Communication Skills | Speak with Confidence & Impact

How people pleasing is harming your self esteem

How people pleasing is harming your self esteem You’ve probably heard it before: “Be polite, or you’ll offend people.” But what you may not know is that this phrase isn’t just about politeness. It’s also about our ability to express ourselves and stand up for ourselves. People pleasers are often stuck in a cycle of guilt and anxiety that keeps them from speaking up and being assertive. By following these tips, you can learn how to break free from this habit so that you can be more assertive in your relationships with others–and yourself! People Pleasing is a Habit People pleasing is a habit and it’s not healthy. People pleasers tend to put their own needs aside for the sake of others. They often feel like they need to be liked or accepted by others in order for them to be happy, which can cause great anxiety when these wants aren’t met. They also want others’ approval so badly that they sacrifice their own feelings in favor of making sure everyone else is happy—even if that means denying what makes them happy! Another issue with people pleasing is that it makes us feel like we aren’t good enough on our own: “I’m trying my best but I just can’t seem to do anything right!” This kind of thinking can lead us down dangerous paths because we’re constantly searching for ways out of situations instead of focusing on solutions (such as asking ourselves why we need other people’s approval). It is Easy to Be a People Pleaser People Pleasers are at risk for addiction and anger issues. They may have trouble making decisions because they are so focused on pleasing others. They also tend to be bad decision makers because they’re always looking for ways to please others without having to make their own choices, which can lead them into unhealthy situations. People Pleasers tend to feel guilty when they succeed or express their feelings in any way. The No-Judgement Zone is a place where we never judge ourselves or anyone else around us; instead, we allow ourselves to be human beings who like being people pleasers but also want independence and freedom from the constant pressure of having to please everyone all day long! The No-Judgement Zone The no-judgement zone is a place where you can be yourself without worrying about what others think of you. You don’t have to worry about how your actions will affect their opinion of you, or if they will judge or criticize your behavior. The no-judgement zone is also a place where people feel safe enough to say anything without having it taken personally by the other person. They know that even if they say something rude or hurtful, it won’t affect them because there isn’t any expectation from others that they must act differently towards them than everyone else in their life. Feeling Guilty for Succeeding Guilty feelings are a normal part of being human. Guilt is a feeling of responsibility for another person’s feelings, and it can be helpful in many ways. When you feel guilty about something, it means you’re worried about the consequences if your actions or thoughts don’t meet up with their expectations. Guilt also serves as a motivator to improve yourself so that you can be better at pleasing others—whether that means making sure everyone has their needs met before doing something for yourself (like going on vacation) or sacrificing your own needs so that others can have theirs met (like taking care of someone else’s child). Feeling guilty helps us learn from our mistakes and become better people overall because we’re constantly trying to improve ourselves through these kinds of experiences. It may seem counterintuitive but guilt actually improves health: according to research published by the American Psychological Association in 2006 titled “Guilt Is Good For Your Health”[1], people who express more guilt tend to live longer lives than those who don’t! The authors concluded this was because “guilty individuals” scored higher on tests measuring how healthy they were physically as well as mentally.” Not Expressing Your Feelings If you’ve ever been a people pleaser, it’s because you were afraid to say no. You feared being judged or rejected. You feared being criticized and/or seen as selfish, mean and unkind by others. When we don’t voice our feelings, our emotions become suppressed for fear of judgment from others—even if those judgments are negative ones like “You should be more considerate” or “Don’t make me feel like I’m bothering you when I ask for help with my work.” People pleasers are often stuck in a cycle of guilt and anxiety that keeps them from speaking up and being assertive. People pleasers are often stuck in a cycle of guilt and anxiety that keeps them from speaking up and being assertive. People pleasers are often afraid to stand up for themselves. They feel like they’re asking for trouble by speaking up, so they’re always worried that their requests will be rejected or judged negatively (even if it’s not true). People pleasers may also be afraid of being rejected by others: because of this fear, they try to please everyone by doing everything people ask them to do—even if the task isn’t important enough for them personally. As a result, these people end up feeling unhappy and unappreciated at work because they’re never given credit for their hard work! If you’re someone who frequently feels guilty for doing something wrong, it can be a struggle to stop the cycle of people pleasing. Even though people pleasing is a habit that stems from our desire to make others happy and keep them happy, it doesn’t have to be this way. By learning how to express yourself better and being assertive in situations where you feel like people pleasing might work better for both you and your partner (or friends), you can start breaking free from the cycle of guilt that keeps people pleasers stuck in a no-win situation. If this

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Improve Effective Communication with 50 Shades of Grey

