How can I communicate better with others? 6 useful tips

Steps to follow and recommendations on how to improve communication with friends, partners, etc.

Communication is a big part of who we are. No person exists as a solitary island, we always evolve as human beings in contact with others, regardless of whether we enjoy most social relationships or not.

That is why, many people are troubled by a question, "how do I communicate better with others?".

Learning how to make yourself understood and interact correctly with others is so important. In this article we will see several tips on how to communicate better with others from simple ideas to apply in your day-to-day habits.

How to communicate better with others?

Before looking at specific techniques to apply in your social relationships to better connect with those around you, it's important to understand some of the basic principles of communication, whether in friendship, as a couple or at work. basic principles of communication, whether in the realm of friendship, partnership or at work. They are as follows.

1. You are responsible for making yourself understood

Are you familiar with the old saying "I am responsible for what I say, not for what you understand"? Well, it may interest you that this is false, or at least partially false. Communication does not work like a system of transmission of data packets It is something much more dynamic, you have to participate in the process by which the other person interprets what we say.

This is because the simple fact of being a different person from the receiver already makes our point of view and experiences lived in the past and in the present different, which means that no matter how well we do it, misunderstandings can always appear.

2. Put yourself in other people's shoes

This advice is derived from the previous one, since the communication process is something dynamic and it is necessary to make sure that the and it is necessary to make sure that there are no mistakes.. It is not enough to have a rough idea of the type of ideas or questions that arise in the mind of the interlocutor; you must also take into account the emotional state that accompanies each of these cognitive processes.

3. The context must be taken into account

Beyond the individuals involved in an act of communication is the context, and this conditions both what is said and how it is interpreted. what is said and how what is said is interpreted, that it must always be that it must always be considered a very important factor.

For example, it is not the same to say something in a meeting in a restaurant as in the office where you work and one of you is the head of the company. The situation in which the social interaction takes place can even turn the meaning of the words upside down.

4. Never forget non-verbal language

It is impossible not to communicate through nonverbal language.So don't forget about this factor, because whatever you do in this sense will be perceived and interpreted by others, and you will do the same when observing others even if you don't realize it.

Techniques to express yourself better and connect with others

Having seen the above, we can now move on to several tips on how to communicate better with others and make this improve your social relationships.

1. Adapt your language

It is very important to adapt the language to the conversation being had, especially considering two factors: the background and educational level of those listening, and the context in which the conversation is taking place..

For example, if you are involved in biology research and you want to explain what a breed of dog you have at home is like, you should definitely avoid using very technical jargon, unless the other person asks you to explain those details.

On the other hand, if you are in a professional context, it is likely to be frowned upon if you express yourself as you would with your lifelong friends; as much as this is an arbitrary imposition, breaking these unwritten rules can overshadow the content of your message, as well as tarnish your image in many cases.

2. Look them in the eye

This is possibly one of the simplest yet most basic tips on how to communicate better. If you don't do this, it will create a strange situation in which it will be difficult to interpret what you say, since your intentions will not be clear. your intentions will not be clear (since you will be talking but at the same time showing that you would like to be anywhere else but having that conversation).

However, so that you don't become obsessed with something so basic, it's better to worry about looking into the eyes for many seconds at a time, rather than focusing on looking into the eyes all the time. The ideal is to do it with a spontaneity that allows you to forget about the matter. unless you detect that you are not complying with it.

3. Avoid prejudging

Sometimes we may be tempted to express out loud prejudices about others, whether positive or negative, if only to generate conversation. Avoid this. In any case, ask questions to allow others to get to know you better.

4. Notice if the other person is nervous.

Occasionally, you will encounter people who are prone to feeling nervous during conversations, especially if they know you very little.

When you detect these signs of stress, show them your complicity and use strategies to release the tension and create a more relaxed atmosphereMake a joke, use relaxed nonverbal language, show that you take the other person seriously and care about what they think of you, etc.

5. Practice active listening

When you are spoken to, don't adopt a passive attitude. Even if it's your turn to remain silent, show that you are paying attention: look into the eyes, nod, react with a few exclamations depending on your emotions about what you are hearing.occasionally, add small comments or ask questions related to the topic (as long as they do not involve telling a long story that is not very important in that situation). This is what is known as active listening.

6. Don't try to fill silences with words

Don't be afraid of silences.Silences are just another communication tool. In fact, many great interviewers use them constantly to create the conversational climate they want; you can do the same.

Bibliographical references:

• Caballo, V. (1983). Manual de entrenamiento y evaluación de las habilidades sociales. Madrid: Siglo XXI.
• Cuartero, N. (2014). From self-awareness to social skills. Cuadernos de Pedagogía (442), p. 65.
• Ferguson, S. D.; Lennox-Terrion, J.; Ahmed, R.; Jaya, P. (2014). Communication in Everyday Life: Personal and Professional Contexts. Canada: Oxford University Press.
• Mehrabian, A. (1972). Nonverbal communication. Transaction Publishers.
• Orth U.; Robbins R.W. (2014). The development of self-esteem. Current Directions in Psychological Science. 23(5): pp. 381 - 387.
• Turner, L.H., y West, R.L. (2013). Perspectives on family communication. Boston: McGraw-Hill.