Being able to communicate is effectively one of the most important soft skills one must possess. Effective communication is the key to success, not just in professional but also in personal life.
Communication is one of the most important skills you require for a successful life. -Catherine Pulsifier
Communication skills are necessary for sharing one's thoughts emotions and ideas. It is the medium for humans through which we exchange information.
Plus, it allows us to actively listen in conversations, speaking in public places, observing, and give and take feedback from people.
What are communication skills?
In simple words, communication is transferring information from one place to another. You can use verbal or non-verbal methods to communicate effectively.
Good communication skills help you to communicate effectively through any medium such as telephonic conversations, face-to-face conversations, email, or social media.
Communication skills play an important role when it comes to a job. Working in teams, in groups effectively with people is a requirement of every job. And hence, having great communication skills can help you stand out from the crowd.
Communication is of different types, vocal, written, visual, etc. Vocal or verbal communication makes use of speech. Written communication is books, magazines, emails, websites. Visual communication makes use of logos, charts, graphs, or maps.
Another important aspect of communication is non-verbal communication. This type consists of the use of body language, voice, tone, pitch, gestures, and movements.
If you just communicate you can get by. But if you communicate skillfully you can work miracles. -Jim Rohn
Communication skills example list:
The above types will help you to learn and improve your communication skills. Effective communicators can balance personal and professional life. The following examples will help you improve your communication skills:
1. Active listening
Being an active listener is a prerequisite of effective communication. Active listening refers to paying attention to what others have to say.
A good listener listens to even that what has not being said. That means, a good listener, perfectly understands what the person is saying. What is the meaning behind his or her words?
What things are they trying to convey? A good listener needs to be empathetic. You can only reply or answer correctly if you're able to understand what the person is saying.
Caring about others' feelings and emotions is a must in any conversation. And so, to be a good speaker, you must first be a good listener.
2. Know your audience
It is very important to know who you are talking to where does the person stand in terms of understanding that particular topic.
In other words, you need to match the frequency. You need to know your audience so that you can make things easy for them to understand.
The ultimate purpose of communication is exchanging of information. The easier you make it for the receivers, the more effective it turns out to be.
3. Friendliness
Be honest and be kind. Maintaining a friendly gesture whenever you are in a conversation makes you more approachable.
People around you feel comfortable talking with you and they can open up to you without hesitation.
Be polite. Take interest in the conversation. Make sure you try to understand them. Build mutual trust. Smile often and keep a warm gesture.
4. Confidence
Being a confident person is important to interact with people. People tend to respond to the one who is confident enough.
They feel a sense of trust that their problems or issues will be solved by the one who is confident in his/her actions. Therefore, be confident. Maintain eye contact while speaking.
Keep a confident gesture, sharp hand movements, and impressive body language. Take the initiative to start a conversation. Encourage people to talk to you.
This will make the conversation, less awkward. People around you will feel worthy and they won't hesitate to talk to you.
5. Empathy
Empathy is understanding people. To see things through their eyes. To listen to things through their ears and to feel things through their hearts. Empathy is about seeing the world from others' perspectives.
Empathy is a quality of character that can change the world. -Barack Obama
These words, by Barack Obama, beautifully state the importance of empathy. Empathy is surely a quality of character.
With empathy, you can solve the greatest, the hardest problems. You can help people to calm down.
You can ensure them that they are being understood. When you are empathetic, you respond, with a calm mind.
You make sure that you understand the reason behind a person's anger or frustration. And you help them control these negative emotions by understanding them. You spread positivity and happiness wherever you go when you are empathetic.
6. Responsiveness
Responsiveness is very important when it comes to a conversation. You need to be attentive.
You need to respond so that the person who is conversing or interacting with you knows that you are interested in what he or she is saying.
Responsiveness is also important when you are supposed to give or get feedback. it is important to respond to feedback and acknowledgments. They are a medium through which you get a chance to improve your abilities.
7. Volume and clarity
While speaking, it's important to be specific and concise. Keep it loud and clear. Make sure you don't sound jumbled.
Organize your thoughts before you speak. Speak just loud enough that you are audible to the last person in the room. If you are presenting to a large crowd make sure you adjust your mic before you begin speaking.
Don't be too loud, or shrill especially while speaking with the help of a mic. Incorporate intonations while you speak. Sow your enthusiasm and avoid being monotonous.
How to improve your communication skills?
1. Ask a close friend or colleague for constructive criticism
You can improve your communication skills by asking for the opinion of your friends, or colleagues.
Ask them to give you honest feedback on where you need to improve. This will help you in improving in the areas where you lack.
2. Practice improving communication habits
Trying to communicate effectively can be made a habit. Once you practice effective communication in daily life, it will eventually become a habit. And then you will not need to worry about being in a conversation.
Making the first move to start the conversation, giving positive feedback, reminding yourself to make eye contact, and asking questions are some of the habits that you can incorporate into your day-to-day life.
These will greatly improve your communication skills.
3. Attend workshops or classes
Attending various workshops, seminars can help you in improving your communication skills.
You can see how a speaker presents himself or herself can try to improve on your weak points. This will help you to become an effective speaker.
4. Explore opportunities to communicate
Make a move to find the opportunities that require communication skills. you can learn new skills and improve the existing ones.
Engage with people frequently. Initiate conversations and try to become a part of as many conversations as possible.
This article must have given you a better idea of what are communication skills and how to develop them.
Communication is one of the most important parts of human life. We often talk a lot but fail to communicate effectively. Communication isn't just about talking. Effective communication consists of many factors that need to be taken into consideration.
Inculcating communication skills can give you an edge in both your personal and professional life. Being a good communicator adds a point to your overall personality.
By engaging in conversations, by communicating skillfully you can open doors to many opportunities. Possessing good communication skills can keep you in limelight in a group of people and there's a possibility that everyone would like to be around you.
With the help of the above-mentioned things, you can definitely improve your communication skills. Having great communication skills can never harm you.
So, get going! Success awaits.
What's your strongest communication skill? Let us know in the comments.
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