A guideline for a good communication is: ask questions and listen for the answers. So, you should not keep a monolog or talk into. Instead you should involve you communication partner. This can be done by asking open questions and active listen to the answers.
Typical open questions are
- How do you assess the situation?
- What is important to you?
- What are you targeting?
- What ideas do you have?
- What do you suggest?
- Which way you want to go?
- What do you think is important?
- What are your expectations?
Active listening means
- Give signs of life: nodding, say „aha“ or „yes“
- Check back by asking question: „Have I understood this correctly …?“ But ask for confirmation only and do not try to question the statement, as this could stop the conversation flow.
- Do not interrupt al let your communication partner explain his idea. Even if you want to say something immediately you have to wait until he has finished his explanations.
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