Communications Skills Add ValueWritten by Coach Pat Morgan
Communications Skills Add Value... Want to uncover a success secret that can lead to more happiness, help you to be more effective in your work, enable you to make more money and to be more fulfilled? Sound too good to be true? The secret.... polishing your communication skills! This secret can help you improve performance, relationships and achieve more happiness and fulfillment.Four Tips for Improving Communication... 1.LISTEN. A wise person once told me that we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we talk. That got my attention. It sounds so simple, but how many times are you engaged in conversation and are not really listening? Your mind is on your next meeting, client, project, dinner, kids or maybe you're just busy thinking about next thing you're going to say when speaker takes a breath. In any event, listening is a skill that can be improved. Ask yourself: Do I listen twice as much as I speak? Do I need to improve my listening skills? 2.BE RESPECTFUL. Even in situations where communication may be difficult, treating other person with respect allows more open and constructive exchange of opinions and ideas. Ask yourself: Am I respectful when communicating with others? 3.RESPOND RATHER THAN REACT. Watch your emotions. If what speaker is saying creates an emotional response in you, listen extra carefully with attention to intention and full meaning of their words. When we are angry, frightened or upset, we often miss critical parts of what is being said. Be slow to disagree, criticize or argue. Even if you disagree, let them have their point of view. If you respond in a way that makes other person defensive, even if you "win" argument, you may lose something far more valuable. Ask yourself: Do I react rather than respond? 4.IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS. If you find yourself unable to express your thoughts effectively with co-workers, clients, your partner or family, perhaps you would benefit from working with a professional who can help you clarify and develop language to more clearly express yourself. Ask yourself: Who will I ask to help me improve my communication skills?
| | Setting Sail to Your DestinationWritten by Coach Pat Morgan
Whether taking on a new project, starting a new job, beginning a new relationship, retiring, relocating, or any new start, setting sail can be most exciting and exhilarating part of journey. The anticipation that comes with taking off toward your destination helps to propel you forward. However, setting sail may also be accompanied by challenges or feelings of anxiety and fear as you leave safety of known to risk stepping into unknown. For me, past two years have been a time of new beginnings. A move to a new city, getting settled in a new home, meeting new friends and colleagues, exploring a new area and learning a new language have marked many new opportunities. It has been an exciting adventure and a time that I have enjoyed very much. It has also been a tremendous learning experience and has challenged me in ways I'd never dreamed of when I began this journey. Following are four tips that have helped me during this time and that I hope will help you navigate more confidently and successfully as you set sail.Four Tips for Setting Sail Successfully 1.VISUALIZE THE DESIRED OUTCOME. Get clear about results you want to achieve. Take some time to think about your desired outcome and to visualize yourself having already achieved it. Think about what it will look like and how you will feel. Write down your goal and keep it in front of you to help you focus as you navigate your journey. Ask yourself: What outcome do I want from this situation? 2.CHART YOUR COURSE. Create a plan that will guide you to your desired outcome. Taking time to plan will help you be more prepared for unexpected events that may happen along way. Not only does a plan serve as a compass to guide you on your journey, but it also frees you from constant pressure of deciding where to go next. Ask yourself: Where do I want to go? When do I want to get there? What course do I need to chart?
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