Communication Mistakes

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

Communication Mistakes

Here is the list of the most common communication mistakes:

1. Standing too close.
2. Talking too much.
3. Talking without saying anything of value.
4. Only half listening.
5. Swearing.

Standing too close.

Everyone has a personal space around them, into which they permit only their closest friends.

If you unnecessarily impose yourself into their personal space, then you annoy and offend the other person.

When in conversation, unless you are good friends or family, maintain a distance of about one arm's length.

Don't invade personal space.

Keep a respectable distance.

Talking too much.

Many people talk too much.

Good conversation means a fair distribution of talking and listening. About 50-50.

But if you really want to be known for being a good conversationalist, then you should let the other person do most of the talking.

Operate on ratios of about 60-40 in the other's favour.

Ask more questions and make fewer assertions.

Talking without saying anything of value.

Many people speak without thinking; they blurt out the first thing that pops into their mind, much of it of no value to anyone.

Everything you say will either;

1. Add value to others.
2. Fail to add value to others.
3. Detract value from others.

Ensure that when you talk, your conversation is geared towards adding value.

Only half listening.

Many people don't listen; they only pretend to listen.

The best way to improve your listening skills is to actively visualise what the other is saying.

If you cannot picture in your mind's eye, what the other is saying, then ask a clarifying question. "When you say that, what do you mean specifically?

Swearing.

Many people swear too often. This is a crude and common mistake.

It reduces the speaker's credibility and it shows a lack respect to the listener.

Nobody wants to hear you swearing.

Your vocabulary is capable of expressing itself without it.

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Further Reading in Communication - Clear Communication

• How To Take Constructive Criticism
  Feedback is vital for personal and professional development. Learn how to take constructive criticism in your stride with Corporate Coach Group.
  Read Article >
• What are the Factors of Effective Communication?
  Being able to communicate effectively is vital to achieving your goals, as well as fostering good working relationships with colleagues. Great communication at work will benefit the sharing of creative ideas and problem solving.
  Read Article >
• What is a good communication style?
  Having a good style of communication is a useful skill to master. People will stop and listen if you are a good communicator. Being credible and persuasive is vitally important as well, if you want to motivate people to take notice or action.
  Read Article >
• Three ways to improve your communication skills
  How can you improve your communication skills? Communication is important to you because you use your communication to gain the cooperation of others. You need the cooperation of others: you need cooperation from your colleagues, your suppliers, your customers, and your family. If you cannot gain the cooperative assistance of others...
  Read Article >
• Communication: Negotiation Skills
  Every organisation has to trade successfully with others and being able to negotiate skillfully is vital to your success. Negotiation skills training will enable your team to agree the best possible outcome from any negotiation situation.
  Read Article >

Advert