An Effective
Communication Skill:
Staying
True to Your Word
The most effective
communication skill you could probably ever learn is, the value of
staying true to your word. What do I mean by this?
People learn how to
trust others through words and actions. So, if you have promised
something to someone and you don't follow through with your promise,
you can bet that your word will not be as trusted the next time around.
Keeping your word
means you value the other person's time and well-being. If you fail to
keep your word, that means that your time and well-being is more
important to you than the other person's time.
Of course, it's
important to respect yourself and your time, but once you have involved
another person, it's important to respect yourself and the other. In
fact, respecting their time and well-being is an act of respecting
yourself. Why?
Because what you're
saying to this person is, "Hey, I know how it would feel if you
promised me something and you didn't stay true to your word. So, I'm
owning up to my promise!" In other words, "Treat people how you would
like to be treated."
Staying true to
your word is an effective communication skill because you gain trust
and respect from others, which is a very valuable when it comes to
needing someone to talk too. If you're known for not keeping your word,
others will be less willing to offer their listening ear.
So, keep in mind
the next time you have given someone your word, stay true to what you
have offered. Your word is very valuable to others, whether you are
aware of it or not. Do not take this for granted.
Once you have
learned the importance of keeping your word, you'll gain the respect,
value, and confidence you desire.
If you are the
person who has failed to stay true to their word, don't beat
yourself up about it. Just learn
from your mistakes and try better next time.
And another thing
to keep in mind is, if you're unsure of whether or not you can keep
your word, don't promise someone something. In other words, be honest
and upfront with that person right away and don't give them "false
hope."
Related
Articles:
What
is Integrity?
Are
you trying to please everyone else?
Accepting
your flaws for what they are.
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