Why is Communication Important?
Many people consider communication a menial component of their personal and professional lives. Although, just because you can talk does that mean you can communicate effectively?
Effective communication is so much more than just exchanging words. It’s about understanding the emotion and intentions behind that information. From clearly conveying a message to using non-verbal communication correctly, effective communication is a core skill you must attain and develop in the working world.
How to Develop Communication Skills?
Want to learn how to build on or improve your communication skills? Here are a few ways to do it.
1. Actively Listen
Let’s face it, we’ve all probably been guilty of losing focus or interrupting someone else when they were speaking. However, to communicate effectively, it’s less about talking and more about listening! Active listening is not just recognizing what is being expressed but showing your speaker you’re interested in what they have to say.
2. Goodbye Conversation Fillers
When conversing it can become like… very distracting when umm… excessive conversations fillers overpower a conversation. Even though it may be unintentional, fillers not only make it difficult to convey your message but portray you as less intelligent and knowledgeable than you actually are.
A great way to work on eliminating fillers is practice, practice, practice! We often find ourselves leaning on these words when nervous or not being able to collect your thoughts. So, take a breath, compose your thoughts and be more self-aware when speaking.
3. Positive Body Language
Body language is the use of physical behaviours, mannerisms, and expressions, that reveal information in a non-verbal way. If you were to say one thing, yet your body language says something else, your listeners will notice.
For that reason, employing positive body movements is a prominent tool to help you communicate clearly, confidently and show your focus. Positive body language may include: maintaining good eye contact, open stances (i.e uncrossed arms), an upright posture and pleasant facial expressions.
4. Keep it Short & Sweet
Take a step back and think if you’re usually the person that dominants a conversation or rambles a little too long. It’s okay to enjoy speaking but you don’t want to become a chatty Cathy.
Say want you need to say, but be concise! By providing enough information for others to understand what you’re trying to get across, you will maintain their attention and keep them eager to engage.
Effective communication skills are the foundation for success in the workplace. Whether you’re a natural public speaker or quiet conversationalist, Brian Tracey states, communication is a skill anyone can learn. Like riding a bicycle or typing, if you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life. Now, it’s just up to you to make it happen!
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