Communication / Archana Parmar

Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty shades Darker, Fifty shades freed is novel trilogy by E.L. James that tells the story of two people, two different backgrounds, and two personalities who fall in love. Though the novel is often mistakenly labeled as “erotica” due to its explicit content, I am talking about it for the way the title ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ resonates with all of us. Now that I have your attention, let me come to the point. The concept of ’50 shades’ encourages us to recognize that people are not just one-dimensional, but rather, are composed of a variety of different traits, beliefs, and values that make them who they are. Taking this into consideration allows for more meaningful communication and deeper connections with others. Effective communication is an essential part of any successful relationship, whether it be professional, social, romantic, or otherwise. To achieve this, it is important to understand that every person has their own unique set of beliefs, perspectives, and personalities, and these should all be taken into consideration when engaging in dialogue. The concept of ‘50 shades of people’s personalities’ is a helpful tool for understanding this complexity. When engaging in dialogue, it is important to try to be understanding and respectful of one another’s perspectives, even if they differ from our own. It is also important to be willing to listen, to pay attention to body language, and to avoid assumptions or coming to conclusions too quickly. By doing this, we can better understand one another and create healthier, more productive relationships. It is a common misconception that seeing the world in terms of black and white is the most accurate approach to understanding reality. This might seem simple, but upon closer examination, there are in fact many shades of gray and complexities to be found between the two extremes. The idea of a ‘50 shades of gray’ perspective is helpful in many different contexts. In business, for example, it allows for a greater understanding of the various business models in which a company could operate, or the various strategies they could implement. In politics, it allows for a better understanding of the many nuances that exist between different political beliefs and ideologies. In fact, this kind of perspective can be beneficial in many other areas of life, such as psychology, sociology, and even personal relationships. By understanding and accepting the reality that there are many different perspectives and angles that can be taken on almost any subject, a person can gain a more nuanced and informed understanding of the world and their place in it. To conclude, embracing the concept of ‘50 shades of gray’ can help a person become more open-minded and better equip them to make better decisions and form more well-rounded opinions. Seeing the world from this perspective can help people to become more tolerant and understanding of different points of view, allowing for more meaningful conversations and deeper connections with others. Let’s talk and explore your possibilities in these 50 shades of grey.

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Archana Parmar Communicate with precision

How to communicate with clarity and precision?

Communication, Gravitas / Archana Parmar

Communication is one of the most important skills for us to learn. Communication is about expressing your thoughts and ideas, persuading others and convincing them. Communication can be done in many ways: formal speeches by politicians or businesspeople, informal conversations with friends or family members etc., but it’s always good to have some guidelines when communicating with clarity and precision. What do you think about this topic? Before you start, take a moment to think about your opinion. Be specific about where you stand and why. If a question has multiple answers, explain how you arrived at your answer. If there is more than one way to interpret the same data point or observation, explore all of them in detail so that your reader can make up their own mind about what’s happening with the topic at hand. When communicating with others (and especially when speaking on social media), it’s important that we remain open-minded and not afraid to disagree with others if we feel strongly enough about something—or even if we don’t agree at all! Just remember: communication doesn’t always mean agreeing 100% with everyone else around us; rather than try too hard not to offend anyone by voicing unpopular opinions or disagreements, try instead finding common ground where possible by focusing on shared experiences or values instead of differences between individuals who may actually hold opposing views.” Then, what is your personal experience with that topic? When you plan your communication, your goal is to communicate with clarity and precision. To do this effectively, you must first know how to tell a story. A good story can be simple or complicated; it doesn’t matter as long as it makes sense and motivates the reader emotionally. You should also be able to explain your point of view on the topic—the way you feel about it—in terms that are clear and concise yet still convey what needs to be explained in order for people to understand where they stand on a particular issue or problem. What are the reasons for your views? How can we change the attitudes of people in a certain field to make them more open-minded and willing to learn from others? It is important that we be open-minded and willing to learn from others. We should also be willing to change our views, admit our mistakes and admit when we are wrong. We have a lot of preconceived notions about the world around us, but these can be changed if someone else has different ideas or experiences than us. If you want your ideas accepted in this field then you need to communicate clearly with precision so that people understand what your point was meant for them in the first place! You can think your thoughts and simply communicate what is on your mind. You can think your thoughts and simply communicate what is on your mind. You don’t have to be a professional writer, but you should know how to write clearly and concisely. This will help you communicate clearly with others, who might have a different idea of what’s being said than you do—or worse yet, they may not even understand the context of what was said at all! So here are some tips for writing better: – Use short sentences and paragraphs. – Use simple words and avoid jargon. – Avoid passive voice (e.g., “The report was written by me”). – Use active voice whenever possible (e.g., “I wrote the report”). Conclusion Communication is the most important skill that you can have. It’s not just about talking to others, it’s also about listening to them. You can’t really communicate with others if you don’t know what they want and need. There is a close connection between language and thought. They are intertwined, much like the two sides of a coin. Your words speak for your thoughts. Using vague language is a sign of having unclear thinking. By defining terminology, utilising appropriate names, and drawing universal comparisons and labels, thoughtful people aim to communicate exactly and properly. They make an effort to avoid generalisations like “everyone does it” and omissions like “this cereal is better.” Is it better than what? Instead, they freely back up their claims with justifications, analogies, quantification, statistics, and proof. It’s interesting to note that the opposite is also true: Your thinking changes when you try to use precise terminology. Your internal thought processes and thought maps become more exact, structured, and laser-focused.

