“Good leaders make people feel that they’re at the very heart of things, not at the periphery.” -Warren Bennis
Occasionally, you can be in a room full of people, yet you feel as if you are the only one there. Connecting with people around you, whether it is at home or work, is vital in building and maintaining relationships. There are effective ways of communicating that will enable you to become more connected with those around you.
Actively listening is a great place to start. Sometimes it is hard to do this because the person you are speaking to is discussing a topic that really doesn’t interest you. When someone is communicating with you, they are expressing how they feel, or what they think. Try to listen and understand what it is they are trying to say. To show the person that you are interested in what they are talking about, ask questions.
Your body language can speak louder than words. If someone is talking to you, and you are yawning or sitting with your arms folded, this can sometimes be interpreted as boredom. Your eye contact is just as important. Always maintain eye contact so the person you are speaking to sees they have your full attention. If you are distracted by something else, it may appear to them that you are not interested in what they have to say.
Don’t try to be something you aren’t. Always be yourself no matter what the situation is. Sometimes people have the tendency to carry themselves like they are better than others, doing this will make it extremely difficult to connect with someone. People want to be in the company of others who are similar to them.
If you come in contact with someone you spoke to previously, follow up with them. You can refer back to the conversation you had, showing them what they had to say mattered to you.
Robin Trehan is partner with Credit Capital Funding More information on www.LatestBusinessReport.com
