Learnings from Aarti Sharma - 360 image makeover - 1

Active Listening

 The most crucial part of communication is Active Listening. 

WHY?

• Active listening ensures that you completely understand the message before you reply

• When you listen actively, you show respect and empathy for the speaker

• It minimizes the chances of miscommunication

• When people feel heard and understood, they are more likely to be open and honest

• It keeps you engaged in the conversation

Active listening is difficult as we all have something to say, so how can you practise it daily?

1. Give attention by making eye contact, nodding, etc, to show that you are fully engaged. 

2. Avoid distractions like checking your phone.

3. Paraphrase or summarise what the speaker has said to ensure that you have understood (Pro tip)

4. Avoid interrupting and replace it with silence. Let the speaker finish before you speak

5. Show empathy by using phrases like “I understand how you feel…”

6. At the end, offer feedback by giving a thoughtful response indicating that you were listening actively

Feedback - The Sandwich Method 

You are the Leader of your team. Someone did a project and came to you for review, and there were some mistakes. Now, you have to give feedback on it. 

How will you give feedback while being calm and assertive?

Here's a secret method that people like Managers and CEOs use to give feedback to others. (You'll not get this anywhere else)

The Sandwich Method 

Remember how we make a sandwich

1. Butter the bread - start by praising what they have done right 
2. Add some sauce -  tell them where they have gone wrong
3. Cut and add vegetables - Give specific suggestions on how they can improve 
4. Butter the bread again - Praise them again for what went well

Now, you know how to give the perfect feedback. Guess what? You'll forget it tomorrow. Why?

"Practising makes you remember things." So here's today's activity

Power Poses

“Ever walked in a room full of people and felt everyone was constantly judging you?”

It’s not the people judging you; it’s you.

Why? Because of

• Weak body language
• Bad posture
• Constant Fidgeting
• Trying to avoid interaction
• Looking at your phone as an escape

Don’t worry; stay prepared the next time you get into such a situation. Use these three exercises beforehand:

1. Power poses: Power poses are body postures that are open, expansive and take up space. These are typically associated with confidence and dominance. Some of them are the Wonder Woman pose, the victory pose, the CEO pose, etc. (Reply “Power poses” to this email to know more about practising them)
2. Positive Visualisation: Close your eyes and imagine yourself successfully interacting. Picture yourself standing tall and speaking clearly and confidently. 
3. Maintaining eye contact: Eye contact is highly essential for communication. Practice this by looking at yourself in the mirror. 

And Voila, these are something you can do to rechargeyourself for interacting with people. 

Did you know that certain body postures can help you recharge yourself.

Yes you read that right!

These are called “Power Poses”.

Power poses are open body postures that can help you feel confident and in charge of the situation. Psychologically, Power Poses can help you in:

• Increasing confidence

• Reducing stress

• Enhancing mood

• Improving your performance while being under high-pressure

Whether we talk to a stranger, our boss or someone who looks more powerful than us, we often hesitate, get nervous, feel anxiety, etc. 

So, here I am helping you master some Power Poses (Read till the end, it’s your only complete guide on Power Poses as we are covering everything)

1. The Wonder Woman Pose 

Benefit: Promotes feeling of strength and authority 

         

2. The Victory Pose

Benefit: Enhance feeling of success and accomplishments

   

3. The CEO Pose 

Benefit: Conveys relaxation and 

  

Now choose the one according to the situation and your needs. To implement these follow the following steps:

1. Find a quiet private space

2. Practise your chosen power post for 2-3 minutes

3. Focus on your breathing, make sure you are relaxed

4. Add these in your daily routine

Power Poses will help you the best before high-pressure situations like interviews, important meetings, networking events, etc. 

Practice them consistently for 2-3 minutes and notice the magic happens. 

Picture this: you met someone for the first time,

What are you going to notice in the first 5 seconds?

5 Seconds

That’s the time it takes to create a first impression. In just five seconds, the other person judges us. 

