1. Be Authentic
We are all motivated by different things which align with our individual values. People can smell bullshit and when you try to convince a client of something you don’t believe yourself they feel it. More than that, you will be betraying your own value system and that will eat you up.
2. Understand the perspective of your counterpart
Communication is a two-way street, sometimes 3-way! It helps before you try to put your point across to understand where the other people involved are coming from. Taking the time to find out before engaging on a path to getting through to people, can make the experience more collaborative and positive for everyone.
3. Start with the end in mind
Ultimately we communicate to be heard and achieve a goal. If your mind heads into the conversation in battle mode (defense or attack) you are less likely to have a positive outcome.
4. Assume the best
If a person shows up for a conversation it’s because they want a positive outcome too. Their consideration of a positive outcome might be different from yours, which is why gaining perspective first can really help lay the path. However, assume more broadly that the person you engage with wants what is best for your patient or business or even for you or them. It builds rapport, trust and increases the chances of successful outcomes
5. Listen
Active listening requires work. We have to avoid distractions in our own heads and around us which prevent us from hearing our conversation in its entirety. How can we expect to reach a successful outcome if we have not been present for the whole journey?
6. Help the other person to feel felt
It is not enough to listen, the key to getting through to people is to show and truly understand their feelings. Mirroring body language can help with this, but so can statements acknowledging their position. If you can help a person to feel felt than you can tap into their authenticity and your own and achieve great outcomes.
7. Manage your own feelings with kindness and compassion
When someone says or does something we don’t like the natural response is to take offense because it threatens our value system. When we are defending our patients and our values we can get quite upset. The fastest way out of this frustration is not to blame the other person for our frustration. Instead to say to ourselves – “What I feel matters, this person doesn’t understand me and that’s not their fault. To make this interaction work requires me to explain myself better so I can feel felt and get on the same page as the other person/s.”
8. Express your views and knowledge with neutrality
The true challenge – “How can I gently and kindly convey what is needed without compromising my value system?”. We do not have to let ourselves and our values be pushed around because someone else is pushy. True negotiation and conversation skills come into play when we can hold the other persons’ opinion respectfully and also convey ours receiving the same respect.
9. Be gracious
No matter the outcome of the communication experience honor the effort of all parties to enter into the dialogue which has taken time and energy. If you are not successful in getting through in the time allowed, you can always try again in the future if the door to communication is left open.
Communication encompasses every waking moment of our lives. We invest a lot of time, effort and money into our medical training but we also need to invest in communication skills because that’s what brings life and substance to our medical techniques and expertise.
VET TALK COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP (7wks online)
Join Dr. Sandra Nguyen every Tuesday night from July 23rd
to enhance your communication techniques in the veterinary practice.
Download the brochure or Click here to register
HOW HIGH ACHIEVERS SUCCEED AND KEEP SUCCEEDING (6wks online)
Join Dr. Cathy Warburton every Thursday night from October 17th
for resources to develop positive emotions, overcome adversity and get stuff done
Download the brochure or Click here to register
These workshops are open to veterinarians, nurses, administration, support staff, and management. Anyone in the veterinary industry will find great benefit in either of these courses and you’re welcome to contact us if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!