
This past weekend you probably made sure that your sweet Valentine really understood your carefully crafted expressions of fondness, right? On the flip side, have you ever been in a conversation and sensed right away that you’d lost the other person? You know ~ her gaze shifts slightly from your eyes to whatever’s behind you; or his facial expression goes blank; or she fidgets impatiently? You’re sure you’re each speaking the same language, but somehow early on in the exchange, you must’ve switched to Vulcan!
A lot’s been written—scholarly and popular—about differences in communication styles between people based on gender, age group or otherwise. I’ve listed links to a few references at the end of this post.
Regardless the communication framework that best suits you, this much seems true: to have a conversation where the other person stays actively engaged with you, speak in the way that your listener needs to hear. This may or may not be in the way that’s most comfortable or natural to you.
A lot’s been written—scholarly and popular—about differences in communication styles between people based on gender, age group or otherwise. I’ve listed links to a few references at the end of this post.
Regardless the communication framework that best suits you, this much seems true: to have a conversation where the other person stays actively engaged with you, speak in the way that your listener needs to hear. This may or may not be in the way that’s most comfortable or natural to you.