“Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success”
– Paul J Meyer
In today’s age, communication plays a very important role professionally or personally. When competition is at its peak in all aspects of society, communication specially plays a major role.
It is considered as one of the primary soft skills for employees at workplaces, mainly in the IT sector. Enhancing your communication skills easily opens the doors of opportunity and takes you closer to your goals. Good communication is essential for a peaceful, and cheerful life too.
What are Communication Skills?
Communication skills are the ability of a person to share or exchange information with others while correctly understanding the received information.
Famous domestic psychologists such as Vygotsky L, Zaporozhets, Rubinstein, etc., considered communication as one of the main conditions of human development. And an important factor in the formation of human personality.
According to psychology, communication skills perform several important functions in human life like:
- Organizing multiple life activities
- Ensuring the psychological comfort of the individual
- Bringing in mental stability
- Managing human behavior and activities
- Satisfying the communication needs of others
- Helping in Self-assertion
“Communication works best for those who work at it” – John Powell
Let us look into some of the key points that will help you improve your communication skills.
Firstly Listen!
“Real communication is impossible without listening” – Ralph C Medley
Listening is an integral part of communication. To be a good communicator, you must first listen attentively to the other person. It will help you understand and grasp the message being conveyed. Do not always be in a hurry to respond. Being a good listener will help you learn about and from the people around you. The more you listen, the more your inner speaker grows.
Improve Language Skills
Improving your language skills is vital to your overall communication progress. Grammar is important in communication. Don’t stop trying until your grammar is correct. This is essential for effective professional and personalized communication.
Read, and watch television programs, news, etc., to improve your language. Try to formulate the sentences in your mind and review them before you speak.
Good Reading
If good communication is what you’re aiming at, then good reading is a must! Try to read more books as much as possible. If not books, read blogs, articles, or magazines. Reading helps you develop a fine vocabulary. This in turn helps you develop a hold over the language and will make you fluent.
Body Language
“Your body communicates as well as your mouth. Don’t contradict yourself” – Allen Ruddock
When you communicate your body language expresses your inner personality. While you are communicating you don’t just speak verbally your body speaks too. Firstly make yourself physically comfortable, mentally free, and stress-free.
Start with an open mind and remain welcoming and accepting of the kind of audience you have. Also, before you start conversing, do not forget to wear the best clothing called ‘Confidence’ and the best makeup called ‘Smile’!
Be a Good Presenter!
“Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know” – Jim Rohn
More than communication, how you communicate is what matters! You should always make sure that whatever you are trying to communicate is well presented to the audience. Because audiences are usually captivated by the way you communicate more than what you communicate. Bringing in enough expressions, emotions, and enthusiasm to your speech will make your conversations more interesting.
Empathy
Kindness and catering to the feelings of the other person will naturally make you a good communicator. While communicating, being tolerant and understating of the other person’s emotions will make your mutual conversations hearty and happy. Be it a discussion, presentation, or conveying information, communicating in a friendly and pleasant tone will help you easily display empathy.
Open-Mindedness
An important aspect of your communication should be an open-mindedness for receiving and giving feedback. While you are conversing you should be patient enough if the other person wants to clarify or convey something at any point. Also, given a chance, you should freely put forth your opinions or thoughts which shows your interest and involvement in the conversation or discussion.
Constant Practice!
Once your communication skills get a little better don’t stop there. We should always aim at improving them. Some of the ways of improving them are:
- Practicing individually
- Initiating formal or informal conversations with friends, co-workers, etc
- Watching good debates, and presentations
- Involving yourself in group discussions
- Actively participating in group or team discussions at your workplace or other organizations
“Of all the life skills available to us, communication is perhaps the most empowering”
– Brett Morrison
Communication skills may take a lifetime to master! You should always keep exploring ways that enhance your communication skills as they are very individualistic. For example, some learn speech skills quickly by hearing, some by reading, some by experiencing, etc. Although there are external aids to improve your communication, it is said that having a deep understanding of yourself, and possessing firmness and clarity about your life goals is also a trait that can beautify your communication process.
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