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Watch
your words
The art of communication without doubt is
an important determinant of human behaviour
and the impact one creates while communicating
with others cannot be under-estimated or
denied.
While talking to someone, it is not only
important to put your words across, but
also to choose the right words and expressions
and to make sure you are heard.
I have a friend who is caring, kind &
good at heart and loves to speak for hours,
but no matter where she goes or whoever
she talks to, everyone has a common complaint
against her: Whenever she talks, she very
conveniently forgets that she is not addressing
herself but others; As a result, every communication
initiated with her becomes a monologue where
she alone speaks and others either loose
their interest or are forced to listen to
her personal opinions; People find her tone
of speech overly aggressive and her choice
of words full of jargons and 'heavy-sounding'
metaphors, which might please herself, but
hardly impress others. As a result, despite
all her kindness and caring self, most people
who know her generally avoid talking to
her or very smartly escape from bumping
into her. The few who do talk to her occasionally
get hurt due to her rude remarks and usually
wind up on a bitter note.
This is a small example of what your speech
can do to you. It is very important to weigh
your words before letting them out of your
mouth.
"An arrow once shot and words once
spilled out of the mouth can never be taken
back". (the same happens when you
send an email, hahaha!)
Before speaking up, it is important
to ask yourself a few basic questions :
- Is this the right time and situation
for initiating the conversation?
- Are you comfortable with how the other
person will react to your words?
- Have you put yourself in the other person's
shoes before letting your words out?
- Are you sensitive enough to the people
around you and take care that your words
do not hurt or offend them?
If the answer to the above questions is
‘yes’, you definitely are a
sensitive communicator. But if you are doubtful,
then all you need to know is…
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