As reported COVID-19 cases have dropped nationwide, most activities have returned in person. For some, your face-to-face communication skills may still be a bit out of practice.
There are a lot of steps you can take to improve your interactions. 詹妮弗·琼斯·巴伯博士.D., is an associate professor of instruction and the associate director of the Moody College of Communication’s Communication and 领导 Degree program at The University of Texas at Austin. She suggests these tips as you get back in the swing of communicating in person.
积极地倾听
Active listening is one of the most important parts of face-to-face communication. “An active listener isn’t listening to think of what to 说 next. An active listener is someone who’s listening to learn more about the person who’s talking,她说。.
认真倾听可以激发好奇的问题, which can lead to deeper conversation and connection for those involved in the interaction.
如果你发现自己很难做到积极倾听, tell yourself to engage in nonverbal communication such as eye contact and nodding your head. 你的大脑处理你身体的行为, 通过参与倾听行为, 你开始积极地倾听.
在你的语言之外表达清楚
Tone and energy are two key components when it comes to communicating clearly. Whether you’re trying to be heard or get your point across, the way you 说 something is just as important as what you 说.
“We get a lot of sense of energy from the tonal quality of the words we’re hearing,琼斯·巴伯说. “我们不是一个层次的——我们有上有下.“无论是兴奋, 快乐, 甚至是悲伤, communicating with energy and emotion can help you convey your message more effectively.
是真实的
People know when you’re faking interest or excitement and will quickly be turned off to your message if you’re not genuine. Authentically communicating naturally conveys energy and emotion, which will help build clarity between you and your audience. 听众也会更积极地看待你.
把屏幕收起来
It’s easier to mentally check out when you have your camera off during a Zoom meeting or even on a phone call. That’s because you don’t have to perform nonverbal listening behavior that helps keep you engaged and actively listening. “We’ve sort of been able to get out of practice of listening because it looks like we’re there, 看起来我们注意到了, 但我们不是,琼斯·巴伯说.
Throughout the pandemic, many people relied on their phones and other screens to connect with others. “As we move back out into public spaces, put the phone down,她说。.
为他人和自己提供恩典
Imagine you and everyone else has a window of what they can tolerate. 这些窗口可以增量地打开或关闭. Life during the COVID-19 pandemic closed many people’s windows, Jones Barbour 说s. 人们可能暂时没有那么强的适应力.
As you are getting back to face-to-face communication, ask yourself, 我的宽容之窗有多开放? 检查一下你的感觉.
通过这样做, you’re also more likely to understand if someone else is having a hard time reconnecting in person or, 说, 异常敌对的或孤僻的. 他们现在的机会可能更少.
“We need to offer grace to ourselves and others,琼斯·巴伯说.