"9" Communication

This week, we learned about Communication in relationships. Communication refers to the exchange of information, ideas, or thoughts between individuals or groups through various channels such as speech, writing, body language, or technology. Effective communication involves not only transmitting a message but also ensuring that it is understood by the receiver in the intended way.  I discovered that just 14% of communication between two people consists of the words that are actually said. The tone in which words are communicated accounts for 35% of communication, whereas non-verbal cues account for 51% of all exchanges.

Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction and plays a vital role in personal relationships, business, education, and many other areas of life. Effective communication can lead to better understanding, trust, and cooperation, while poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, conflict, and inefficiency.

In the week, I discovered that there are five steps that can be employed to achieve effective communication: Disarming Technique, Empathy, Inquiry, "I Feel" statement, and Stroking.

1. Disarming Technique

The Disarming Technique is a communication strategy that is used to defuse potential conflicts or negative emotions by acknowledging and validating the other person's feelings, even if they are negative. The goal of this technique is to create a sense of empathy and understanding between the communicators and reduce tension in the interaction. Below are some steps involved in using the Disarming Technique:

-Listen to the other person: Pay attention to what the other person is saying and try to understand their perspective.

-Acknowledge their feelings: Show that you understand how they feel by using phrases like "I can see why you would feel that way" or "It makes sense that you're upset."

-Respond in a non-confrontational way: Offer your own perspective or opinion in a way that doesn't contradict or invalidate the other person's perspective.

-Seek common ground: Look for areas of agreement or shared interests that can help move the conversation forward in a positive direction.

By using the Disarming Technique, you can help to diffuse potential conflicts or negative emotions in a conversation and create a more positive and constructive interaction.

2. Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. In communication, empathy refers to the capacity to listen to and appreciate the emotions, thoughts, and experiences of the other person.

Effective communication requires empathy because it helps to build trust, understanding, and positive relationships between communicators. When we empathize with someone, we are able to put ourselves in their shoes, see things from their perspective, and respond in a way that is sensitive to their needs.

3. Inquiry

Inquiry is a communication strategy that involves asking questions to seek clarification, understanding, or additional information. The goal of inquiry is to gather more information about a particular topic or issue and to encourage the other person to express their thoughts and feelings. When using inquiry in communication, it is important to ask open-ended questions that encourage the other person to express their thoughts and feelings in detail. Closed-ended questions that only require a yes or no answer should be avoided because they do not encourage open communication.

Overall, the inquiry is a useful communication strategy that can help to promote understanding, encourage open communication, clarify issues, and show respect.

4. "I feel" statement

An "I Feel" statement is a communication technique that involves expressing your emotions and feelings in a clear and non-confrontational way. The goal of this technique is to help the other person understand your perspective and feelings, without blaming or attacking them.

Here's an example of an "I Feel" statement: "I feel hurt when you cancel our plans without telling me in advance because it makes me feel like my time and feelings are not important. In the future, I would appreciate it if you could let me know ahead of time if you need to change our plans."

By using "I Feel" statements, you can communicate your emotions and feelings in a clear and non-confrontational way, which can help to promote understanding and positive communication in your relationships.

5. Stroking

Stroking is a communication technique that involves giving positive feedback to another person to reinforce positive behavior or qualities. The goal of stroking is to create positive feelings and build a stronger relationship with the other person.

By giving positive feedback through stroking statements, you can help to reinforce positive behavior and build a stronger relationship with the other person. Stroking can be especially effective in situations where the other person may be feeling insecure or uncertain, as it can help to boost their confidence and self-esteem.