3 Immediately Applicable Steps Toward Improved Communication
. . . but don’t be a stalker!
“All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions.” Leonardo da Vinci
Three simple and immediately applicable steps and you will be well on your way to improving your communication. And you can start RIGHT NOW!!
So, here’s the secret!
PEOPLE WATCH!!! That’s right! Watch people! Simply OBSERVE the people around you!
And how can that help ME, you might ask?
Well, first of all, you’re around people all the time! And you can learn from them!
Let’s get started!
Immediately Applicable Step #1 — SELECT A DISTANCE LOCATION
Unless you are living at the South Pole or in the middle of a desert — there are people around you all the time! (In fact, there are probably people at those locations as well — just not as many!)
Choose a location where you can watch people from a distance. Remember, NO stalking!
And simply watch them.
Choosing two people is better than a group because you can focus on what you see.
Here’s a Tip: A good place to start is a location of high emotion — perhaps an airport or train station where people may be parting for an emotional reason. Sit down and simply watch.
Immediately Applicable Step #2 — OBSERVE ALL ASPECTS
Watch everything that is going on between the two people — such as, who they are: a man and a woman, two men, two women, an adult and a child; and the situation — standing, sitting, one of each.
And finally, the big one — body language!
What is each person’s physical stance? What are their arms, hands, legs, and feet doing? Are they perfectly still or moving around? What are their facial expressions?
Here’s a Tip: For some, this may be a little tricky but give it a try. Observe each aspect for each person separately so you get a good idea of how you would describe it.
Immediately Applicable Step #3 — DETERMINE YOUR PERCEPTION
Keep in mind that you have NO idea what is actually going on between these people because you are a distance from them and can’t hear what is being said. You are simply observing their non-verbal communication.
“Your” perception of what is going on will be based on your experiences and perhaps pre-conceived ideas. A certain facial expression or hand gesture may mean something to you.
Here’s a Tip: Make a note of your observations so you can refer to them. Anything that comes to mind –what was your impression of what was going on, how it made you feel? You will be surprised to learn that something as simple as a gesture might make you react in a certain way.
It’s important to be aware of your perception and interpretation of non-verbal communication. A large portion of our communication IS non-verbal and how you unconsciously respond to certain observations can make a huge difference in the outcome of the interaction.
The benefit of this exercise is to help you to focus on all aspects of your interactions, no matter how rushed or apparently insignificant they may be.
BONUS TIP:
Here’s a fun video that I am sure you will enjoy!
