’Let’s talk’ is said by everyone at some point in their life. It can mean good news is about to come or even not so good news. But the way we talk to each other can affect the conversation and the message being said. We all have different types of communication methods which affect how someone may interpret the conversation that is being had.

So how can we have an effective conversation with someone? How can we share important information with everyone despite their different styles of communication? How can we get our point across to anyone without getting distracted or having our “squirrel moment” where we steer off topic?

Here are some ideas, tools, and tricks on how to have effective communication with everyone, even our little ones, who are usually the hardest to get our point across to.

Respond

Our biggest problem as humans is the need to immediately respond to get our point across or answer any questions right when they are asked. The problem with that is that we don’t allow our brain to immediately take in the information before responding. So, it is important to stop and breathe before you respond. Take a full breath in, hold & let out breath. This will help you gather your thoughts and use the appropriate words.

Know your audience

Before beginning any conversation, be mindful of your audience. Who are you trying to communicate with? Do they understand the language? Do they understand the material? These are great questions to ask to get your point across. Avoid slang & abbreviations especially if the audience may not have the same background as you or be familiar with the subject matter.

Be honest and be respectful

Being honest about the conversation you are having. Whether it is a child or an adult, when we start our conversation with respect and honesty, your audience will be more likely to engage in the conversation. Always remember to speak to your audience as if you were talking to a mirror or a loved one.

Be Knowledgeable on The Topic

Be knowledgeable on the topic you are discussing. Do you know what the conversation is about? Are you expressing your feelings and ideas on a topic or are you going to respond to someone expressing their feelings and ideas? Make sure you are ready to respond with information on the topic at hand and have a general knowledge of it.

End or Respond

With every conversation, knowing when to end it is key to knowing whether your audience understood what was said. Is it time to stop and come back to the conversation at a later time or is the conversation casual and complete? Always be mindful that even if we think what we said was understood, asking questions is important to ensure our audience is on the same page. Getting a response will help you gauge if the conversation can end or if it needs to continue.

Communication is meant to be intentional, and it is important to be aware of what your interior motives are when communicating.

The feelings we have are sometimes hard to label in communication. Keep in mind conversations will bring out feelings in both you and the other person. Feelings can sway conversations and you may find yourself in a heated conversation or stuck and unable to comment.

This is when the communication tips are helpful to move the conversation forward.

-Amy & Liz