Relationships Are All About Communication!
Good relationships rely on effective communication skills. It’s a huge part of our friendships, our parenting, and our professional life. Studies have shown that effective communicators have better relationships, closer friendships, make more money and are generally happier people. Why? Because effective communicators can relate to others, the confidence to express their needs/desires and possess the ability to persuade others to adopt or otherwise act on their ideas.
Our marriages suffer for lack of effective communication skills:
“An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of the citadel.” Proverbs 18:19
The reason most often cited for a failed marriage is a lack of communication. It takes both husband and wife really listening to each other and communicating their needs to make a marriage work. Ask any couple married for 20 years or more and they will tell you that the secret to a successful marriage is communication.
How often have you heard the marriage jokes that cite how a man doesn’t know what his wife needs or wants from him? How many times have you heard a woman say that her husband doesn’t listen to her and that he isn’t in touch with her feelings? These all stem from poor communication skills. We need to understand that our spouse doesn’t read minds. Wives need to tell their husbands what she wants from him. Husbands need to understand that wives don’t always need a solution. Sometimes we just need to vent and only want him to listen to what troubles us.
Effective communicators have deeper & stronger friendships:
“He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.” Proverbs 22:11
How many times have you wondered if something you said had offended a good friend? How many find it difficult to talk to a friend about something that bothers you? There is a way to say almost everything that needs to be said in a way that allows you to remain friends. In some cases, it may allow your friendship to grow! This cannot be accomplished without effective communication skills.
Our careers are more successful if we are effective communicators:
“You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, those ideas won’t get you anywhere.” Lee Iacocca
Studies show that people who love public speaking actually make more money than those who do not. Successful leaders are successful communicators. If you are an entrepreneur, you will need to communicate effectively with your customers but also with your business associates, employees, and suppliers. If you are climbing the corporate ladder, you will need those communication skills to show your superiors that you can handle management position. Once there, you will need them to lead the employees or team you are managing. In fact, more and more companies are looking for effective communication skills in hiring and promoting employees. Management styles in the 21st century require leading employees than delegating responsibility.
Leadership requires self-confidence, personal presence, credibility, ability to persuade and explain, understanding of others, interaction and learning effectiveness which all require good communication skills.
Relationships are all about communication. Effective communication can increase the success of your friendships, marriages and business relationships. So…what steps do you need to take to become an effective communicator? …Take them!
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11
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JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication. Her Christian and humorous approach to communication skills have made her a sought-after speaker. JoJo’s articles have appeared in various homeschool magazines and websites such as Dr. Laura.com. Her Say What You Mean curricula is endorsed by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and her eBook, Say What You Mean When You’re in Business, has been used by direct sales leaders and small business owners alike. For more information, please visit http://www.ArtofEloquence.com