Effective communication is the cornerstone of every healthy relationship, both personal and professional. This isn’t new information, of course, but the reality is most of us aren’t very good communicators. Even if you have strong skills and may even be told this by others, you can always improve by honing your skills.

Whom you are communicating with—whether you know the person or this is your first interaction—naturally changes the dynamic of how you approach a conversation. If it’s the former, what I’m about to share will absolutely allow you to take what you already know about the person a step further. If it’s the latter, you will take away some helpful ways to learn about the person quickly so you can connect with them right off the bat.

When you think you know a person, how much do you really know about what truly drives them, motivates them, or triggers them? What are their inherent drivers that you need to meet to effectively communicate with them? Conversely, what are your needs that must be met or that you should be aware of so you can manage yourself and react appropriately during a conversation?

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