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.

Advert

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.

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!

Your Comments

Further Reading in Communication - Clear Communication

• Tips to Improve Your Communication Technique
  Communication skills are important in order for you to communicate your goals to other people. These six tips will help to improve your communication skills and lead to a greater success in achieving your goals.
  Read Article >
• Communication Skills Training: Objective and Subjective Language
  Objective and Subjective Language It is important to distinguish between two kinds of language: Objective language and subjective language. Every day you experience your "personal experience". You have to experience YOUR experience of an event. But isn't it true that YOUR experience of an event, may be very different to the...
  Read Article >
• How to Communicate Positive Feedback
  People are very quick to give negative feedback, but it is even more important to communicate positive feedback. Correctly given, positive feedback can be much more effective in getting people to change their behaviour or attitude.
  Read Article >
• How to Communicate Effectively
  How to Communicate Effectively In order to do well, you will need the cooperation of others. You will need to gain the cooperation of many people, including: Your partner Your bank Your customers Your suppliers Your colleagues at work Failure to gain their cooperation will mean either: They won...
  Read Article >
• Gain Their Understanding and Agreement
  Communication is important because you need to gain the understanding, agreement and active cooperation of others. Without cooperation your progress will be limited.
  Read Article >