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6 Things you must know about articulation

Communication, Gravitas, Presentations, Public Speaking, Speaking Skills / Archana Parmar

If there’s is something that amazes me the most, it is the power of being articulate. “How some people achieve dramatically different results than others with what seem to be the exact same ingredients.” –Phil M Jones It is as simple as the art and love for cooking. Same ingredients, same quantities yet the taste differs. It seems craftsmanship is the word of the day for me. Effective communication of your needs, desires, and emotions is a skill that can significantly improve many aspects of your life. Being unable to speak clearly can make it difficult to communicate your ideas. Filler words might divert attention from your main points and force you to rephrase your arguments three or four times. Fortunately, with a little time and work, you can learn to talk clearly. What is articulation? When we refer to someone as being articulate, we mean that they speak clearly and concisely enough for others to comprehend what they are trying to say. That implies that the speaker’s actual words are understandable to the listener as well as that the words accurately convey the speaker’s meaning. Wondering where is the dividing line? Have you ever listened to a professor from college, a lawyer, or even a priest who talked quite clearly? You heard every word they said, but you had no understanding what they were trying to express. Perhaps since there were so many words, their relationship wasn’t immediately clear. Even if someone uses big words, lots of qualifiers, and modifiers, they may not necessarily be well-spoken. A certain degree of articulateness depends on the audience. Before determining whether or not someone is articulate, stop and consider your assumptions. Context is crucial. An articulate speaker can talk clearly to their target audience and is at ease with their own voice. When needed, they can speak more slowly while still using good language and pronunciation. Their speaking abilities enable individuals to vary their enunciation and emphasis according to the subject, environment, and audience, rather of consistently speaking in the same tone. However, did you know that articulation encompasses more than just our speech? Outstanding speakers convey more than just what they say. To be most effective, our body language abilities must be in sync with our spoken communication. Making eye contact and using the appropriate hand gestures can be challenging, but they both help to show how articulate we are. It may take some time to get your verbal and body language in sync. As you establish your objectives, you might begin by determining your strengths and weaknesses. Advantages of being articulate- Here are six advantages of improving your verbal skills. Take note of the fact that these advantages apply to both your personal and professional lives. Being eloquent makes you come across as more knowledgeable and competent. Your ability to speak clearly can increase your comfort in any situation where you must interact with others. Explaining your viewpoints and defending yourself will make you feel more confident. Being able to speak clearly can help people regard you as a leader. If you can speak more clearly and concisely, getting (or providing) feedback won’t be as difficult. In relation to your other friends and co-workers, you’ll stand out, which may be advantageous for employment chances. Speaking clearly is essential for all part of your life. Even though articulation is a skill that is always in demand, it can still be challenging to acquire. Speaking clearly can help you stand out both personally and professionally. The advantages of articulation for your job are countless. For instance, speaking well can improve the presentations you deliver at work. Additionally, it might aid in strengthening your relationships with clients and co-workers. Being a great speaker benefits not only your career but also your personal life. It can improve your relationship with others and your sense of self-worth. Pay close attention to the first time you held eye contact during a discussion or the first time you learned a new term and used it well. Although there will be a learning curve, keep in mind that you are honing a skill that will benefit you for the rest of your life. Are you prepared to work with a coach to guide you on your journey? Write to me at archana@archanaparmar.com and let’s get started.

