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  • Essay / The Importance of Personal Soft Skills - 771

    As I reflect on my abilities in these areas, I find that I use paraphrasing, thinking, and nonverbal communication skills most often. These skills haven't always come naturally to me, but they are ones that I have learned to place considerable emphasis on when communicating. Paraphrasing or rephrasing words used by the client often communicates with the people you are listening to and allows for correction (Mehr and Kanwischer, 2011). I have found it to be a useful tool for working with people with intellectual disabilities. This builds rapport quickly because it allows the client to ensure that I understand what they are communicating. Similarly, Mehr and Kanwischer (2011) describe reflection as a way to help a client become aware of their feelings by listening to what is being said between the lines. I tend to listen both to what a person tells me and to what they imply but don't say. I find that when I say what someone can't find words to explain, an immediate connection occurs that helps the person feel freer to speak openly. Finally, I am continually aware of nonverbal communication, both in what I portray and what the other person shows. I observe people's body language, eye contact, and gestures when they speak to identify consistency in what they are saying and what they are representing. It's completely natural to assume that others also make these assumptions about me, which is why I make a conscious effort to ensure that I appear open and forthcoming.