COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Fundamental communication skills

Fundamental communication skills

Introduction

It has been established through the research that effective communication facilitates enhanced comprehension of a situation or a person. Also, effective communication provides the ability of resolving differences, establishing respect and trust, and setting up environments where caring affection, problem solving, and creative ideas may flourish. Communication may appear as a very simple process; however, much of our conversation with different people gets misconstrued that may lead to the development of frustration and conflict in professional as well as personal relationships. By means of learning skills and strategies for effective communication, one can better get manage their interpersonal relationships.

Effective communication

In the current era of information and communication, people are required to receive, send, and process innumerable messages on a daily basis. However, effective communication encompasses more than the mere exchange of information; it also encompasses the emotions behind the information (Maguire, 2002). On the other hand, Beebe, et.al, 2011 establish that effective communication may enhance associations at work, home, and also in social setups by underpinning the relationships of an individual to other individuals and enhancing problem solving, decision making, and collaborative working. Effective communication facilitates an individual in communicating even difficult or negative messages, thereby avoiding the creation of a conflict. Effective communication merges some specific skills counting in attentive listening, nonverbal communication, the capability of managing stress in a specific situation, and the ability of recognizing and understanding one's own emotions as well as the ones they communicate with. As effective communication is a learned skill, it is increasingly effectual when it is impulsive instead of prescribed (Beebe, et.al, 2011).

Elements of Communication

Effective and Critical Listening

Amongst the most significant aspects of effective communication is effective and critical listening. Effective and critical listening does not only refer to the comprehension of information or words being communicated, it rather also includes the comprehension of the way speaker feels regarding the content they are communicating. There are a number of benefits achieved from effective listening, some of which include; alleviation of negative emotions; and saving time by facilitating the clarification of information, avoiding conflicts, and misunderstandings. Also, it facilitates the establishment of an environment where everybody feels secure and free to express their feelings, opinions, and ideas, as well as plan to solve their problems adopting innovative styles. Lastly effective and critical listening makes the speaker feel heard and understood that may assist in the establishment of a deeper and stronger association amid the speaker and the listener (Booth, 2009).

When an individual aims to utterly comprehend and associate with other individuals, then effective listening naturally takes place between them. In case, it does not, then the strategies illustrated below may be considered. The more they are practiced by an individual, the more rewarding and satisfying their associations and interactions would become with other individuals. One must place their utter focus on the speaker and their nonverbal cues like their body language. If one is doodling, checking text messages, or daydreaming, they would definitely miss out the nonverbal ...