Communication

Communication is a key part in relationships. When communication is off the relationship will almost always turn for the worse. If we do not communicate well with one another then we are not informed what the other one is feeling or thinking. We are not mind readers we need to have communication.

Communication is not just words, it’s a combination of words, tone (how we say things), and nonverbal cues. These nonverbal cues include body language, gestures, and facial expressions.

A large part of our communication is not the words we use:

Words: 14%

Tone: 35%

Nonverbal: 51%

This is because many people don’t trust words, they trust the tone it was said in and the nonverbal cues first. For example if someone said “I am sorry” to you in a very mellow and calm voice and then someone said “I am sorry” in a harsh fast pace tone, you are more likely to believe the one in the calmer tone even though the same exact words were being said.

This gets messed up during conversations over text message. Since we can only see the words we are sometime not sure how to take the context. Did they mean this sincerely, where they trying to be rude, are they joking? Much miscommunication comes from not being able to read those nonverbal cues and understand the tone.

In order to get our message across we need to be clear with what we say and how we mean it. 

“Communicate so that you can be understood and so clearly that you cannot be misunderstood.”

To make communication effective we must:

-be good listener

-give feedback

-make sure they understood your message

-do not assume

-watch your nonverbal cues

-say what you actually mean

-focus on one issue at a time

-be clear

Having effective communication creates and sustains successful relationships.