Based on what? Our appearance, body language, communication skills, and our behavior.

In this five-second interaction, a person decides whether to connect with you, hire you, etc. 

So, how can you create the most unforgettable first impression? Here’s a quick framework:

SPARK

S - Smile 
P - Good Posture
A - Appearance - make sure you are well dressed and well groomed 
R - Respect the other person 
K - Use Knowledge as your superpower 

A five-second impression can open many doors for you. Never take it for granted, and present the best of yourself.

Where do you keep your hands when...

Remember?

When we used to stand in a group to perform on stage as a kid.

OR 

When you have to stand with your team in your workplace.

In both cases, did you also get stuck on where to keep your hands?

In your pocket? at the back? where should you keep them? 

If you get confused and fidget because of this, then read till the end. Here are some ways you can keep your hand, when you don't know where to keep them.

1. Keep them in a Gentle clasp

2. Keep them in a Steeple (this is my favourite and the best if you want to look confident)

3. Just keep them by your side or one hand on the other

 

   

And never (I repeat, never)

1. Keep your Arms folded

2. Keep your hands in your pocket

3. Keep your hands near your face

This is Bad body language which also creates a barrier between communication and makes you less approachable. 

Use these tips and see the magic. 

Can you jump into a Black Hole? 

Imagine jumping in a BLACK HOLE  in a dark, cold space even when you don't want to. 

That's how some people feel when told to speak in front of people or in a social gathering. 

Feet trample, Hands sweat, Mind fills with fog, focus loses its way! 

Have you ever felt that? Even in social gatherings, we often find ourselves stuck. 

What's worse is that when someone notices these flaws, we tend to repeat them more often. We either get stuck on words or speak too fast. 

What we need is Balance!  To maintain poise and composure and balance your conversations, do this - 

Speaking to one person at a time is a powerful way to maintain poise. Instead of taking in the entire audience at once, focus on making individual eye contact with one person as you deliver a sentence or complete a thought. 

Then, move your gaze to another person for the next point.                                   here...

then here...

This technique is a powerful tool. It creates a more personal connection with each member of the audience, making them feel like you're speaking directly to them. It also helps you stay calm and centered, as it breaks down the overwhelming task of addressing a large group into smaller, more manageable interactions. 

It also prevents your gaze from darting around the room, making you appear nervous or unsettled.  

Add these tips along with it...

1. Use the power of silence to emphasize key points
2. Anchor yourself to project confidence
3. Mirror your audience's energy to build rapport
4. Incorporate storytelling structure to keep listeners engaged
5. Vary your vocal tone to avoid monotony.  

Until next time...

Are you also someone who was told since childhood that being fluent in English can change your life? 

We are told that as long as we can speak fluent English, we can rise high in our careers and that it opens more significant and better doors of opportunities. However, my recent interaction with my client says otherwise. 

My client had a strong command of the English Language. He was articulate, confident, and naturally interested in engaging in conversations. Fast-forward 10 years, and these skills are needed to serve him. 

He felt stuck and frustrated and realized he needed more than just language. It's the feeling we get when speaking; however, the words are not creating the impact they should. Imagine feeling like you're hitting a wall in your career despite your best efforts. It's not just about speaking well; it's about genuinely connecting with others, understanding their perspectives, and expressing your ideas with clarity and empathy.

Wondering what his communication was lacking?

• Assertiveness
• Active Listening 
• Clarity and precision
• Adaptability 

And many more things that are a part of Effective Communication. 

My client needed Effective Communication and you might also. It can open doors, build strong relationships, and transform one's professional journey.

Effective Communication can...

• Build stronger relationships with colleagues, friends, and family.
• Improve team collaboration and productivity in professional settings.
• Resolve conflicts efficiently and constructively.
• Increase your ability to persuade and influence others.
• Boost your confidence in expressing thoughts clearly.
• Enhance career opportunities and open doors to new roles and promotions.

So, focus not just on Communication, focus on Effective Communication. 

Until Next time...