“The way we communicate with others & with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.”
Tony Robbins
If the quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our communication skills, then confident communication needs to be a priority when teaching our children to be ready for the real world. So where do we start?
As most of us know, Communication is made up of so much more than words. So, we need to start by explaining to our children that there are two main types of communication. Verbal and Nonverbal. We have the words we speak, and then we have the way we speak, look, listen, and move.
The way we stand, move and carry ourselves communicates a wealth of information to those around us. Nonverbal communication includes the way we stand, sit and subtle movements like gestures with hands and face. This quickly tells people on the other end if they can trust us or not. Our body language also reveals whether or not our words are true so it’s important that these cues match up with what you want them to think about your message!
We all have a way of communicating with our bodies. The way we stand and carry ourselves says something about who we are. We can’t always control what people think, but there are certain things that will help reduce negative impressions someone might form from these observations. So, to communicate at a higher level, our Leadership Program students start by practicing three basic skills:
I. STAND TALL
Since we train our students to have good posture by practicing Kung Fu power moves & stances, the negative “Stop Slouching” command that they get from other adults is easily replaced by positive “Stand Tall!”
II. EYE CONTACT
The second skill they practice in the Leadership program is making sure that their eye contact is steady and confident. This shows the other person that the speaker is engaged in what’s going on with this conversation, and gives the listener a better chance of catching up with what they’re saying.
III. CLEAR VOICE
Speaking clearly is a very important aspect of communication and sometimes a challenge for teens and tweens. This second step helps by showing that the message is being understood without having to repeat themself.
1 + 2 +3 = CONFIDENCE
The goal for our Life Skill coaches, is to help guide your child to become a
Confident Communicator
AND Martial Art Athlete!
How? Preparation! Preparation is key to success! It will help your child be prepared for challenging situations, and it also makes them feel more optimistic in their abilities and positive about their future. Plus practicing our fun communication skill drills helps so when they speak with others they won’t fidget, fluster or become tongue-tied because of nervousness – which means a better life experience all around. With Confident Communication skills, they can relax and live their life to the fullest.
