Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.” -Brian Tracy
Communication is the best way to save and maintain any sort of relationship whether it be professional, familial, or romantic. However, if you do not connect with that person before communicating then chances are that you may not be able to communicate efficiently.
As a result, your efforts will backfire instead of improving that relationship. It is okay if you lack in the department of forming proactive connections with other human beings because, we are here to help you solve that problem. Given below are the best tips through which you will learn how to connect with people with your communication skills.
1. Learn to listen
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
-Epictetus
You cannot effectively communicate and connect with a person without knowing them and the best way to know them is by listening to them. Now, the term ‘listening’ does not refer to hear them blabber on and on it rather, it means to actually understand what they are saying.
You have to read in between the lines to figure out what they are not saying. However, this does not mean that you have disregard what they are actually saying. Focus on the words they utter along with the manner of their speech. Furthermore, while listening, just keep quiet and avoid giving advice until you are asked.
2. Understand their body language
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t being said. The art of reading between the lines is a lifelong quest of the wise.”
-Shannon L. Alder
There is so much a person does not say with their tongues but, with their body. Learn to decipher their body language to understand them better. There are so many books and videos that you can resort to for understanding the body language of a person.
Do not only focus on their body language the whole time. Just take a picture in your mind of their posture, note a few body mannerisms and then you can look them up to actually understand what they meant and where they were coming from.
3. Be your authentic self
“Be sincere; be brief; be seated.”
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
If you really want to connect with someone then it is best that you do not put up a façade. Be who you really are and communicate in a straightforward manner. You do not have to force a connection but, rather have to be your truest self. You can be your truest self by speaking your mind and not succumbing to anyone else’s opinion. Learn to agree to disagree with others.
Tell them that it is okay to have a different opinion without disliking each other. When you truly own up to what you say that is when you become your truest authentic self.
4. Speak with honesty
“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.”
-Tony Robbins
You may have heard the saying that honesty is the best policy. That is indeed true because, there is a high chance that your words might not be able to impress the other person but, your honesty might click with them. You can be around people and feel like you belong thereby not sharing your honest perspective about life but, you cannot connect with them.
In order to connect with someone through your communication, you will have to speak the truth no matter what but, in a polite manner to avoid offending anyone. Speaking your honest mind does not mean that you have the license to hurt anyone. Be polite, but be honest.
5. Display your integrity
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
-George Bernard Shaw
Own your words and respect them by acting on them. Never go back on your word as it is a big turn off and you can also lose the already built connection. Your integrity will build trust between you and the other person which is another essential factor in human connection.
You can show your integrity by sticking to your words even if it means accepting defeat. Let others educate you. You do not have to always be right. Let go of your pride.
6. Be empathetic
“Communicate unto the other person that which you would want him to communicate unto you if your positions were reversed.”
-Aaron Goldman
Try to relate to the feelings of others and avoid dismissing them. Do not do unto others what you would not appreciate yourself. So, talk to them like you would like to talk to.
Just think what would cause you to connect with someone else? Chances are that empathy would be one of the top factors in that list. Before you respond, try putting yourself in their shoes. Feel for them and then respond in a way that you would have liked someone else to respond to you.
Words are not the only form of communication. You will have to use your brain, empathy, and traits like honesty, integrity, and trust to actually connect with someone through verbal and non-verbal ways of communication.