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Archana parmar why is impromptu speaking important

7 Impromptu Tips and Tricks to deliver a Great Speech

Communication, Presentations, Public Speaking, Speaking Skills / Archana Parmar

What is impromptu speaking? Impromptu speaking is giving an unprepared talk. In any situation when a person simply takes the floor, selects a subject, and begins, the twist to the tale is that the ideas voiced are unrehearsed and unprepared. The typical characteristic of this form of speech is the unprepared delivery and the suddenness with which a person is confronted with a speech situation. Impromptu speaking is often conducted at those times when a person is called upon without warning ―to say a few words mostly at social/professional gatherings. Many people assume that impromptu speaking is easy. In reality impromptu speaking is extremely difficult. There are methods, however, which if used properly, will enable a person to perform acceptably on the spur of the moment. The thought of public speaking intimidates many people. This fear can be reduced to a good extent when there is time to prepare and practice before getting up in front of an audience. How does impromptu speaking work? What happens, though, when there is no time to prepare? When you are asked to speak without notice? This can make the most confident presenters very nervous. The key to success in these situations is to have strategies you can use to compose your thoughts quickly and communicate the message clearly. Becoming skilled at impromptu speaking can give you the self-confidence you need to give a last-minute presentation, sail through a challenging meeting, or convince others of your ideas. You can build your personal brand when you learn to speak effectively under pressure. It can also equip you with the techniques to conduct a successful question and answer session or make important connections at a networking event. By developing this skill, you can learn to speak with eloquence, humour and confidence, and you’ll ensure that you can communicate your messages clearly. This can be very advantageous as you pursue future leadership roles within the association. Sign up to gain access to Free Webinar Webinar on Assertive Communication, now for FREE Watch the webinar now Loading… Thank you! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. How can you deliver an impromptu speech successfully? The easiest way to prepare for impromptu situations is to anticipate. Anticipating situations where you may be asked to speak unexpectedly. However, it certainly is not practically possible to anticipate every possible situation in your personal as well as professional life, so having a couple strategies to deal with those unexpected situations or to be able to handle those situations effectively is another way you can be ready when an unforeseen opportunity to speak. While preparing for these impromptu conversations, consider the two most common scenarios that people face: a. Being asked to share your thoughts, answer some questions b. Give an update on a project without being told ahead of time. How would you feel if you face either of these situations? How do you deal with these? What do you do? What do you say? How do you say it? What if you can’t think of anything worthwhile to say? ***** Being asked to share your thoughts. Let me take you through this, for that, start with brainstorming… You may have many ideas, thoughts, expressions, fears, anxiety and opinions running through your mind when you are chosen to speak in front of a group. The first thing you must must and must do is to calm yourself down in order to convey your thoughts in a coherence and cohesion. 1. Take a deep breath or two. That should always be the first thing to do. A common mistake most people make is that they start speaking before they have gathered their thoughts. Give yourself enough time to absorb and observe the question or topic you are supposed to talk about. These deep breaths are strategically put to help you collect yourself and your ideas. It slows you down, relaxes you, and makes you appear more in control of the situation. As a personal brand you don’t want to project yourself as overly anxious/nervous/perplexed. In this short time span, or this window of opportunity, try to interpret what is being asked in the question or request. Why is this person asking you and what is the intention? Is this an attack, a legitimate question for more information or a test? 2. Repeat the question yourself before answering or better if you can rephrase the question or change it slightly into what you want to answer. Ask for clarification if you have not understood the question, it will help you be more specific about the answer. At this point you may even for a definition to make sure your understanding of the terminology is the same as the person asking the question. At a time just deal with one aspect/one point of view/ one topic and one supporting piece of information. Under pressure, you run the risk of sharing too much information. Remember: This technique gives you focus and allows you to answer accurately and with conviction. 3. Say it clearly Do remember: the way you say something is almost as important as what you say. • Speak in a confident voice (not just a loud voice!) • Use pauses strategically to emphasise a point • Avoid sounding monotonous • Maintain the eye contact with your audience When you convert your thoughts into coherent speech you are making a conscious effort of making yourself heard. You come across as being confident, persuasive and trustworthy. So by now, you might have had a fairly good idea how to handle situations where you are asked to respond to a question/situation extempore. B. Moving on to the situation where you are being asked to deliver an extempore speech. Naturally you cannot prepare for an unknown topic, but you can prepare a method of attack on surprise offerings from your audience. One system of doing this is to have in mind various orders by which to develop your ideas. For example, you are asked to talk about

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Top 11 Communication Skills for Your Workplace Success

