“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
George Bernard Shaw
Introduction
Communication is everything!
Whether between spouses, parents and children, leaders and their teams, soldiers on the field, scientists and their piers and a million other examples.
An obvious area where good communication will be crucial to success is between the patient and the dental team . That could include the dentist, the treatment coordinator, the office manager or anyone involved in that phase of treatment.
The better the exchange of information, the more effective and fruitful the encounter…. For both parties!
Here are 7 ways to help you improve your communication:
Listen Actively
Good communication is not just about speaking, it’s also about listening. Make sure to give your full attention to the person you’re talking to and show that you’re INTERESTED in what they have to say.
There is research that supports the idea that active listening can improve communication.
Active listening is a type of listening that involves focusing on the speaker, paying attention to their words, nonverbal cues, and understanding their message.
This type of listening requires effort and engagement from the listener, and it can help to build rapport and trust, reduce misunderstandings, and improve the overall quality of communication.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that active listening skills can lead to more effective communication, better relationships, and improved academic outcomes for students.
Another study published in the Journal of Business and Psychology found that active listening skills can improve the quality of supervision in organizations, leading to increased job satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and improved productivity.
Speak clearly
Speak clearly and use simple language to ensure that your message is understood.
There have been several studies that have investigated the effects of speaking clearly on communication.
One study published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior found that people who speak clearly and at an appropriate rate are perceived as more confident, competent, and credible.
Another study published in the Journal of Phonetics found that clear speech can improve the listener’s ability to understand and remember spoken information.
In addition, a study published in the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology found that clear speech can improve the listener’s impression of the speaker’s intelligence and social status. These findings suggest that speaking clearly is an important aspect of effective communication.
Use nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication such as facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice can help to reinforce or add meaning to what you’re saying.
There have been numerous studies that demonstrate the positive impact of effective nonverbal communication on interpersonal communication and relationships. Some of these studies include:
“The Importance of Nonverbal Communication in Professional Settings,” by John A. Wiener, which showed that effective nonverbal communication can enhance credibility, trust, and rapport.
“The Impact of Nonverbal Communication on Perceptions of Trustworthiness,” by Charles L. Martin and Debra L. Smith, which demonstrated that nonverbal cues, such as eye contact and facial expressions, have a significant impact on people’s perceptions of trustworthiness.
“The Role of Nonverbal Communication in Mediating the Effects of Stereotypes,” by Patti M. Valkenburg, which showed that nonverbal cues can mitigate the negative effects of stereotypes and improve intergroup relations.
“The Effects of Nonverbal Immediacy Behaviors on Liking,” by D. Scott Deatherage, which demonstrated that nonverbal behaviors, such as proximity and touch, can positively impact liking and interpersonal attraction.
Overall, these studies highlight the important role that nonverbal communication plays in creating effective communication and improving relationships.
Ask questions
Asking open-ended questions can help to encourage conversation and better understanding.
There have been several studies conducted on the effects of asking open-ended questions in communication. Here are a few key findings:
Encourages Active Listening: Open-ended questions require active listening, which can improve the overall quality of the conversation.
Facilitates Understanding: Open-ended questions help to clarify and expand on ideas, leading to a deeper understanding between the communicators.
Promotes Engagement: By inviting the other person to share their thoughts and feelings, open-ended questions encourage participation and engagement.
Builds Relationships: Open-ended questions can be used to build trust and rapport, leading to more positive and productive relationships.
Encourages Creativity: Open-ended questions can stimulate new ideas and approaches, encouraging creative thinking and problem solving.
These studies suggest that asking open-ended questions is an effective communication strategy that can lead to improved understanding, engagement, relationships, and creativity.
Avoid assumptions
Don’t assume that you know what the other person is thinking or feeling. Ask for clarification if needed.
There are several studies that have investigated the impact of assumptions on communication. These studies suggest that making assumptions can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and conflict in relationships. Some key findings include:
Biased assumptions: Research has shown that people often make assumptions based on their own biases and stereotypes, which can lead to distorted perceptions of others and interfere with effective communication.
Decreased empathy: Making assumptions can prevent people from fully understanding the perspectives and emotions of others, leading to decreased empathy and reduced rapport.
Miscommunication: When people make assumptions, they may not ask clarifying questions or actively listen to what others are saying, which can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings.
Conflict: Assumptions can also lead to conflict, as people may act on their perceptions without fully understanding the situation, leading to frustration and miscommunication.
Overall, these studies highlight the importance of avoiding assumptions in communication and being mindful of one’s own biases and perceptions in order to foster effective and empathetic communication.
Practice empathy
Try to understand and relate to the other person’s perspective. Show that you care about their thoughts and feelings.
There are numerous studies that have investigated the relationship between empathy and communication. Here are a few examples:
A study published in the journal “Personality and Social Psychology Review” found that individuals who are high in empathy tend to have better communication skills, and are better able to understand and respond to the emotional needs of others.
Another study published in the “Journal of Nonverbal Behavior” found that empathetic individuals are better at accurately decoding nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language, which are important for effective communication.
Research published in the “Journal of Applied Psychology” found that individuals who are high in empathy are better able to build rapport with others, and are more likely to engage in constructive conflict resolution and problem-solving.
A study published in the “Journal of Business and Psychology” found that individuals who are high in empathy tend to be more persuasive, and are better able to influence others in a positive manner.
Overall, these studies suggest that empathy plays a significant role in effective communication, and individuals who are high in empathy tend to have better communication skills, more effective conflict resolution, and improved influence and persuasion abilities.
Be open to feedback
Be open to feedback and be willing to adjust your communication style if necessary.
There have been numerous studies that have investigated the impact of feedback on communication. Here are some key findings from these studies:
Positive feedback can improve relationships and foster a sense of trust and collaboration in communication.
Negative feedback can hinder communication and lead to decreased motivation and decreased trust in the relationship.
Providing specific and timely feedback can increase the effectiveness of communication and improve outcomes.
Feedback that is delivered in a constructive manner can be particularly useful in enhancing communication, whereas feedback that is delivered in a negative or critical manner can have detrimental effects.
Providing feedback that is well-balanced and incorporates both positive and negative comments can help to increase the effectiveness of communication and foster a sense of mutual respect.
These findings suggest that feedback plays an important role in shaping the quality of communication and that it is important to approach feedback in a way that promotes positive outcomes.
Conclusion
Communication is at the base of every interaction in life!
The exchange of information where it emanates from one source and is received and understood by another is the basis for communication, whether it’s a dentist explaining the need for treatment to a patient or a parent making sure the child goes to bed on time.
“How well we communicate is not determined by how well we say things but how well we are understood.”
Andrew Grove
Abe Jarjoura D.D.S., M.S.
Founder: Dental Care Team Group
Founder: Control “Freaks”- A Group for Professionals Who Want to Smile More
Control "Freaks" 
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