Communicating Effectively 101

Human beings are built to connect. Relationships are the bread and butter of our lives and need healthy, clear communication to be effective.

But many of us have a basic misconception of effective communication. It’s more than just being honest and paying attention. It is about listening just as much as it is about talking and is the art and science of being understood.

It starts by checking in with yourself in the moment: How do you feel? What’s going on? How is the other person responding? Are they fully understanding what you’re saying?

The good news is that after learning about effective communication, you may only need to make a few small improvements. Here are a few practical ways you can start communicating effectively with your loved ones, co-workers and yourself.

• Use “I” statements. Take responsibility for what you’re feeling — and get your point across in a direct and honest way.
• Ask open-ended questions. Get more insight and perspective by asking open-ended questions. It builds a deeper sense of connection and will allow the conversation to flow more naturally.
• Be authentic. Make sure they know you want to talk to them and hear what they have to say. They’ll be much more likely to open up and you’ll begin to foster a genuine relationship.
• Pay attention to body language. Nonverbal communication says a lot about how a person is feeling. Try to match what you observe so they receive a subconscious connection with you.

Effective communication leads to better relationships which can help eliminate stress and anxiety, as well as improve your mental health. If you’ve already been through our 10-day online course, you know the three elements of human relations that lead to effective communication:

1. Building healthy relationships by setting boundaries
2. Dealing with stress by removing barriers
3. Enjoying integrity through assertive communication

In addition to practicing effective communication skills, it’s important to set healthy boundaries and find a balance between rigidity and passiveness. Once you do that, you can begin to notice the barriers between you and others to regain clarity, dismiss judgements and reduce confusion.

Unlock Your Full Potential by Creating Synergy of Mind, Emotions and Physical Energy with the Wheel of Wellbeing.

Dr. Daniel Sadigh is a clinical psychologist specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is the founder of Wheel of Wellbeing which helps clients achieve well being by providing tools for living a balanced life. He is also the founder of All in Health Foundation, a non-profit organization that trains therapy interns to conduct in-home counseling for inner cities. Dr. Sadigh resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Bonnie. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sadigh visit his website here.