The festive season can be a challenging time when communicating with family, friends and colleagues.

Communication is the response that you receive from the other party. An effective communicator is aware of this and works to ensure that their message is clearly understood.

It is easy to blame the misunderstanding of your communication on the other person. Have you ever had a conversation with a person and wondered how they could have possibly misunderstood your meaning? The frustration that follows often leads to further misunderstandings.

Each year, in the lead up to Christmas, I enjoy the experience of the David Jones choir in their Sydney store. The choir communicates the spirit of Christmas through their carols. The audience, although busy with their Christmas shopping, stop to enjoy the carols.

The response to the choir is always a very positive one. Their communication is very effective. The experience reinforces for me the importance of clearly communicating my message with those around me.

Now that Christmas is almost upon us, have you considered how well you communicate with those around you and how you can minimise mis-communication?

Here are three tips to assist you with your communication during the festive season.

Tip #1

Consider the medium of the communication.

Is it face-to-face, via the telephone, email, Skype or social media?

What effect will that medium have on your communication?

Tip #2

Place yourself in the shoes of the person with which you are communicating and 'see' your communication through their eyes.

Are you as clear in your communication as you thought?

Tip #3

Have you explained yourself well?

Again, place yourself in the shoes of the person with whom you are communicating – would you understand your message?

By considering these three tips, your communication with family, friends and colleagues may not be so challenging.

All the best for the festive season!