Effective communication is the key to great relationships. Incorporate these Top Ten Simple Solutions in order to improve your communication skills and relationships!

1. Commit: Make the commitment to listen and understand when spoken to. Be willing to learn from the speaker.

2. Listen with a Nonjudgemental Ear: Filtering what others say through our own judgements and opinions can cause us to miss vital information. We risk shutting down the communication process, assuming that we know what the speaker is going to say. In addition, we risk hearing the speakers message because we dismiss it before it is fully expressed.

3. Pay attention to Nonverbal Communication: Gestures, tone of voice, and eye contact are examples of nonverbal communication that can enhance your understanding of the speaker's message.

4. Summarize what you have heard: During natural breaks in the conversation, summarize what you have heard to ensure that you have understood the speaker.

5. Maintain good eye contact: Looking at someone in the eyes when they are speaking lets them know you are interested and paying attention. Be aware that different cultures have different rules about eye contact. Where looking individuals in the eye is accepted practice in American culture, it is considered rude or disrescpectful in other cultures.

6. Speak in short chunks: It is difficult for a listener to maintain focus and attention for lenghty speeches. In addition, a lengthy speech may cause the listener to feel as if they are being lectured. Break up your conversation into small chunks allowing natural breaks. This gives the listener an opportunity to offer an opinion or check in for understanding.

7. Use simple language: Stay away from big words and unnecessary jargon. Big words can complicate the message or intimidate your listener causing communication to break down.

8. Take your time: Take your time and think before you speak. It is ok to take a breath or pause during conversation in order to collect your thoughts or clarify your message. Taking a break simply means that you are fully listening and actively participating.

9. Say what you mean and mean what you say: Avoid leaving it up to others to draw conclusions about what you are saying. They may draw the wrong conclusion. Say what you mean. Mean what you say; communicate with integrity.

10. Leave your inhibitions behind: Self doubt and fear can sabotage our attempt to fully express ourselves. Overcome self sabotage by being courageous. Chances are your message is not as trivial, foolish or redundant as you think it is.

For more information, questions, or comments visit www.simplycoaching.net.

Copyright 2006 Peggy Tsatsoulis. All Rights Reserved

Peggy Tsatsoulis, MA CAGS- is a highly sought after Professional Life Coach and Certified Psychologist with over ten years of experience. She has been dedicated to working with individuals to improve the quality of their lives, and her focus has been on bringing out the best in others. For more information and resources, or to sign up for a free e-course and/or consultation please visit http://www.simplycoaching.net.