Things that help with being a better communicator

Being able to communicate well is not just for people who work in sales or lead teams, it’s for every person.

Being able to communicate well is about being understood. Being understood helps us feel seen. It helps us feel like we belong.

Here are some things I’ve found that help me communicate better:

Listening to the work of Brené Brown. I recommend starting with the audio, The Power of Vulnerability which dives deeper into the learnings shared in the TED Talk of the same name.

Slowing down and trying to practice empathy. Really trying to understand what is going on for the other person on an emotional level. I don’t always do it well, as it’s often inconvenient and means putting whatever I’m doing (or trying to say myself) on hold while I listen. But when I do it’s always worth the effort.

Avoiding messaging and emails for sensitive topics. I much prefer face to face or video chat so I can see the other person’s reaction and know if I’m being understood or need to explain myself better.