Do you have a dog or cat? If so, you interface with them
each and every day. Maybe you have trained your companion to obey your
commands; maybe your buddy just ignores what you say (especially if you dealing
with a cat). However, have you ever observed how they communicate, including
with you?
Animals have mastered the “art of the pause” in their
communication. If you have ever watched great speakers, whether they are giving
a speech or engaging in conversation one-on-one, you will note the use of
pauses in the flow of words. Often the pause is used to allow someone to catch
their breath. However, it can place emphasis on what was just said and allow
the listener think about what was stated.
Since animals do not speak words, they use a pause for
emphasis, allowing the listener to think about the situation for a second. A
cat will growl and pause, allowing another cat to ponder whether it is worth
pushing the moment. A dog may bark and then pause to allow the situation to
develop if it must. It allows the other animal, or us, to mentally debate the
response possible.
Another communications technique that animals use is the
tilt of the head, sometimes coupled with the blink of the eyes. We have all
seen that soulful look, the pleading with the eyes. This is usually coupled
with a need for something such as breakfast or some other meal. At times it
just means: “I need a pet from you or a lap in which to sit”. This may be non-verbal,
but these techniques are very powerful and compelling.
Can you use either or both of these techniques in your daily
communication? Try inserting pauses into your communications. It doesn’t matter
if you are engaged in a chat over coffee or in a long presentation; a pause
will allow you to emphasize a point. It also allows someone to ponder an idea,
or perhaps you can catch your breath. The use of a “pregnant pause” can
indicate an important point that requires thought.
Another emphasis of a certain point may be indicated by the
tilt of your head. Keep eye contact, just like your dog or cat, tilt your head,
and see if you get approval regarding the point that you just make in your
discussion. Include a pause, and you may gain the client agreement that you
want. Of course, it will not work every time, but try it and see.
In addition, there are other communications techniques that
animals use. The soft meow, the loud howl, the faint growl, and the deep woof can
all be quite effective. From subtle words to a loud cry for help, we can emulate
these techniques if we learn how they may help us communicate with others. Add
in the use of eyes, ears, the head tilt, and the wag of a tail, and you can see
how animals communicate their needs, wants, feelings, and other ideas.
Remember that dogs will do anything to please us as long as
we care for them. Cats were once worshiped by ancients as gods, and they have
not forgotten that fact. These facts influence their feelings and their
communications. We can learn from them, and we can use what they use on us to
gain agreement from others.
Please leave me your comments, or email me at Jim@SOC4Now.com, or call me at 360-314-8691. Maybe
we can discuss communications techniques and practice what our animals teach
us. Who knows, we may even teach each other something new. If nothing else,
perhaps we could become networking partners.
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