art of communication

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Listen without judgment. The key to good communication is listening well. Save your judging for later after you have heard and understood what was said.
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Listen with the willingness to be swayed to the other person's opinion. No obligation to actually being swayed, but stay open to the option.
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Listen without thinking about what you will say next. Take time before you respond.
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Do not be invested in being right. Being right is not the point. If you must be right, you are not able to listen nor communicate because you have set up a barrier already. If you are always right that means the other person is always wrong. That cannot be true.
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If your mind wanders, ask for repetition. We all are subject to distraction. Try to stay focused.
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In all cases repeat back what you heard and ask if it is correct.
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Say it honestly, but with consideration for the listener's feelings. Be polite, respectful and sincere.
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Understand and acknowledge that most things are not black or white, but somewhere in a gray area. Get comfortable with gray.
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Have integrity and build trust. Don't say what you don't mean. Don't promise what you won't or can't fulfill. Follow through with any commitments you make.