In this article, we are sharing some common mistakes most people do while communicating with others. These are the things that can help you to improve your communication skills.
Introduction
Communication is hard but it’s worth it if you’re willing to put in the work.
It’s a skill, and like any other skill, you can get better at it with practice. You need to be willing to put in the time and effort necessary for your communication skills to improve.
7 Communication Mistakes that You Need to Stop Today:
These are some points that are most common while communicating and you shouldn’t do these.
1. Assuming the other person knows where you stand.
The first step in being clear and direct is to know where you stand. If your partner can’t figure out what you mean, it’s probably best to take a step back and clarify or even start over.
There are benefits beyond just getting the conversation going. When we’re explicit about our intentions, others tend to respond better when they feel that we’re being honest with them.
2. Giving advice too early.
The second communication mistake is giving advice too early. It can make you look like you don’t trust their ability to solve their own problem. It also makes them feel like they are being talked down to, which is never good! Always listen peacefully! (Also Read: Listening Skills)
Giving advice when they ask for it may be perceived as trying to control them and make them do things your way, rather than letting them make decisions on the fly.
3. Avoiding the subject when you need to talk about it.
When you want to talk about a problem, but are afraid of bringing it up, the solution is simple: just address it.
It’s never too early or late to speak up. If something is bothering you and needs addressing, say so right away. And make sure everyone knows what it is.
If there are many people involved in an issue (such as at work), try speaking with each person individually about your concerns before making a formal decision together (or putting them off).
This will help prevent any misunderstandings from surfacing later on when tempers flare or emotions run high because no one knows what everyone else is thinking or feeling about their current situation until they hear those thoughts directly expressed by someone else who has been part of the discussion all along!
ALSO READ: Learn Basic Communication Skills in 5 Minutes!
4. Being attached to being understood.
When you give advice, try to frame it in a way that makes the other person feel like an equal. For example: “From what I’ve seen, this is how I would handle the situation if I were in your shoes.”
Also:
- Don’t interrupt the other person.
- Don’t try to correct them.
- Don’t try to fix them or make them feel better.
- Stop giving advice in a non-judgmental way
5. Assuming what the other person is thinking.
You need to be clear about what you want, feel, think and do. You also need to make sure that the other person knows what they can expect from you. Never assume he/she must be thinking this.
- What do I want?
- How am I feeling?
- What is happening in my head now (e.g., “I’m frustrated because I haven’t been able to get this project done on time”)? *
- What plans do I have for next week (e.g., “I’ll have time off tomorrow so that means no work!”)?
ALSO READ: Assertiveness in Communication
6. Not asking about their need.
In the case of a child, ask them what they want. Don’t assume that you know what they need or want.
In the case of a friend, ask them what they need and then make sure it happens for them.
7. Moving into problem-solving mode too quickly.
One of the most common communication mistakes is moving into problem-solving mode too quickly.
As soon as a person feels like they have been wronged, they often want to fix it right away and start solving the issue at hand. While this may be good in some situations, it can actually cause more harm than good by making people feel like they’re being taken advantage of or manipulated.
When we talk about resolving issues between people, we must first make sure that everyone involved feels heard and understood before moving forward with any kind of solution (i.e., “I’m sorry if I said something hurtful”).
It’s important for both parties involved to feel included rather than excluded or ignored during these conversations because otherwise there will never be a resolution!
ALSO READ: Learn Interpersonal Skills
The Bottom Line
While communication is hard, it’s worth it if you’re willing to put in the work. Miscommunication can be a major source of tension and stress in your relationship.
If you’re afraid to talk about something because you think the other person will make fun of you, or if you don’t like being listened to then this blog post may help change that!
Hope you liked the post, rate this post & comment if you have any query.
