In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, effective communication skills are more crucial than ever. But it’s not just about conveying information; it’s about connecting with others on a deeper, more trusting level. At Full Potential, we call this ‘emotionally intelligent communication’. In this post, we’ll have a look at emotionally intelligent communication, and present some practical tips to help you enhance your communication skills.
What is Emotionally Intelligent Communication?
Emotionally intelligent communication is a communication style that goes beyond the mere exchange of words. It involves the ability to recognise and understand emotions, both in oneself and in others, and to respond in a way that fosters empathy, understanding, trust and collaboration. Here are 7 tips to build or polish your emotionally intelligent communication skills…
1. Build Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is a fundamental aspect of emotionally intelligent communication. It involves recognising and understanding your own emotions, and how they impact your communication. To enhance self-awareness, reflect on your values and notice any triggers or patterns that may influence your communication style and patterns. Observe your emotional state before engaging in conversations to see if you are in the right space to have the conversation.
2. Empathy and Perspective-Taking
Empathy is putting yourself in the other person’s shoes, to understand their experience and emotions from their perspective. This can sometimes be challenging! Demonstrate empathy by acknowledging the other’s feelings and validating their perspective, even if you do not agree with it. This helps to promote trust, respect, and openness in the conversation.
3. Practise Active Listening
Active listening involves giving your full attention to the speaker, focusing on their words, body language, and emotions. Avoid interrupting or jumping to conclusions prematurely. Instead, show genuine interest by nodding, maintaining eye contact, giving the small verbal indicators that you are listening (‘aha’, ‘yes,’ , ‘I see’) and asking clarifying and follow up questions. Suspend your own ideas (you can come back to them later), and truly work to understand the other person from their point of view. This not only enhances understanding but also demonstrates respect and empathy.
4. Manage Emotional Triggers
It is common for certain topics or behaviours to trigger emotional reactions. Recognising these triggers, even predicting them before they occur, helps to manage them effectively. Pause when you feel yourself becoming emotionally charged. Having self-awareness is crucial here. Breathe deeply, gather your thoughts, and respond calmly rather than react impulsively. This provides the space and clarity for more thoughtful and constructive communication.
5. Constructive Feedback
Providing constructive feedback is an essential part of effective communication. Offer constructive feedback in a way that is respectful, specific, and focused on behaviours rather than personal attacks. Use “I” statements to express your perspective and offer suggestions for improvement. Focus on observable behaviours, rather than subjective judgements. This approach fosters a positive and growth-oriented environment.
6. Manage Conflict with Emotional Intelligence
Conflict is inevitable in any relationship or workplace setting; indeed, a degree of ‘conflict’ is the sign of a healthy environment that encourages people to challenge and debate ideas and practices. Approach conflict with a solution-oriented mindset. Instead of engaging in blame or defensiveness, focus on understanding the underlying concerns and finding mutually beneficial solutions. Practise active listening, empathy, and clear communication to navigate conflicts effectively.
7. Cultivate Emotional Resilience
Great communicators understand the importance of emotional resilience. This involves managing stress, adapting to change, and bouncing back from setbacks. By cultivating emotional resilience, you can maintain composure during challenging conversations and respond in a thoughtful and constructive manner.
Emotionally intelligent communication is a powerful skill that enables us to connect with others on a deeper level. Communicating not just through the words we speak, but also in a manner which nurtures a healthy emotional connection and understanding, builds strong relationships and unlocks meaningful and trusting connections.
If you’d like to know more, please book in for a free, no obligation Discovery Session, email us at info@full-potential.com.au, or call us on +61 412 403 373. We’d love to chat with you!