Communication / Archana Parmar

Want to distinguish yourself from the crowd? The top communication abilities that hiring managers and recruiters look for in a resume and cover letter are listed below. You’ll leave a good first impression if you emphasise these abilities and use them in job interviews. Once you’re engaged, keep honing these abilities, and you’ll amaze your audiences, because we know that effective communication skills are a catalyst for professional growth. How to develop communication skills? Well, by reading and implementing these. 1. Listening One of the finest ways to communicate effectively is to be a good listener. Nobody enjoys conversing with someone who simply wants to add her two cents and doesn’t give the other person a chance to speak. It will be challenging to understand what you’re being asked to do if you don’t listen well. Active listening is the practice of preparing to listen, observing what verbal and non-verbal messages are being sent, and then providing appropriate feedback for the sake of showing attentiveness to the message being presented. This form of listening conveys a mutual understanding between speaker and listener. (Wikipedia). 2. Empathy Even if you don’t agree with an employer, coworker, or employee’s viewpoint, it’s still crucial for you to comprehend and appreciate it. Simple expressions like “I get where you are coming from” can be used to show that you have paid attention to the other person and value their viewpoints. Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another’s position. (Wikipedia) 3. Open-mindedness Any communication should be approached with a flexible and open mind by a good communicator. Instead of just getting your point over, try to understand and listen to what the other person is saying. You will be able to engage in more honest, fruitful talks if you are willing to speak with people you disagree with. Being open-minded entails being responsive to a wide range of concepts, claims, and data. Being open-minded is typically regarded as a virtue. It is essential for critical and logical thinking. This does not imply that having an open mind is simple. When we receive new information that contradicts our existing views, being open to new ideas and experiences can occasionally cause discomfort and emotional conflict. Learning and developing personally depend on one’s capacity to modify and revise out-of-date or false views. 4. Choosing the Best Medium Simply knowing which form of communication to employ is itself a crucial communication skill. For instance, it is nearly always preferable to have significant meetings in person about things like layoffs, compensation adjustments, etc. You should also consider the person you want to speak with; if they are extremely busy (like, maybe, your boss), you might choose to send your message via email. People will value your considerate communication style and are more inclined to respond favourably to you. Sign up to gain access to Free Webinar Webinar on Assertive Communication, now for FREE Watch the webinar now Loading… Thank you! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Apart from these, I would like to bring your attention to the- 7C’s of communication along with communication skills examples. 1. Clear/clarity: simplicity and organisation Purpose- When writing or speaking to someone, be clear about your goal or message. What is your purpose in communicating with this person? If you’re not sure, then your audience won’t be sure either. Implementation-To be clear, try to minimise the number of ideas in each sentence. The message should emphasize on a single goal at a time and shall not cover several ideas in a single sentence. People shouldn’t have to “read between the lines” and make assumptions on their own to understand what you’re trying to say. Clarity is best achieved through short, simple and fluent sentences and paragraphs. Each paragraph should describe only one idea, and paragraphs should be organized from »the big picture« at the beginning to greater detail towards the end. The last sentence in a paragraph should indicate the information in the next paragraph. Clarity is interconnected with the principle of completeness and concreteness. 2. Concise: get to the point Purpose- When you’re concise in your communication; you stick to the point and keep it brief. The speaker should avoid the lengthy sentences and try to convey the subject matter in the least possible words. Implementation- Are there any adjectives or “filler words” that you can delete? You can often eliminate words like “for instance,” “you see,” “definitely,” “kind of,” “literally,” “basically,” “I mean”, “in short”, “as stated before”, “due to the fact that”, “this is the first study”. Are there any unnecessary sentences? Have you repeated the point several times, in different ways? Conciseness means forming your message with the minimum number of words possible without invalidating the other 6 C’s. Conciseness is interconnected with the principles of concreteness and consideration. 3. Concrete: Specifics Instead of Generalizations Purpose: When your message is concrete, then your audience has a clear picture of what you’re telling them. Implementation: There are details (but not too many!) and vivid facts, and there’s laser-like focus. Your message is solid. The message should be clear and particularly such that no room for misinterpretation is left. All the facts and figures should be clearly mentioned in a message so as to substantiate whatever the sender is saying. Example, it is much better to say “In the review of the period from 2010 to 2015, A & B (2016) found that 75 % of publications from the research area of X reported on the phenomenon of Y”, than “The phenomenon of Y has become increasingly recognized in the recent years”. Avoid vague words and words with multiple meanings, such as “in the future”, “several”, “quickly”, etc. Concreteness diminishes the need to guess the meaning and the possibility of misinterpretation. Concreteness is interconnected with the principles of clarity, conciseness and consideration. 4. Correct: Facts & Proofreading Purpose: When your

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7 Easy Ways to Improve Your Verbal Communication Skills

