How to improve communication skills

What are communication skills?

Giving feedback, asking questions, building trust, and summarizing are some of the most highly valued and effective communication skills. However, there are 4 communication skills that are essential, both in the personal and professional spheres. They are- listening, empathy, non-verbal communication, and clarity.

Communication is an essential element for the proper functioning of any company. However, we seldom stop to think about the communication skills to achieve this goal and how we can improve dealings with our teams and collaborators. In this sense, we currently face a double challenge: to effectively communicate our messages and, at the same time, to do so based on the dynamics and flow of information.

So what are the types of communication?

There can be many types. Such as Verbal communication, non-verbal, written, listening as well as visual communication.

Communication serves to transmit and receive messages clearly. Thanks to communication skills, it is possible to give and understand instructions, learn new things, make requests, ask questions, and easily transmit information.

These types of abilities also allow one to adapt to new and different situations, read other people’s behavior, commit to reaching an agreement, have difficult conversations with ease, and avoid and resolve conflicts.

How do communication skills help?

Communication skills are all the capabilities that allow communication between people. In the business field, this is an extremely relevant element, since the efficiency and success of the agreements or negotiations that are to be reached with others depend on it.Developing empathy and learning to focus on other people can help you become a better communicator.

Tips to improve your communication skills

Communication has two elements: verbal communication and non-verbal communication. The first, which is to use words and tone of voice, only drives 10% to 20% of our conversations with others. This means that our non-verbal communication (ie our facial expression, body gesture, and energy projection) determines the remaining 80–90% of our overall communication experience. Don’t forget to ensure 7cs of Communication, which includes clear, correct, complete, concrete, concise, considered, and courteous.

If you follow these 10 tips to improve your communication skills, you will be able to resolve conflicts, seek solutions, build lasting trust, and earn mutual respect.

1. Set a good tone and a good rhythm

Use an appropriate volume and tone to promote effective communication. Speak loudly enough when addressing a group of people to present your message with quality, but turn down the volume during a private conversation. Your tone of voice should also reflect emotion; never speak in a monotonous voice, it even has to be different for people of certain ages, group sizes, and communication topics.

Effective communicators know how to pace a speech, usually speaking clearly as they say each word. Achieving this of course may require taking a break to collect your thoughts and it is that two or three seconds of silence is not a bad thing when you want to control what you say.

2. Use simple words and phrases

If you can use words that are simple and easy to understand, use them. Because if you use a lot of jargon or complex language, you can create confusion about who or who is receiving your message. If you are not sure if the listener understood what you said, check again.

3. listen before you speak

Good communication involves both speaking and listening effectively. So learn to engage with what the speaker is saying by developing the following skills.

• Focus completely on the speaker.
• Understand the emotions communicated.
• Look for non-verbal cues: tone and volume of voice, body language, etc.
• Listen with your right ear to activate the left side of your brain, which processes emotional and vocal understanding.
• Stand up straight with your chin down to pick up the higher vocal frequencies.
• Don’t interrupt, wait until the person speaking has finished speaking.
• Responds to what is said with feelings, smiles, and short comments, such as Really? I see, etc.

4. Use body language effectively

This is one of the most valuable tips to improve your communication skills. Why? Because even when you’re not speaking, you’re constantly sending messages with your body language. Therefore, if you learn to use body language effectively and to read the body language of others, you will enhance your communication skills.

5. Lack of eye contact shows distraction or disinterest.

Sighing and yawning are signs of mental or physical fatigue or boredom.

Crossed arms or tapping feet or toes indicate that you or the receiver is not engaged in the conversation. Use your body language, such as facial expressions, posture, and body movements, to complement the content of your message and reinforce what you are saying. Just nod or shake your head to add meaning to the content.

6. Speak with mutual respect

If people can only remember one thing from your conversation, they will surely remember what they think of you as a person. Therefore, you must satisfy the most basic needs of human emotions by making her feel comfortable, valued, and respected.

Once you learn to communicate respectfully, both verbally and physically, you will be a pleasant person, valued, and well received in the professional environment or in your daily life.

7. Connect with your listeners

This concept takes your awareness of your live listeners to a new and higher level. The location of the conversation or speech, the topic, and even the appearance of the people receiving your message can provide clues that allow you to connect with them on a personal level.

Just make sure to avoid controversial topics like politics and religion.

8. Stay positive

Maintaining a positive attitude during a conversation is very important so that the receivers do not lose interest in what you say, and do not see you as someone unpleasant. How to achieve it? Following these tips to improve your communication skills.

• Avoid negativity or complaints.
• Pay attention to your language to make sure you are not using critical and aggressive words or phrases.
• If you have to express an upset or concern, do so with kind and encouraging words. We know that it is quite a challenge, but it is not impossible.
• Focus on the desired result
• Knowing the result you want to achieve before you start communicating is essential for staying on topic and changing the direction of the conversation, if necessary.

So define what you want to achieve before you start talking. For example:

• Convey facts.
• Resolve a conflict.
• looking for advice.
• Social link.

Ultimately, the desired outcome determines the flow and content of the conversation.

9. Appreciation for the attention given

Whenever you address a group of people or engage in a long conversation, express your appreciation for the time the listeners took with you. Also, have the courage to acknowledge, comment on, or praise any contributions made by your listeners. In this way, you will build positive relationships, a characteristic feature of those who know how to exercise effective communication.

10. Practice

Knowing these tips is not enough to improve your communication skills, you have to put them into practice. Of course, try to choose low-risk situations to do it until you feel comfortable with a larger group.

Social situations where there are not many people are a good starting point. In the meantime, watch listeners’ reactions to determine how well you’re employing these communication practices.

Conclusions

The implementation of each of these tips to improve your communication skills can determine both the success and failure of your conversations, debates, speeches and your social interactions. And it is that when you transmit a message in a clear, safe, and respectful way, you minimize intercultural misunderstandings and maximize performance.

It is also necessary to know how to listen, be positive and be grateful to generate trust and harmony in any environment. The fact is that these elements will help you create a culture of good and supportive socialization. Hope the article on Ghoori Learning will help you to improve your communication skills.