Effective Communication

There’s no doubt that communication plays a key role in human life. Every day, we communicate with a variety of people including our families, our friends, our colleagues, and even strangers.

Not only does communication allow us to share information, but it also helps us develop relationships. Learning how to communicate effectively can deepen your connections to others, build greater respect, improve teamwork, and boost your overall social and emotional health.

Effective communication combines a set of 4 skills:

1. Engaged listening – Effective communication is less about talking and more about listening. Listening well means not just understanding the words or the information being communicated, but also understanding the emotions the speaker is trying to convey.
2. Nonverbal communication – Use body language to emphasize or enhance your verbal message, patting a friend on the back while complimenting him on his success, for example.
3. Managing stress in the moment – By learning to quickly reduce stress in the moment, you can safely recognize strong emotions, regulate your feelings, and respond appropriately.
4. Asserting yourself in a respectful way – Express your thoughts, feelings, and needs in an open and honest way, while standing up for yourself and respecting others.

Those interested in learning more about these skills and effective communication are encouraged to attend our Health and the Gender Gap event taking place on Thursday, April 18th at 7:00pm in the hospital meeting rooms. To register, visit the Classes page.