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Communication

How To Introduce Two People To Each Other In Any Social Situation

Guest author Vincent Kyle Ng

There are no hard and fast rules on how to introduce two people to each other. The basic idea is to treat both people with respect and come up with a way such that they would know each other’s name and also have something to talk about so that there will not be awkward silences.

How to introduce two people to each other:

1. Give their full names

2. Add an impersonal identifying tag

Examples of such taglines include:

“This is my best friend, Peter Taylor”

“This is Peter Taylor, the partner in my law firm”

“This is my college roommate, Peter Taylor”

“The new accountant with our firm, Peter Taylor”

A complete introduction would sound like this:

“Martin, I would like you to meet my college roommate, Peter Taylor. Peter, this is Martin Williams, the partner in my law firm”.

Attaching a tagline gives these two people who have just met each other something to make small talk on. Merely (more…)

New Rules of Written Communication

Written CommunicationsAuthor: Shirley Taylor

Take a look around your workplace. Do the leaders in your organisation write effectively and powerfully? Do good writers tend to get promoted? Do people tend to listen to good writers? Are good writers able to persuade or convince effectively? Absolutely, yes, yes, and yes again!

More and more of our work today is undertaken through writing rather than in person or on the phone. Indeed, I really wish that wasn’t true. Have you ever considered how much quicker certain issues could be resolved by picking up the phone or speaking to someone face-to-face? We all spend way too much time going through the ding-dong of emails going back and forth, when a simple phone call would have been much more effective. Anyway, I digress. (more…)

7 Ways to Harness the Power of Questions

QuestionsAuthor – Kevin Eikenberry

We all use questions everyday – in every part of our lives: as a leader, as a peer, as a parent, as a team member, as a spouse. We can’t get through the day without asking at least some questions. Even if the only questions you ask all day are:

“How are you doing?”, or

“What’s new?”

You are still asking questions.

So I’m not going to urge you to simply ask questions; that doesn’t make much sense – you already do that. The challenge I have for you today is to ask more and better questions.

When you ask more and better questions you can become more effective as a leader, a peer, a parent, a team member, a spouse and more. Here are ten specific ways that will lead you to asking more and better questions – and as a result become more effective and get better results. (more…)

The Power of Your Words

Power of WordsGuest author William Frank Diedrich

Most of us underestimate the power of our words. We sometimes miss how our words set a tone. A few words can make someone’s day, or shatter it. Words can inspire someone to buy, or to go away without buying. Our words can move someone to do their best work, or to work against us. Your spoken words serve either to build up or to tear down. They serve to empower and inspire, or to disempower and hurt. Words are either life affirming or destructive. For this reason we should choose our words carefully. “The word is the most powerful tool you have as a human…like a sword it has two edges, your word can create the most beautiful dream, or your word can destroy everything around you.” (The Four Agreements, Don Miquel Ruiz)

When you are talking to someone ask yourself this question: “Who am I being and what is the impact of my words on the people around me?” The power of your words lies in the intention behind them. Is it your intention to create a resolution or to be right? Do you intend to help the organization accomplish its mission or to satisfy the need to take someone down? We communicate best when we are clear about who we are and what we intend. This kind of clarity prevents us from saying words that are harmful to ourselves and others. It may prevent us from engaging in harmful gossip and complaining. (more…)

Writing Skills: Speak the Language of Your Audience

Author: Dale Reynolds

Have you ever been at a loss to understand what someone was saying (in person or in writing) because they used unfamiliar words? Good writing skills include making sure the intended audience will comprehend your message!

What is your intention when writing an article?

  • To impress people with your intelligence
  • To build a loyal following of people who will read your material again

I believe many times, writers and speakers are trying to appear intelligent and be impressive. But if you are trying to get people to come back for more, it’s absolutely the wrong strategy! You must speak and write in a way that will be understood. (more…)

Importance of Non-Verbal Communication

non-verbal communicationAuthor - Peter Haliday

The process of communication involves the dispatching and receiving of messages for the purpose of sharing knowledge, skills and attitudes. Communication can be broadly classified into two dimensions: non-verbal and verbal. As against the popular belief that words are the most important ingredient of communication, the non-verbal portion infact contributes much more to the effectiveness of communication.

Non-verbal communication can be defined as a kind of communication that does not involve words. It includes dressing, spatial distance, tone of speaking and body language.

What Is Body Language In Communication?

Facial expressions, postures and eyes are a part of body language itself. It is believed that body language is learnt during the childhood itself but with the development of verbal skills, body language gets entwined in our communication process. Humans use body language in communication for the following reasons: (more…)