Our non-verbal and non-written cues often reveal more than we think they do.
One strange way to tap into your body for better communication?Think about your toes.
Oradopt a power poseif you’re gonna wanna boost your confidence before a big talk.
Or learnhow to read other peoples body languageso you’re free to respond appropriately.
Cut them outto be more persuasiveand feel or appear more confident.
One way is to startkeeping trackof when you say words like um or like.
You could also trytaking your hands out of your pocketsor simplyrelaxing and pausing before you speak.
Those silences seem more awkward to you than they do to others, trust us.
For the inevitable, awkward silences with people you hardly know, it helps tohave a plan.
Hey, all that small talkcould make you happierin the long run.
Tell a story
Stories are powerful.
Theyactivate our brains, make presentationssuck less, make usmore persuasiveand can evenhelp us ace interviews.
Everyones got at least one great story in them.
It also helps for small talk and to fill in awkward silences.
or What are you reading lately?)
and engage in their answers.
Its more important to be interested than to be interesting.
Always venture to keep the other persons perspective in mind when you venture to get your message across.
Be brief, yet specific
Up your empathy
Communication is a two-way street.
(For example, knowing what your significant otherreallymeans when she says shes too tired to talk.
Its hard work, we know, but a good conversation is a bunch of wordselegantly connected with listening.
Then, even ifyour communication styles dont match, at least youre both working off the same page.
And hopefully the other person will be attentively listening to you too.
This story was originally published on 6/14/14 and was updated on 7/10/19 to provide more thorough and current information.
