COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Communication is the process of exchanging information, thoughts, feelings and ideas between people and group, which can be done through verbal as well as non-verbal mode. Effective and good communication skills are crucial for building relationships allowing you to connect with others on a deeper level fostering trust and intimacy. Communication skills are also vital for encouraging good teamwork, resolving conflicts and achieving goals both professionally and personally.

Clear communication helps navigate disagreements and also helps find agreeable solutions for everyone. Strong communication skills are important for working effectively with colleagues and your team by sharing thoughts and ideas. It is a important for the workplace so that information between employees can be exchanged without any miscommunication that can cause delay in work and their tasks can be performed successfully on time. Excellent communication skills are beneficial in every profession. Here are a few ways to develop and hone your communication skills:

Active Listening:

Listening well means comprehending well. There is a difference between actively listening to someone and simply hearing. Active listening means engaging yourself with completely with whoever is speaking to you. It also means observing closely what verbal and non-verbal messages are being communicated. With active listening, you are attuned to the speaker’s thoughts and feelings and also are aware of the subtle cues of the speaker. When you fully concentrate on the conversation and understand their perspective, you are able to respond thoughtfully. Active listening allows you to gather information properly and make decisions accordingly. This will lead to meaningful and productive conversations.

Emotional Intelligence:

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to understand and mange your emotions as well as the emotions of others. Emotional Intelligence makes you aware of your surroundings and experiences and helps you express yourself constructively. People who are emotionally intelligent are self motivators and don’t need external factors to be productive Emotional intelligence enables people to understand and manage their own emotions and of others encouraging empathy and deeper relationships with others. It also enables people to take and give back feedback constructively leading to self-growth. By focusing on our feeling and thoughts, people gain an insight on how and when to identify certain emotions during communication. This can help form appropriate responses, solve problems and also resolve conflicts easily.

Be Clear and Concise:

Being clear and concise in communication ensures messages are understood clearly, saving time and avoiding misunderstandings or misinterpretations promoting efficiency. To be clear and concise, you should know your audience and customize your language to your audience’s level of understanding and interest. Be clear what message you want to convey and use simple language. Plan what facts you want to say and structure your content. Being clear and coherent with your message, whether it is a spoken message or a written one, ensures that your message has been understood accurately and there will be no miscommunication.

Practice Public Speaking:

Public speaking is a very important yet daunting form of communication. Practicing public speaking improves communication skills by honing oral delivery, building confidence and enhancing the ability to connect with an audience. A very common fear people have around the world is glossophobia or the fear of speaking. Public speaking can make anyone feel nervous and anxious but it is one of the most crucial aspects of effective communication. In the workplace and especially in professions like public relations, teaching, broadcasters, corporate trainers, healthcare specialists, consultants amongst others, public speaking is required. Practice your speech out loud and focus on your pacing and tone. Practice in front of the mirror or record yourself giving the speech. Be thorough with your content and research so you are completely confident and ready to present on the topic and are prepared for any questions or concerns the audience might raise.

Body Language:

Body language, including facial expressions, gestures, and postures can convey a person’s emotions, intentions, and attitude. Positive body language like an open posture and eye contact encourages a connection and builds trust with others. Body language also offers context to verbal communication, which helps listeners understand the underlying meaning of the message. To perfect body posture to effectively communicate, focus on projecting confidence through posture, maintain eye contact with your audience, use appropriate gestures and also actively listen and engage with others. You can practice your body language in a mirror, pay attention to yourself and ask trusted friends or colleagues for feedback and constructive criticism to improve your body language.