Communication is pivotal to the growth of any institution; therefore, developing communication skills is necessary for survival. Good communication skills make you likable, employable, and valuable. Whether you’re a leader, an employee, or a president, the ability to communicate effectively will help you achieve your goals faster.
Communication skills may be more essential in today’s global and technology-driven world. You may have to communicate with people online or talk to people from different cultures. Thus, you must sharpen your communication skills for you to stay relevant.
Types of Communication
Communication is effective only when your listener understands your intended message. Therefore, you must know how to do it well. You must learn the various communication modes as you may need to communicate with people from different backgrounds. Oral or verbal communication involves sharing your thoughts through spoken form. Non-verbal communication requires care since it includes any communication that doesn’t involve speech.
Written communication is generally done through notes, letters, emails, or writing. Non-verbal communication includes gestures, facial expressions, body language, and tone. It can be easily misunderstood, especially between people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, so you must be careful when communicating. Sometimes, you may give your listeners unintended information, leading to confusion. Here are three fail-proof techniques that will help you sharpen your communication skills.
1. Be an Active Listener
Active listening goes beyond hearing. When listening actively, you pay attention to the speaker without thinking of a response. Everyone likes an engaged listener, so show that you are listening during a conversation. You can nod while listening, repeat what you have heard for confirmation, or ask questions. Focus on the speaker without getting involved in other things that may distract you. This way, you will respect the speaker while honing your communication skills.
You should also be careful with your nonverbal communication during this time. Does your face or body show disinterest or boredom? Do you seem closed off? Nonverbal communication is especially important during virtual meetings. Nod intermittently, don’t fold your arms, and maintain eye contact to show that you are listening. This will help you become a better communicator.
2. Learn to Be Concise
One of the charms of effective communication is brevity. Sharpen your communication skills by learning how to be brief but specific. Be concise in your speech and writing so you don’t lose your audience’s interest. No matter how interesting a topic or conversation is, too much talk can bore them. You can provide the right amount of information needed without rambling.
You should also learn to simplify what you’re saying to keep your audience’s interest. Break down complex topics and be straight to the point. One strategy that can help you to be simple and concise is writing what you want to say before you say it. This way, you can remember what you want to say more easily, making you less likely to ramble.
3. Edit Your Speech or Writing
Don’t hit send on a message without reading it. Sometimes, errors and grammatical inaccuracies can hide in your message, and you won’t spot them until you have proofread or read them aloud. You can also use grammar checkers to help you make your writing accurate. If you will be speaking, you should think before doing so. Don’t be impulsive, and don’t speak in the heat of anger, fear or anxiety. Think about how your words will portray you so you can communicate effectively.
You should also communicate positively. Don’t sound angry in your speech and writing, and don’t look angry, either. Smile or use positive language to endear your audience to you. Finally, treat your listeners with respect. Treat them the exact way you would like to be treated.
As with every learning process, honing your communication skills may take some time. However, following the steps outlined in this article will improve your communication skills. Listen actively to the speaker and eliminate all distractions. Be concise and second-guess your words before you speak or hit send.
#Clique, did you find this article helpful? What other simple techniques can you suggest to help others improve their communication skills? Let us know in the comments.
