The Best Communicators Know When to Shut Up by Michael Thompson

1. The best communicators don’t rub their great day in face of someone‘s bad day:

People with strong communication skills come in all shapes and sizes. However, one of the characteristics that runs consistent is they consider the feelings of others, before sharing their own.

This does not mean they don’t feel the urge to share their good news with the world. Like most people, they do. However, unlike most people, strong communicators demonstrate self-control by first making sure the people they are with are up for celebrating.

They do this by giving the non-verbal communication signs of others the respect they deserve. Body language is huge. Facial expressions are huge. Strong communicators understand this, and if someone is slouching and their face shows the lines of a hard day, they refrain from taking the stage, and instead pull up a chair.

2. The best communicators don’t respond negatively to criticism:

The best way to positively accept negative criticism is by being proactive in asking for it. This is for the simple reason that it makes it hard to get angry at someone for telling you something you asked to hear. Strong communicators understand this, and as a result they open themselves up to it every chance they get.

However, this doesn’t mean the feedback they receive doesn’t sting. At times, it does, but instead of justifying their reasoning and subsequent actions, people with strong communication skills take it on the chin. Only to open their mouths to thank the person that was kind enough to give it to them.

3. The best communicators don’t talk over people:

The second you interrupt someone, is the moment they begin to lose them. Strong communicators understand this. As a result, unlike most people who jump the gates before being given the green light, strong communicators are patient and wait until it is their turn to speak.

However, lots of people do that. What separates strong communicators from the rest, is they reel themselves back into the conversation. They do this by reminding themselves to stop thinking about what they want to say, so they can actually listen to what the person in front of them is saying. The best communicators are learners, and they know that the greatest present they can give to another is their presence.

4. The best communicators don’t one-up others:

If someone is happy they accomplished one of their goals, the best communicators do not tell that person their best is their average. Instead they take the time to notice the glimmer of pride in their eyes and then they do what they can to make them shine even brighter.

So when someone has good news to share, strong communicators quietly grab the spotlight and shine it directly on them, instead of redirecting it onto themselves. They do this because they know that life is not a competition, and they recognise that everyone’s starting line is different. On top of that, they have also learned that the speed it takes to reach their own goals, intensifies the more they help others to reach theirs.

5. The best communicators do not argue about meaningless stuff:

Having strong communication skills is all about moving people forward, and arguing about trivial things is the fastest way to ensure both parties don’t. Strong communicators understand this. As a result, when something is not to their pleasing, they take the time to gauge whether or not it is worth their energy. If it isn’t, they shut their mouth and nod their head.

However, don’t confuse this with being a pushover. Great communicators are not pushovers. They simply know how difficult it is to change the minds of others because they know how hard it is for other people to change theirs.

6. The best communicators don’t try and solve everyone’s problems:

Not everyone is looking for you to provide them with a solution when they are talking about their problems. Sometimes people just need to talk. The best communications understand this because experience has taught them, that more times than not, the best way to strengthen a relationship is by offering a supportive ear instead of running their mouth.

So the next time someone reaches out to you and says they need to talk, steal a line from strong communicators, and let them. Your relationships will thank you for it.

Pulling it all together:

When reviewing the words above, some themes become apparent. However, the one that runs consistent is the best communicators demonstrate self-control.

They shut up and think before popping open the champagne when the person in front of them clearly doesn’t look like celebrating.

They shut up and think before talking over people or opening their mouths to fight criticism with fire.

They shut up and think before interrupting someone and remind themselves that when in the company of others their presence must be present.

Put these things together, and you have an empathic and supportive person, which looks a lot like the type of person others want to spend their time with.

And the best part about this is, you too can strengthen your communication skills, and therefore your relationships today. When it comes to the five circumstances above, all you have to do is shut up.

Because when you do, you may just find that the people you love, actually love you back.