Practice, practice, practice, is something we hear so much when learning something new. What happens when you’ve practised so much and feel you’ve have cracked it? We tend to sit back and enjoy our work and accept that we are more than good enough.

Communication is an ever-evolving art, you can never be good enough no matter how good you are. There will always be different situations whether they be difficult, confrontational, negotiations, building relationships etc and one size definitely does not fit all. Every first interaction is different, it has a different emotion attached to the interaction, whether it’s the approach, the handshake yes or no, the first impression that you create or the first impression that you see through your lens of the world, all play a part in how the interaction may go.

When people see the word communication, a lot of us think of the words we use and say, some of us also considered their body language and the body language of others all these things are so important, but they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to communication.

When considering communication, the most powerful skill we all have is the ability to listen. Listening is not always about what is being said but how it is being said. Active listening is the skill we all need to practice and learn. If we are not giving the other person our full attention then they will know, they will just know, I am sure we all have had a similar experience. The looking at the watch, the ping of the email, someone walking past and grabbing your attention are all things that show you are not actively listening to the other person. If you are in a conversation then be in the conversation, there is nothing worse than feeling the other person is actually not listening to what you are trying to say.

Active listening takes time, and you have to work hard it to improve and maintain your standards. Never forget it is not what someone says but how they say it. Listen and see the if the words they are using are congruent to what the body language is saying. You will know if it is not the same, this takes practice, and you need to work hard at it.

Communication is a skill, if it is a skill then we can train for it and improve it.

If you want to know more then get in touch, there is so much you can do to improve what you already have, you will be amazed at the impact you can have on others.