Houston Business University

What are good ways to improve your communication skills with both men and women?

I'm 20 years old and I want to know what are good ways to improve my communication skills with men and women. I been given positions in life where I have to be a man, and I really don't have much expierience doing this, so what are the best ways to help me deal with people?

Public Comments

1. The shortest and easiest answer is that You need to listen more. Its easier to learn when a person listens and observes.
2. Be Yourself. :) This will allow others to do the same.... :) Putting on an act or a front means that you will have to continue this act, which is extremely exhausting and harmful to relationships. Just be You. It's great for your health. Being Yourself is a rare species today. :)
3. Practice. With friends. This can help almost immediately. By "practice" I mean role play conversations of different kinds. Get this book: http://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Anyone-Success-Relationships/dp/007141858X/ref=pd_bbs_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221495376&sr=8-10 And/or this one: http://www.amazon.com/Painfully-Shy-Overcome-Anxiety-Reclaim/dp/0312316232/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233125131&sr=8-8 Check this website, which is free: http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/assert/assertive.html This book is good too: http://www.amazon.com/Have-Confidence-Power-Dealing-People/dp/0134106717/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234495525&sr=8-1
4. Be a person to put questions and be a person to listen what others say, with the patience and analyse the answers the negative and positive side, and think what you will do if you are in their position and try to give better communication, and do not bother to say what you think is right. Accept the mistake if you commit. If you are frank and gentle and a person with out ego the communication of yours will last long.
5. The best way to improve your communication skills is by becoming a good listener. You have two ears and one mouth, so you should listen twice as much as you speak. Listen to what a person says, then repeat it back to them in your response. This lets the person know you actually listened, and care about their point of view. Even if you don't agree, the fact you listened and considered the other persons point of view will earn you their trust and confidence. This is key to building a working relationship with anyone male or female. From a management point of view, to be successful you must have the trust and confidence of your employees. Your subordinates are a valuable resource that you should tap on a regular basis. Everyone has knowledge and experiences that you do not have, so involve your employees in discussions and decision making. Remember that you are the boss, but if an employee has a good idea or suggestion you should run with it. The fact that you show interest in their opinions and listen to them will build a good working relationship and this creates Synergy.
6. 1. Be a good listener. 2. Make eye contact. 3. Call a person by their name, everyone loves that! 4. Say please and thank you. 5. Send "thank you" cards after receiving a gift. 6. Offer to help 7. Pick up the check 8. Follow up with a phone call 9. Pay them a sincere compliment
7. Communication is the ability to affect other people with words and nonverbal actions. The basic building block of quality communication is being sensitive to the fact that every human being is unique and has value. Essential elements of powerful communication include: listen well to what is said, listen intently to what is not said, and give as well as receive feedback. To effectively communicate, we must recognize that we are all different in our perceptions and use this as a guide in communicating with others. Leaders can accomplish little or nothing unless they are skilled in the art of communication. Ultimately, the way we communicate determines the quality of our existence and the degree of our success.