Stoppers & Helpers that Can Change Communication Through a Slight Difference

I can have a normal conversation, but sometimes I feel like I communicate well with some people, but mess it up with others.
It does not require specific words and I am not losing the point, but why is the quality of conversation so different?
Let’s consider a stopper that interferes with communication and a helper that facilitates communication,
while thinking about the conversations that we have made.
Article. Editor’s Office/ Cartoon by Lee Su-Jung

Difference between communication stoppers and helpers

The difference between a person who communicates well, and a person who can’t communicate well is actually determined by single factor. If we analyze the dialogues one by one, we can find differences, but since the words do not have outstanding characteristics that make a difference, we cannot usually sense the difference. In other words, the outcome of conversation depends on very detailed skills. The important thing is that the difference in the detail can completely ruin communication.

Words, attitudes, or persons that interfere with communication are referred to as “communication stoppers,” which are revealed in the form of criticism, coercion, or indifference during conversation.

In contrast to this, words, attitudes and persons that support smooth communication are referred to as “communication helpers,” and the communication helper displays an attitude of empathizing with the other person’s words, asking specific questions, and seeking solutions to any problems.

Becoming a helper welcome by anywhere, anyone

If you can recall an experience where your conversation did not continue and was cut off, you need to carefully reflect on the conversation. Was there anything you said that refuted the other person’s words and rejected them? Didn’t you perhaps force a point just because you considered it important? Didn’t you maybe show a lukewarm attitude toward the other person when he/she was talking? If so, your counterpart could have lost the will to talk.

Whether you are trading with a customer or working on a business matter, conversation is the first tool that you can use, but you can’t start anything with words cutting the conversation. Therefore, in order to facilitate the dialogue itself, you have to listen to the request of your counterpart rather than trying to raise your voice, seeking to solve a problem when it occurs and empathizing even if a complaint is raised first.

And communicating as a helper in this way is not necessarily limited only to conversations with external customers. It is a communication skill that should be applied when collaborating with your colleagues, who are the internal customers. Furthermore, if you converse like a helper, no matter whom you talk to, such as a family member or one of your acquaintances, the conversation will naturally continue anywhere.

GLOVIS CS Cartoon

The following is a fictional cartoon of the story of manager ‘Na,’ who changes from a communication stopper to a helper. Think about what kind of words should go into the empty speech balloon in the cartoon, based on the information introduced above.