Dr. Crew's NLP Lessons #19

MORE ON EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

We learn from NLP that it is quite impossible to NOT communicate something to everyone we interact with. We need to be mindful of the fact that communication is not simply what WE are saying with our words and our bodies. More clearly stated is the fact that what the OTHER person is perceiving is actually communication.

For example, if I am speaking English with you and you only understand Russian I cannot make the statement that I am communicating effectively for our particular interaction. Am I communicating? Yes--but, not with you as you only understand Russian. So, for our particular interaction, although I am speaking English well and may have well-thought out ideas and an excellent presentation--WE ARE NOT COMMUNICATING! I either need to learn Russian or you need to learn English. (And, even then we may not be communicating effectively).

We must become well acquainted with the learning style and communication patterns of our listener. This will never be the same style for every person.

NLP theorizes that the person with the most amount of flexibility has the most influence in communication. Remember, there is no FAILURE--only FEEDBACK.

We can check in to make sure that we are communicating well with our listener by getting this feedback and then adjusting our words and body language.