Communication, Presentations, Public Speaking, Speaking Skills / Archana Parmar

It’s easy to get people’s attention, what counts is getting their interest.” — A. Philip Randolph If you haven’t been snoozing the past couple of years, you have likely also noticed an overabundance of electronic tools that are designed to steal your attention and interest. Social media platforms Facetime, Skype, zoom, Webex, teams whatsapp Video games, YouTube, and satellite or cable TV Email, blogs, vlog, podcasts and what not! All of these above-mentioned tools promise to give you a better choice to communicate effectively. My question to you is- What percentage of these attention-grabbing distractions also engages your sincere interest and make some meaningful contributions? Effective verbal communication Physical interaction is an inevitable part of life, and you have verbal interactions with hundreds of people every day. However, verbal communication in the office is very different from verbal communication in any other setting simply because you need to uphold a certain standard of decency or professionalism. Therefore, understanding how to enhance verbal communication abilities can be really beneficial. The word communication means sharing the same ideas. Or, the exchange of information, including facts, ideas, views, sentiments, and attitudes. The foundation of management is communication. Without good communication, the fundamental tasks of management (planning, planning, staffing, monitoring, and management) cannot be completed successfully. Transferring information or messages from one person or group to another takes place during two-way communication. This process continues with a minimum of one sender and recipient involved in the message transmission. These messages may take the form of any concepts, fantasies, feelings, or thoughts. It can be in any form, any medium. But nothing beats the impact that you make with verbal communication. There is no denying the significance of verbal communication. We don’t get much practise, though, in a time when it’s much simpler to pick up your phone and send a nameless text than to drive to a coffee shop for a face-to-face conversation. Sign up to gain access to Free Webinar Webinar on Assertive Communication, now for FREE Watch the webinar now Loading… Thank you! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. How can you improve your verbal communication skills in this hybrid world? Let me put forth some of the crucial techniques you may use on a regular basis to help you understand the elements of verbal communication and ensure that you make the most of the situation. These are the 7 methods for enhancing verbal communication: 1. Pay attention without distraction. Put your phone aside when someone is speaking to you. Even if you’re a master multitasker, pay close attention to what they’re saying and maintain an uninterrupted discussion. 2. Structure your thoughts. Speaking without a structure or mindlessly while communicating is perhaps the worst thing you can do, and you may not even be aware that you are doing it. When you are among family or close friends, it is perfectly acceptable to do this, but when you are working, it may be quite costly. Therefore, even though a moment of silence between two professionals can be a little unpleasant, taking a moment to reflect before responding or making a comment can actually help you communicate better. This little pause enables you to take in what is being said, process it appropriately, and formulate a response. 3. Keep it clear and concise. Written and verbal communication are very different from one another in a number of ways. One of the key distinctions that must be noted is that while redundancy is used in written communication, it is not used in vocal communication. This means that you should always attempt to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely anytime you are speaking with someone. Most of the time, you might only have a short amount of time to convey a message to an audience or your boss. Being brief helps because you don’t want to take up their time at that time. The easiest approach to achieve this is to first ask yourself some questions to understand how you can present this message/information in the least possible words. 4. Practice outside of your workplace Spend some time socialising with people outside of the workplace. The greatest method to improve your communication skills is to practise, so find a weekly activity in your community that involves interacting with new people. Instead of concentrating on just one social skill, it will automatically assist you in developing all of them. 5. Maintain Eye Contact for effective verbal communication When speaking to others, keeping eye contact is crucial. Even if you’re not self-conscious or disinterested in the discussion, if you can’t make eye contact with the person you’re speaking to or your eyes are darting all over the place, it can give the impression that you are. So, keep that in mind when conversing with others to look them in the eye. 6. Pauses are okay We’re taught to avoid awkward silences, although pauses for contemplation and thought are a common feature of the flow of discourse. If your conversation partner pauses, give them a moment to collect their thoughts before you speak to break the ice. To respond thoughtfully rather than with the first thought that enters your mind, don’t be scared to take a moment to yourself. 7. Keep Your Tone in Check Whether you are aware of it or not, your tone has a significant impact on verbal communication and how your audience responds to you. Always keep your voice cheerful, light, and warm, and always finish your sentences with a smile. This will emphasize your friendliness. On the other hand, watch out for sounding robotic or uninteresting. This is a simple way to turn off your audience and come out as uninterested in the subject at hand. Refining your communication abilities takes time. Furthermore, there is no ideal, universal approach to doing so. But the saying “practise makes perfect” holds a lot of merit, and improving your vocal communication abilities is no exception. Your tone, when combined with correct pronunciation, communicates the message with

