What are the Factors of Effective Communication?

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.

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.

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

• Improving Communication in the Workplace
  Managers are the key to successful communication and motivation in the workplace. They must ensure they give proper praise and appreciation, when due. And,if criticism is necessary, then it is vital that this is delivered in a constructive manner.
  Read Article >
• A Course on Clear, Confident Communication
  A Course on Clear, Confident Communication Clear communication may be defined as the art of transferring an idea, or piece of information, from your mind, into the mind of another, without distortion, error, omission or misunderstanding: Meaning: the idea or piece of information, in the mind of the listener, at the...
  Read Article >
• Communication skills for trainers or presenters
  Communication skills for trainers or presenters As a trainer or presenter: You have three major goals. To make your messages and material: 1. Informative 2. Enjoyable 3. Memorable Let us look at each in turn: Informative Your delegate must find your material informative. In order for that to happen, you must...
  Read Article >
• Communication Skills: Two Opposites
  Ambiguity and vagueness in language causes breakdown in communication and leads to misunderstanding and conflicts.
  Read Article >
• 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?
  Read Article >

Advert