3 Simple Steps to Better Interactions

Working in communications has taught me a lot about how people interact in just about every place and every situation in the world. It's fascinating to see how someone from one region of the world or a particular socioeconomic status engages with someone from a completely different one. Everything from eye contact to the amount of words exchanged can totally differ. Some might be more soft spoken, while others very engaged and dominant in the exchange. After countless interactions and connections I made with people regardless of age, title, level of education and cultural background, I've been able to identify 3 basic things that play a huge role in virtually every interaction you'll make.

Timing

Not many people I know pay close attention to the minor details during their interaction with others. There are your obvious ones like eye contact, body language and tonality, but one that is often overlooked is timing. How long are we spending gripping that handshake or the embrace? How many seconds are we taking to come up with a response? Or to hold that stare? You don't have to break it down to the absolute microsecond, but just one or two (or sixty) seconds can make a great impact in the message you're conveying and the message you're taking in. Try developing a "rhythm" to enhance your conversational flow along with everything else that makes up your particular approach. The following point is one of the benefits of what good timing can portray.

Confidence

Once you're able to identify and control the elements of your delivery, you will almost instantly appear more confident to others. I challenge you to approach every situation with confidence; even if you're wrong.This is by no means easy, but fake it 'til you make it.Confidence is one thing that yields engagement. It sets you apart from the rest. It draws the eyes in the room towards you. Ever bought something from a salesman who didn't seem to quite believe in the product they were selling? Me neither. The key here is to demonstrate through your overall communication that you're a person of a solid foundation. Timing and confidence are two of the things that will help you get there. One last thing that might help your interactions is one you probably already do on the daily.

Gratitude

Simple. Don't come from a place of fear or frustration, but gratitude. Don't "apologize for the wait" be "thankful for the patience". There will be many times when we'll run into people and situations who will rub us the wrong way. This may happen at work, the store, on the road, even with friends etc. The way these events could impact us individually might vary. If we could turn whatever normal reaction one would have towards poor experiences or pet peeves and be grateful for what they have brought you instead of what they have taken from you, you might surprise the rest. (And yourself, too.)

Timing, confidence and gratitude are three of the many things that can have a tremendous impact on how you are perceived, how you might perceive yourself and even shift the mental and emotional state of yourself and others at that time. It starts with your approach. I share this with all of my peers: Examine every element of your process, shred it down and incorporate these three things when you rebuild. Ask yourself how to go from good to better and from better to excellent. You will be able to feel more comfortable whether you find yourself across the globe or with a new circle of people. You're only one word away.