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importance of paralinguistic in communication

Everything You need to know about paralinguistic communication

Communication, Non-verbal / Archana Parmar

Speaking allows you to accomplish a lot more than just talking. The impact of body language, facial expression, and nonverbal speech characteristics (pitch, speed, tone, accent, pronunciation and articulation are paralinguistic features of nonverbal communication) is much more than most people even realise. The breakdown of communication, according to studies from the 1960s that have been frequently verified and repeated, is 55 – 38 – 7. 55% of it is, body language (kinesics) 38% of communication is nonverbal yet vocal (paralanguage) 7% of it is language Therefore, only 7% of how you come across to others when you communicate is influenced by what you say. Everything else determines the other 93 percent of the effect you have. The exchange of information without using words is known as nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication falls into two main categories: 1- Body language. 2- Paralanguage. Para-what? The term “Paralinguistic Communication.” Isn’t it a big load? What Paralinguistic Communication really means is: When you talk, what are you saying with your voice rather than your words? Let’s talk about paralinguistic elements of communication. Paralanguage is an essential part of non-verbal communication and as it is non-verbal, it does not consist of words but without it words do not convey the intentional meaning. Paralanguage refers to all non-verbal communication (anything spoken or done without using words). Para means “like,” hence “paralinguistic” is the systematic study of how a speaker verbalises. Paralanguage is literally “like language.” Paralanguage reveals what people are communicating even when the words are not spoken. Sign up to gain access to Free Webinar Webinar on Assertive Communication, now for FREE Watch the webinar now Loading… Thank you! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Importance of paralinguistic in communication We’ve all heard people conversing in social settings, public spaces, and workplaces, as well as in rooms close by. Although we may not be able to hear what they are saying clearly, we can infer what they are discussing by the way they speak, including their voice, tone, pitch, and intensity. We may make out what they are talking about, i.e. is there some serious matter, or a joke, enjoyment or fight. This is the power of paralanguage that the voice communicates something beyond language. Body language describes a person’s postures, gestures, and facial expressions. Non-lexical aspects of speech, such as pitch, tone, intonation, volume, pauses, etc., are referred to as paralanguage. The primary distinction between body language and paralanguage is that one studies the nonverbal aspects of speech while the other studies the motions and poses of the entire body-aka-paralinguistic communication activities. Paralinguistic communication in business- Paralanguage is everything in your voice other than the actual words that you are saying. It can be helpful to know and appreciate how paralanguage affects clarity in order to have more productive conversations at work. Managers’ organisational influence and communication effectiveness can both rise when they can create higher degrees of logical consistency between the words they speak and the paralanguage that goes along with them. Writing and verbal communication abilities are indeed critical components of professional success, according to a number of studies. The appropriate use of language is linked to employee resistance, misinterpretation, lost employee effort, conflict, and general labour relations. As leaders gain greater influence and power, the idea becomes even more crucial. They will find it challenging to express their strategic visions effectively if they unintentionally send out conflicting messages that are viewed differently by various groups of society. To illustrate it further, when giving an employee praise, support, or helpful criticism at work, a manager’s tone can say a lot. A pleasant voice conveys respect, admiration, and a desire to assist. Workers love working for a motivated leadership whose words and actions are consistent. On the other hand, when talking with subordinates, managers who raise their voice or use a sarcastic or insulting tone may frighten workers. Make sure your tone of voice supports the message you want to convey while speaking to staff. Body language Body language is a form of nonverbal communication. Body language is the intentional or unconscious use of physical activity such as gestures, body posture, eye movement, and facial expressions to communicate sentiments and intentions. However, it’s also critical to remember that how body language is interpreted varies across nations and cultures. For instance, while making direct eye contact may be regarded as impolite in some cultures, it may also be seen as a sign of sincerity and honesty in others. Paralanguage, to understand the emotions being expressed through nonverbal aspects of speech, such as speech rate, pitch of voice, tone, volume, modulation, inflection, accent, and accentuation, are observed. For instance, speaking with a forceful tone and constant pitch gives the impression of authority. Anger is typically shown by speaking at a high pitch and in an accusing, spiteful manner. The study of paralanguage also includes the study of speech pauses, interruptions, and respiratory features like gasps and sighs. These characteristics also enable us to ascertain a person’s moods and emotions. For instance, gasps could signify shock, disgust, or disbelief. Conflicts There are often contradictions between our paralanguage and actual spoken language because we don’t always say what we mean. For example, a smile on the face may contradict an aggressive tone of voice, or we may express our enthusiasm for something while slouching, being preoccupied with something else, or adopting a defensive body posture. Two general guidelines are applicable when such disputes arise: People always accept the bigger figure; thus, they are more likely to believe your paralanguage than your words because the former accounts for 93% of your effect while the latter only accounts for 7%. People are skewed toward the negative, so if you speak in a positive tone but take an aggressive attitude, people are more likely to be swayed by that. Advantages of Paralanguage No oral communication is complete without paralanguage as it is closely connected to language itself. To a large extent, paralanguage indicates the position and situation of

