When it comes to communicating effectively in relationships, emotionality matters. It distinguishes you from robots (and all those pesky AI tools out there!)
Emotions help you get to the heart of the matter. They motivate everything you say and do because they are so powerful.
But how do you leverage them effectively? That’s the big question.
Fortunately, we have some answers for you. Check them out below:-
Write It On Real Paper
People post millions of tweets on Twitter every second. There’s nothing special about them. But who takes the time to write to people on cotton paper and send it in the mail?
Hardly anyone.
Now imagine you’re a recipient of an actual paper letter. How would it make you feel? No doubt, it’d elevate you and make your day.
Be Aware Of Your Emotions
You’ll also want to be aware of your emotions and how they affect your communication style. For example, if you are feeling anxious, you might speak faster, stutter, or avoid eye contact. You might also use certain words you wouldn’t normally use if you feel angry or depressed. To gain insight into the impact of your emotions on communication, it is valuable to ask yourself important self-reflection questions such as: “How do my emotions influence my verbal and non-verbal communication?” “Do I express my emotions in a constructive and respectful manner?” “How can I manage my emotions effectively to ensure clearer and more empathetic communication?” By being mindful of your emotional state and examining its connection to your communication style, you can take proactive steps to improve your overall effectiveness in conveying your message and connecting with others.
If you struggle to notice a difference in your communication style, track your emotions in a journal and then correlate them to what you write online or say to people in person. Figure out how they affect you so you can detect them when they happen.
Be Mindful Of The Emotions Of Others
Another powerful technique is to be mindful of the emotions of others and how they affect their communication style when in conversation or communicating online.
People who feel sad will usually speak quietly or look down at their shoes. They might also shuffle around and lack a sense of energy.
When you observe people, you can quickly practice identifying their moods and helping them out of a bad place.
Adjust Your Style
The next step is to adjust your communication style according to the emotions of yourself and others. Treating everyone the same might feel reassuringly consistent, but it might also mean you’re not taking full advantage of every social situation.
For instance, if the other person is feeling happy, you might want to share your enthusiasm, use positive language, and express gratitude. If they feel nervous, you might want to slow down your speech, use pauses, and make eye contact – you get the drill.
Be Respectful When Expressing Emotions
It’s also a good idea to be respectful when expressing emotions. Consider how they might make the other person feel.
Avoid the temptation to use absolute statements, like “never” and “always.” Instead, focus on the thing that’s happening right now. Just point out to your partner or colleague that they are doing something that you don’t agree with.
Likewise, if you feel grateful, you might want to say things like “I appreciate your expertise” or “Thank you for spending the time getting to know me and my problems”. It’s little things like these that can make a tremendous difference in how you communicate with others.
