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How to Communicate with People


* Confidence is very important for effective communication. People who have confidence in them can socialize in a much better way than people those who lack confidence.
* Eye contact is also very necessary for communication. It not only lends credibility to what you say, but also makes other people feel that you are interested in what they are saying.
* The next important thing is to show interest in communication. If you go on blabbering about yourself, no one would bother and the communication levels would dip. Being an attentive listener is the key to communicate with people. If you show keen interest in listening to the person you are communicating with, he would also listen to you when you speak.
* Open-ended questions act as an ice breaker and make interaction possible. Ask questions that require a person to elaborate. This depends a lot on how you phrase what you want to ask.
* Speak on topics of lighter weightage, as they would give you a scope to widen communication. Make sure you do not ask questions that require a straight yes/no as well, as they discourage communication.
* It is always advisable to listen twice as much as you say. Focus yourself on the topic of conversation and give undivided attention to it. Speak in between, to show your interest and add to the conversation, if you know the issue discussed well.
* For communication to take place, knowledge is very essential. You must have ample knowledge and information, in general, to indulge in intelligent communication. People who keep track of current affairs and indulge in a lot of reading and traveling are a delight to talk to.
* Self worth is also an essential factor of communication. Most of us are scared of rejection and thus, do not initiate communication. After rejection, we do feel not worthy of ourselves. No not let yourself be bogged by rejection, rather take it as a challenge that you have to overcome.
* Start with small conversations, at places of social interest. A good place to practice these new people skills is the office or in the store. After it becomes easier for you to speak with peers, try talking to people in higher positions of power, such as managers.

Confidence
Good people skills start with confidence. When a person has confidence, it shows. Confidence attracts others like a magnet because on some level, the attitude shows this person is worth the time and effort. A strong sense of self moves quickly past the small talk and invites opportunity to reach the heart of the conversation without wasting time.

When using effective communication, one of the most important rules to follow is to look a person directly in the eyes. People who lack confidence tend to avoid eye contact. Avoiding eye contact shows disinterest or in a worst-case scenario, dishonesty. When two people make eye contact, effective communication is possible. Eye contact also lends credibility to what you say.

Show Interest
Many people make the mistake of talking too much about themselves. Nothing kills a conversation quicker than rambling on about oneself. One of the best methods to learn how to communicate with people is to get them to talk about themselves instead of making them listen to you. This helps the other person feel more at ease and boosts his or her confidence. On a more subtle level, it creates a situation where the other person feels obligated to reciprocate. The indulgence of talking places a person in the position of returning the favor and listening to you.

The Art of the Open-Ended Question
One of the quickest routes to awkward silence is asking questions that can be simply answered with yes or no. By asking a question that requires a more detailed answer, the other person has to elaborate and offer as much information as possible. Why ask, "Are you enjoying yourself," when the question could be phrased, "What do you think of this party?"

Part of effective communication is learning how to phrase questions that make the other person think. One thing leads to another and in a short time, stories are shared and the ice is broken.