What are the Factors of Effective Communication?
What are the factors of effective communication?
The factors of effective communication are:
- Clear thought.
- Specific words.
- Empathetic listening.
- 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:
- You could try to ADD VALUE to them.
- You could NOT try to add value to them. (You leave them unmoved).
- 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!
Further Reading in Communication - Clear Communication
-
Communication Skills: ABC Principle
Making sure that people understand your message is important, and there are three ways you can make this happen: By being accurate, being brief and being clear. We call this the ABC principle.
Read Article > -
Communication Skills for Sales People
Whether you need to sell your services or your products, the ability to persuade people to buy is vital to your success. The ability to sell is not a natural talent, it needs to be learned and practised until it becomes second nature.
Read Article > -
How to improve your communication skills
How to Improve your Communication Skills You may have a need for training in the following specific areas of communication: Selling to the public. Communication of ideas (both to the public and to your colleagues). Handling difficult people and conflict situations. Answering difficult or critical questions. Building self-confidence as a communicator...
Read Article > -
Training to Improve Your Communication Skills
People do make judgements of you, based on your appearance and what you say. In order to give the right impression, try some new ways to improve your communication skills. You will improve your confidence and gain respect in the process.
Read Article > -
How to be a good conversationalist
Conversational skills are essential both in business and socially, so here are some top tips to becoming a good conversationalist.
Read Article >
Looking for Communication Skills Training?
If you're looking to develop your Clear Communication Skills, you may find this Communication Skills Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 9 days, Online - Teams, places available