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Good Communication Skills Lead to SuccessBy: Meribeth Dayme Learning to communicate effectively is a life-long process. Often it is a combination of trial and error and learning the hard way. This process contributes-sometimes positively and at other times negatively--to perceptions of ourselves and others. Patterns and habits of communication develop from childhood and are carried well into adulthood and old age. These habits are so subconscious that much of the time we have no realistic idea of how we are perceived by others. People communicate in the best way they know and do not realize when and how they are failing to convey their intended message. When it is understood that the message is not clear, it is not a matter of blaming the past or making excuses; rather, it involves the maturity to recognize and change the elements of your communication that are not serving you well for those that are more effective. It is a matter of saying or thinking: 'No matter what has happened in the past, do I want this pattern or behavior now'? 'It is my choice to behave, react, respond differently and now I choose to do it another way.' 'Past is past; I cannot go on behaving the way I have in the past and expect anything other than the responses I evoked in the past'. There is a saying: When you think the way you have always thought, you will act the way you have always acted and you will get what you have always got. The word, communication, in itself tells a story. It is derived from the Latin word communis meaning common. Some other words derived from this root are community, communion and communitarian. We communicate by creating common ground with those to whom we speak. When that is established a sense of community is begun and then followed by something greater than the whole; a spirit of community, which by some might be termed a kind of communion. The result of community spirit is the fostering and nurturing of people who co-operate, form effective teams, become friends and can be called communitarians. Developing a sense of community is important in the day to day running of a business. This is difficult when business executives today are in so many meetings that there is barely time for desk work. These sessions consist of everything from one to one discussions to committee meetings. It might be said that a typical executive day consists of wall-to-wall people, talking, brainstorming, organizing and facilitating. Those with good communication skills and an understanding of the importance of the business community soon develop a rapport with their colleagues. This fosters and creates a pleasant atmosphere where support and a sense of ease and co-operation are predominant. The result is good team building and focus on the projects and aims of the day rather than personal issues that arise because there is a perceived lack of support or dialog. The successful business person knows these things well and practices them at every opportunity. By focusing on the project or aim everyone can gain. The moment, the focus is on individual issues, the project suffers with delays, poor quality attention, and perhaps cancellation. Good communication skills are needed by everyone to see that the work gets done in good spirit.
Dr. Meribeth Dayme, Ph.D, is a personal performance coach and public speaking consultant known for her expertise in the function and use of the human voice and presentation. She is an author, a consultant in business and the performing arts, and former university professor of singing and anatomy. An experienced seminar leader, and public speaker, her books include: Creating Confidence, and The Performer's Voice, a comprehensive text on the voice for anyone wanting to speak or sing well. Awarded the Van Lawrence Fellowship in 2001 for contributions to the field of voice by the Voice Foundation and in 2000, the Human Communication International Award for contributions to communication skills. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Meribeth_Dayme Next, go to the general business communication page, or visit our home page Communication Skills . Still looking for something?
Contact informationRobert F. Abbott Improving Communication Skills: Ideas and Tools for Leaders & Managers - Copyright Robert F. Abbott 2009 |