Effective Communication

Ways to Avoid Conflicts:
Do’s and Don’ts

Do…

• Show that you are interested.
• Make eye contact with the other person in a way they seem comfortable with.
• Repeat what was said in your own words.
• Ask if that was meant.
• Remain patient.
• If the other person is having a hard time communicating, encourage them by asking them to repeat with a phrase, like, “Help me, I am having a hard time understanding….”
• Assume you have something to learn from everybody you come into contact with.
  
  Don’t…
• Do something else when someone is speaking to you.
• Guess, make assumptions, or jump to conclusions.
• Give advice, unless the person asks for it.
• Interrupt
• Criticize
• Rehearse your answer mentally, while the other person is still talking.
• Tune someone out, just because you think you are not going to agree with them. Professional Toolbox Consultants