Mid-Year Goals Review

We've just entered the second half of 2014, which makes this a good time to revisit your goals and refocus your efforts. Take a moment this week and ask yourself a few key questions to help you acknowledge your accomplishments and set clear goals for the rest of the year.

• What have you accomplished so far this year?
• Do your goals still make sense, or do you need to change them based on new priorities?
• What else would you like to accomplish before 2015?

 

To put a little extra commitment into your goals, consider sharing them with a friend or co-worker and ask him or her to inquire about your progress on a monthly basis.

Visual Messages Pt 3

TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION

What happens when communicating on the phone? How do we determine if people are believable? We may take into consideration how they say what they say and the tone of their voice. The phone is a good substitute for face-to-face communication for quick, straight-forward conversations or when getting together is not convenient, but for discussing complex or emotional issues, it is best to meet face-to-face when practical. 

 Videoconferencing or Skype can be a good alternative when distance is an issue, but it is also important to understand that there are limitations to that technology also. For example, interviews conducted remotely may miss some valuable non-verbal communication that may be picked up in person.

 

EMAIL COMMUNICATION

When communicating via email or text messages, we have only the words on the page and maybe "emoticons" and/or photos to consider. This can make email seem like a simple communication tool, but as we all know too well, it is often difficult to determine the sender's true message because we do not have the context of tone of voice, body language, or facial expressions. When an email message goes back and forth more than a couple of time, it is usually best to pick up the phone or schedule a face-to-face meeting to make sure the message is understood and any issues resolved.

Developing effective communication skills is a challenging but rewarding effort. It helps to understand the communication process and to be aware of our responsibilities as a communicator. Developing our skills takes time, effort, and practice. Creating a performance plan that defines actions for improving communication skills is a good first step.

VISUAL MESSAGES -Pt. 2

DRESS AND APPEARANCE
Another part of our body language is how we appear overall. We form immediate and vivid impressions of people during the first seven seconds we see them. Experts estimate that it takes another 5 minutes to add 50% more impression (negative or positive) to the impression we make in the first seven seconds. I’m talking about emotional impressions rather than ...content, or intellectual impressions.

Since clothing covers 90% of our persona, we need to be aware of what our clothes are communicating. Dress consciously and appropriately for the image you want to project. The effect of your initial appearance on others is far greater than you think. It is not a superficial thing, but communicates extensively to others how you feel about yourself.

Individuals have preferred comfort levels of closeness to others. The space varies by culture, but the norm in American society seems to be a physical proximity of approximately 18 inches for intimate relationships, 18 inches to four feet for personal friends, four feet to eight feet for social acquaintances, and eight feet and outward for others.

ESTABLISHING RAPPORT
Rapport can be an excellent tool that produces positive results and enhances communication results. Rapport can help us achieve success. We build rapport by paying attention, listening actively, and acting on what we learn.

In face-to-face conversations, physical positioning and pacing can help establish rapport. Keep in mind every person has different personal space issues. Sometimes moving slightly to the left of another seems less threatening and makes communication easier and more effective.

Pacing is a method of mirroring behavior that helps establish rapport. The listener focuses on who the speaker is and what she or he is saying. The listener then makes a conscious effort to overcome the differences between them. The sooner the sender and listener/receiver find common ground, the sooner they will communicate at a comfortable level, and the opportunity for mutual understanding will be improved.

Pacing is an effective, nonverbal way to establish rapport with another person. Sometimes, in pacing, you can gain a real understanding of the other’s thoughts and even emotions. Your movements should be subtle and discreet and in good taste, also. Avoid mimicking the other person, which would cause a breakdown in the communication process.

Some guidelines for pacing are:
• Match your voice rate with the other person’s rate.
• Match your voice volume.
• Use some of the same words and phrases of the speaker.
• Use similar gestures.
• Breathe at about the same rate without being obvious.

Keys to pacing are:
• Focused observation
• Complete flexibility
• Tuned-in listening

Pacing can seem very artificial at first. You already pace others, even though you are probably unaware of it. Anytime we become conscious of our behavior, we tend to feel awkward.

VISUAL MESSAGES

BODY LANGUAGE
The visual part of our message, our body language, including gestures and facial expression, determines how much credibility we have with our listener/receiver. If the message is consistent, all three elements work together. The excitement and enthusiasm of the voice work with the energy and animation of the face and body to reflect the confidence and conviction of ...what is said.

For example, what if I look down and cross my arms. I speak in a very monotonous voice and don’t make eye contact with you while saying, "I’m so happy to see you and I’m really glad you’re here".

Would my message be believable? Do I seem happy to see you?

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
When people have to choose between how you sound and how you look, they tend to believe the information your body language and facial expression sends.

To communicate effectively, you need to be aware of your facial expressions and gestures. Be sure your body language communicates the message you want to send. There are 80 muscles in the face that can make more than 7,000 different facial expressions. Use facial expressions to convey your message, but be aware of the message your facial expression is sending. Many of us “talk with our hands” naturally, and gestures can add energy and emphasis to your communication. Just be aware of whether or not your gestures are distracting or inappropriate. One way to discover this is to videotape yourself and observe your body language.