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1. Learn to make people laugh.
If people never laugh when you speak, it is time to study the strategies of
speakers who do make people laugh. An easy strategy is to find funny
anecdotes, stories, or jokes and share them with others.
2. Touch people - physically.
A touch on the elbow or the shoulder will often make someone's day! This is
more important for people who feel isolated, such as some senior citizens.
3. Tell everyone in your life what they mean to you at least once a month.
Why express love and appreciation sparingly?
4. Celebrate the small and large victories of others.
When someone has a success, it's time to literally ring the bells, make some
noise, and get out of your chair to acknowledge the "win." Use e-mail to
send virtual flowers, virtual champagne, or a musical animated greeting
card.
5. Use words of affection liberally.
"I care about you! I'm standing with you! I want to see you succeed in this.
I believe in you and I believe in what you are doing."
6. Call your mother more often. The same for Dad.
Tell them, "I love you." A couple of minutes on your cell phone in the car
can brighten up a senior citizen's week!
7. Go out of your way to wish a person a "happy birthday" whenever you hear
a person mention that they just had their birthday or that it is coming up.
Since it only comes once a year, this often means a lot to a person.
8. Intersperse phrases like, "You're right!" in your conversations.
This is especially useful when someone is confronting you about something
that has bothered them about you.
9. Use the subject line of outgoing e-mails to create suspense in your
reader.
After they read your tantalizing subject heading they usually have to wait a
few seconds to get to your message. They will feel entertained and more
alert to receiving your message.
10. Point out, acknowledge, and affirm the gifts and talents that you see in
others.
Most people will be extremely grateful for the encouragement and direction
that this provides. "Your administrative and organizational skills make a
big difference to me and to the company." It is easy to forget how valuable
this can be to the recipient.
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About the Author
This piece was written by Dr. Clare Albright, Psychologist and Professional
Coach, author of "85 Secrets for Improving Your Communication Skills",
which can be downloaded for only $5.77 from
http://www.ImprovingYourCommunicationSkills.com
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