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Assertiveness for emerging leaders

Communication, Gravitas, Public Speaking / Archana Parmar

If I had to choose one skill for most leaders to work on, it would be assertiveness. Not because assertiveness is such a great quality in and of itself. Rather, because of its ability to accentuate a wide range of other leadership qualities. When people associate assertiveness with being aggressive and demanding, it gets a poor reputation. But that shouldn’t deter you from understanding how to put it to good use. Every leader wants to be more self-assured, but very few know how to assert themselves. Being assertive lies somewhere between being passive and aggressive. You might come across as submissive if you don’t speak up when you have anything to say. And if you’re adamant about your point of view, you might appear unfriendly or, worse, a bully. You can express yourself without being passive or confrontational if you learn to be assertive, and you’ll have a better chance of receiving what you want. For all the emerging leaders, assertive communication is a key talent to master. It enables you to communicate confidently, deal with challenging situations with ease, and engage with others more authentically. I’ve been on a journey to learn how to be more assertive, and it’s has a changed my life significantly on both fronts personal as well as professional. Today, I am sharing the seven powerful habits to become more assertive in your life. Decide what you want Be clear with about the end goal that you wish to attain. Whether is it to be loved or to be respected? Avoid sitting on the fence Sitting on fence will leads to delayed decisions and added confusions. Delaying not only prevents problems from being solved, it can create new ones. Understand the context Consider the context in which you find yourself. How is assertive behavior going to be viewed? Build relationships When we don’t feel comfortable around people, we are often afraid of what others think. Get to know the people you are dealing with over coffee or outside of work. Social barriers may limit your assertiveness. Use “I” statements Saying “You do this” or “You didn’t do that” can sound aggressive. Describing how you feel about the situation states your position on the matter while opening up the dialogue. Maintain confident body language Our body language can have a big impact on how we are perceived. Facial movements, hand gestures, and standing tall and straight or hunched over are examples of nonverbal communication. Adjust your speech It’s useful to record yourself to hear how you sound and listen for too many filler words like “um.” Talking too fast can also be an issue and can cause people to either disengage or be uncomfortable because of your perceived nervousness. Did you check this course on Assertiveness ?

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Assertiveness: Skill You Need To Move To The Next Level

Communication, Speaking Skills, Uncategorized / Archana Parmar

As you stack all your technical skills to prepare to chart the career progression, one more thing you need to add to your bag is people skill. You need to be assertive to excel at your career. Assertiveness is a personality trait characterized by being proactive, confident, straightforward, and direct. It’s opposed to passiveness which is characterized by being compliant or yielding. Assertiveness skills are so essential for your professional growth because they’ll enable you to speak up for what you believe in without hesitation. If you’re not assertive in your professional life, you may dare not: 1. Persuade others to accept your ideas, even if they’re better than others’. 2. Try the new ideas to solve the problems instead of repeating what everyone does or what they think is right. 3. Speak up for yourself and stand up for what you believe in. 4. Say No when you need it without feeling guilty about it later on. 5. Communicate honestly with your boss or your peers. 6. Clear out conflicts without destroying the relationship entirely. 7. Overcome competition easily, no matter how tough it is for you. You don’t let somebody’s expectation bring you down to the ground. This is an issue which increases stress levels considerably despite its simplicity in practice. You’ll be able to fight stress if you can learn to be assertive. You may feel the need to hide behind a polite smile, swallow your words and thoughts, and pretend that everything is okay when it’s not. At the end of the day, you’re hurting yourself by not being assertive. The reasons why you’re an assertive person may vary from case to case. Some people grew up in a family where they were expected to be submissive and polite all their lives, while others were brought up in the environments where speaking up your mind was ordinary. However, there are still some symptoms which you can recognize that could help you identify whether or not there’s something wrong with your assertiveness style. Communications are key to this skill set… you need to communicate with your boss, peers, and subordinates effectively so that everyone gets what they want or need. Interpersonal skills are essential for success in any business environment because they ensure the smooth running of organization and existence of trust between staff members. To start to develop your assertive communication skills, visit www.archanaparmar.com/assertive-communication

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