Effective communication?

By Chris Trout | February 17, 2008

A recent New York Times articles titled "You remind me of me" talks about the power of matching our body language, voice tone, rhythms, etc. to that of the person we are relating to. Psychologists, they report, "have found that immediate social bonding between strangers is highly dependent on mimicry, a synchronized and usually unconscious give and take of words and gestures that creates a current of good will between two people."

I would like to ask you, my readers, what conscious strategies you use to assure that you are heard when speaking to others. Is it the same with each person? Is it the same with adults and young people? Or does your style change slightly with each person you engage with?

Is this manipulation or just good communication? The Times article ends with this: "Everyone has the right to be charmed but not seduced." Use the comments function below to share your ideas about effective communication vs manipulation, both with and from kids.