Communicating with others is an essential part of life. Whether you’re talking to a friend, giving a presentation at work or school, or writing a blog post, you need to be able to clearly convey your thoughts and ideas.
In fact, it’s one of the most important skills you can develop as a student and professional. That’s why I’ve developed this guide—to help you improve your communication skills and take your career to the next level!
Here are some tips to help you develop effective communication skills:
Listen attentively
Effective communication is about listening. It’s about being a good listener, and paying attention to what others are saying. We often think of effective communication as something that happens when you’re speaking—but really, it’s more important to be a good listener. If you’re not actively listening to what others are saying, how can you expect them to understand what you’re trying to convey?
So instead of focusing on talking, focus on listening. Make sure you take notes if you need them—and ask clarifying questions if there are things you don’t understand. If the person speaking is having trouble getting their point across, let them know that they can take their time or explain things differently so that everyone understands the message.
Use appropriate body language
It’s easy to overlook the importance of non-verbal communication when it comes to effective communication. But in fact, non-verbal cues like facial expressions and body language can be just as important as the words you use.
When you’re speaking with someone, make sure your body language conveys interest and engagement. You don’t want to look like a statue! Keep your head up, make eye contact (if appropriate), nod your head occasionally, and lean in toward the person you’re talking with. This will let them know that what they have to say is important—and that you’re interested in learning more about it.
Speak clearly and concisely
In the world of business and customer service, it’s important to keep things simple. You want your audience to understand what you’re saying, and if you use jargon or complicated phrases that can confuse them, they’re less likely to take in your message—and more likely to get frustrated and tune out.
You may think you’re being cool by throwing around terms like “double-blind study” or “social media influencer,” but all you’re doing is making yourself look like a jargon-y jerk.
Be confident
It’s easy to feel nervous or unsure when you’re communicating with someone else, but confidence is an essential part of effective communication. When you talk to someone, you want them to know that you’re sure of yourself and your message. This sends a strong message that you are confident in yourself and what you’re saying, which helps others feel comfortable around you.
It’s important to remember that people are more likely to listen to what you say if they feel like it comes from a place of strength and security.
Be empathetic
When you’re communicating with someone, it’s important to remember that we all have different personalities. Some people can be very direct and straightforward, while others may be more sensitive or emotional. Others may be somewhere in the middle.
It’s important to respect these differences when communicating with others. After all, the way you communicate is often tied up in your own personality and how you see the world.When you try to put yourself in the shoes of the person you’re speaking with—and consider their perspective—it can help you understand their feelings and motivations better, and therefore communicate more effectively.
Give and receive feedback
Feedback is essential for improving your communication skills. Seek feedback from others on your communication style and use that feedback to improve your approach. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when you are communicating with someone, but it’s important to take a step back and evaluate how you are coming across.
When you receive feedback on your communication style, try to be open-minded about what the person has said. It’s possible that there are things that they have noticed that you didn’t realize were an issue. If this is the case, it’s important to acknowledge these issues so you can work on them going forward.
Additionally, if someone gives you feedback that isn’t constructive or helpful, try not to get defensive or angry—instead try asking them questions about why they feel the way they do. This will give them an opportunity to explain their point of view and allow everyone involved in the conversation better understand where each other stands on the topic being discussed.
Practice, practice, practice
The key to developing effective communication skills is practice. Look for opportunities to communicate, such as public speaking, presentations, or group discussions, and use these opportunities to practice and refine your skills.
You can also practice by simply talking with others one-on-one. Start by saying something simple like “how are you?” Then ask questions about their day—their favorite part of it, what they did that day, what they’re looking forward to doing next week—and listen carefully for their responses. The more you practice this kind of conversation, the better you’ll get at it!
RUCHI RATHOR Founder & CEO
Payomatix Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
FOUNDER AND INVESTOR | PAYMENTS PROCESSING EXPERT | MERCHANT ACCOUNT SOLUTIONS | WHITE LABELLED PAYMENT GATEWAY | Dreamer, Creator, Achiever, Constantly Evolving
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