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Using the LAURA method for Effective Communication

Oct 31, 2019

At the Ridgecrest Conference Center we strive to effectively communicate with all of our employees and guests.

“Did you hear what I said” is something that I think everyone has uttered at some point in their life when communicating with someone else.  Something that I have found effective for me is to think of my friend  LAURA.  Now, LAURA isn’t an actual person I know, it’s just the way I have found to remember that there are two people in all conversations.

Listen – Listen to what the other person is saying to you.

Ask – Ask questions to clarify what was said to you.

Understand – Be sure you understand what was said, take a few minutes to absorb if needed.

Respond – Respond appropriately to the other person.

Ask – Ask more questions to ensure you responded appropriately.  If you did not, repeat the process.

How do you effectively communicate?  I would love to hear any strategies you’ve found effective.

2 Comments

  1. Ann Maniscalco

    Melissa,
    Your LAURA method is great. I hope when I’m listening to someone, I’m emulating “her”.
    I once heard a Christian leader say if you’re going to be somewhere, “be all there”. Her idea was to be a full part of the experience on both the giving and the receiving end. One pet peeve I have is for someone to be “listening” to me with his or her eyes darting around to see whom they might be missing by being fully absorbed in the conversation.
    I seek to block out other distractions and interruptions and focus solely on the person I’m speaking to, listening with great intensity like I’m going to have to pass a test on my recall later. I also (ingrained in a teaching from my childhood years) almost never interrupt two people talking. Seems commonplace to do so today – even in church circles.
    Sometimes interactive phrases like, “uh-huh”, “that’s right” or “really?” Help keep one focused.
    Thanks for the good communication reminders!

    Reply
    • Melissa Inman

      I couldn’t agree more Ann, if you can’t “be all there” then what be there at all.

      Reply

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