12 strategies to master the art of communication (3/4)
[Continued]
8. Expressing appreciation: If you want to make people more receptive, giving a compliment works like a charm. As you begin and end each of your conversations with a compliment, you acknowledge the other person and their efforts and foster a positive and joyful exchange. The only rule you must follow is that your compliment must be sincere and authentic. As Dale Carnegie advised, “Flattery is counterfeit, and like counterfeit money, it will eventually get you into trouble if you pass it to someone else.”
9. Watching your tone: All of us consider the tone of speech pretty significant. And so, if you use one that’s either not right or justified, you can easily confuse and upset people and cause a negative reaction from others. To be on the safe side, make sure your default tone is warm as it suggests compassion and sincerity and fosters friendliness and cooperation. However, you must be willing to change your tone if the situation warrants it. Always keep in mind: If your overall tone doesn’t match the words you speak, you will be misunderstood.
