Maria Duval

To communicate in an effective way, you must understand that every person perceives the world in a different way.

The first rule: always keep in mind that the “Map of the World” of the person you are speaking to may not be the same as yours. By following this guiding principle, you will approach the relationship with a spirit of openness, to keep benevolent neutrality. Consequently communication has every chance of being profitable, because it is built on respectful and tolerant exchange.

Generally, the people who succeed and are happy take an interest in other people. When someone speaks to you about themselves, their family, their health, their troubles, avoid appearing as disinterested or bored. Don’t start talking about yourself, or else you show a lack of respect and interest in the other person. To behave this way towards other people damages success, and also creates important situations that at first seem trivial.

Next Maria Duval wants emphasise this point: the art of communication comes from listening.

Listening to others is a service that you can perform for them. Nowadays, no one really listens any more, and if you give your time and listen to people you are speaking to or to those you love, you are giving them one of the most beautiful gifts there is.

Try it, and you will realise that people are very sensitive to this and will return your kindness one hundredfold!

Maria Duval also states that there’s a golden rule that you should never break, under pain of “scuttling” communication! Understand that 99 percent of people judge themselves innocent whatever their faults. So do not judge and criticise others on their actions. Communicating well implies not criticising, condemning or complaining.

Finally and importantly, be conscious that every word releases a particular energy, depending on what you think when you say it. What is important is not the word, but the “thought energy” that accompanies it. Different people can speak the same word, but each could have a different effect.