What are the Factors of Effective Communication?

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What are the factors of effective communication?

The factors of effective communication are:

1. Clear thought.
2. Specific words.
3. Empathetic listening.
4. Positive intentions.

Clear thought.

We communicate thoughts. So, the precondition of effective communication is clear thought. The rule my granny used to tell me was, "Think before you speak!".

Don't just say whatever pops into your head, without thinking about its possible consequences.

Before you speak, ask yourself, "What specifically do I really mean, and what is the best way to say it?"

Specific words.

Any thought can be expressed in multiple ways. The rule to remember is to choose specific words, over vague or ambiguous words.

Don't say, "See you later", instead say, "See you at three o clock, tea break"

Don't say, "He was unprofessional", instead say, "He swore in the meeting, in front of clients."

In relation to communication, clarity is a virtue, vagueness is a vice.

Empathic listening.

Humans are egocentric; we all tend to see the world from our own perspective. Empathetic listening means being willing to drop our own ego and temporarily see the world as another person. Try to see things from the other's perspective. You don't have to agree with other people, but you should try to at least understand them. And that requires empathy.

Positive intentions.

To do well in life, we need to gain the willing cooperation of others. In order to gain their WILLING cooperation, operate from a moral base of "positive intention".

In relation to others, there are three positions you can take:

1. You could try to ADD VALUE to them.
2. You could NOT try to add value to them. (You leave them unmoved).
3. You can try to devalue them.

Effective communication comes from actively trying to add value to the lives of others.

Never do or say anything that is intended to devalue others.

Try to do more than leave people untouched by your words.

Try to lift people's spirits, and make them feel better about the current situation, by communicating to them with a positive intent.

Communication Skills Training

If you would like to learn more about communicating effectively, please take a look at our Communication Skills Training Course - available as an open course, live online training or in-house training.

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.

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Further Reading in Communication - Clear Communication

• How to Start a Presentation
  The start of your presentation sets the terms for the rest of the performance. If you start well, then you will probably succeed. Here are some useful tips for getting your presentation off to a good start.
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• Six Body Language Tips for Virtual Meetings
  Discover 6 top tips for online body language with expert trainer Chris Farmer. Anyone can learn these simple techniques to get more from Zoom and Teams meetings.
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• 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...
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• Define Your Key Terms
  Do you want to be happy, wealthy or successful? How will you know when you have reached any of these goals, unless you you define your ideals?
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• 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't help you...
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