 on 13 Mar 2023.
    • Photo: Emily McDougal

      Emily McDougal answered on 13 Mar 2023:

      I think the key to communication is understanding the context of the person or people you’re communicating with. People have their own preferences for communication style and being able to adapt the way you communicate to the needs of that other person should lead to being better understood.

    • Photo: Hannah Fawcett

      Hannah Fawcett answered on 14 Mar 2023:

      Effective communication is all about listening! Ask yourself ‘am I listening to hear what the other person says, or am I listening so I can share what I want to say?’. Trying to ‘actively listen’ by paying complete attention to the speaker, angling your body to them, and nodding your head, smiling etc. By focusing on their thoughts, feelings and intentions (rather than our own) we can help them feel heard and so encourage others to share with us. This will help others to perceive us as great listeners, and help us to communicate effectively to match the speaker’s needs. It’s a skill that takes practice but every conversation is practice time!

    • Photo: Joanne Cummings

      Joanne Cummings answered on 14 Mar 2023:

      I think one of the most important aspects of communication is listening. We often do not listen properly and that can lead to mis-understandings. Listening effectively is a skill that can improve over time with practice.

    • Photo: Eileen Xu

      Eileen Xu answered on 15 Mar 2023:

      I think it’s important to keep in mind that different people communicate differently. Being patient and listening is really valuable in communication, and making sure everyone feels accommodated. That might mean not making eye contact if the other person doesn’t want to, noticing body language and communicating through text instead of a phone call.

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