I will record the next family reunion and will apply all the knowledge that I gained through this workshop.
Wonderful insight, Syndia! Some of the most effective communicators realize their impact on others and the need to make adjustments.
You also indicate a very profound finding here. It is the sender that is ultimately responsible for how the message is received. Great work, Syndia!
I believe that by improving my ability to read people I will become a more effective communicator as it provides an opportunity to make adjustments along the way. I will definitely pay closer attention to not only other people’s body language,eye contact and vocal attributes but my own. I want to make sure I send the right message when interacting with others.
Excellent observation Benny! Making adjustments is an important aspect too since individual responses may shift or to confirm your original read.
To read people better you have to make adjustments on a regular basis. You have to slow down and get a feel for the group. If it's a live group you can pick up your energy. Once you made your read off the group you can start to mirror the groups and fit in quicker and be more affective
to improve my ability to read people better I am going to pay more attention to the vioce body movements and actions.
This is a great goal, Jeanetta. How specifically will you learn to interpret body language more?
I can learn to interpret body language more and if there is negative body language mirror positive body language.
Great observations, Irene! It appears you are looking (and listening) for the real messages being sent from your students. If you see that they aren't interested, what can you do?
I will observe the other persons body language, tone, eye contact. It's relatively easy to see if a person is interested in your product, they are asking questions, leaning in to hear your response, eye contact is made, they are excited to hear what you have to say.
If they are not interested....arms are crossed, questions are not asked (although I'm asking open ended questions) eye contact is avoided.
You hit the nail on the head, Maria! We really can't change others yet we can make a choice to change what we do based on what we "read".
I will adjust my own behavior. For example, if I see positive body language such as head nodding and friendly eye contact, it lets me know they are accepting my message. However, if I see negative body language such crossed arms then I can ask if they have any concerns or questions.
This is a wonderful idea, Maria! Sometimes body language can give us a lot of information that either supports (or denys) what is coming out of someone's mouth. So once you identify changes in their behavior or body language, what do you do with that information?
I can watch for subtleties in their behavior and react to changes in their demeanor and body language.
Interesting tactic, Ines. Sounds as if it has worked well for you too which is great! Sometimes it's very subtle how matching someone else leads to being able to change them. My guess is you are matching some of their behavior initially and then changing yours to the opposite in order to move them. It's often very difficult to move someone without matching them first. You may just do this naturally and didn't even know it but it's a great skill to have, Ines!
Body language,tone of voice and eye contact are key concepts to good communication. If the person I’m speaking with is projecting bad body languge,tone and/or lack of eye contact I will project the exact opposite to them hoping that they will mirror me. I have practiced this and in most cases it is effective; students begin to smile and the outcome of our conversations are positive.
I will watch their body language and listen for tone. It is not always what people say but how they say it.
