5 Things To Practice for Effective Communication Skills
Having effective communication skills is imperative for your success. Positive communication will certainly increase the opportunities you find in your career and business. Having good communication skills will enable you to get ahead in certain areas where others who are less assertive may not succeed. A few things to keep your eyes on while practicing the fine art of communication are:
Body Language
Do not shy away from the person with whom you are speaking. Be sure to maintain a relaxed, but not slouching posture, regardless whether you are the one speaking or listening. Other things that ensure your body is communicating your attentiveness to the conversation can include:
- Making eye contact.
- Nodding occasionally to acknowledge a strong point in the conversation.
- Standing with hands clasped in front of you, never crossing your arms.
- Not displaying nervous ticks such as wringing hands, picking at your nails, or anything that the person communicating with you will view as a distraction from their conversation.
Speech and Attentiveness
When speaking, you need to be clear and concise. Speak on important matters directly and do not waste time with long drawn out stories that will cause your listener’s mind to wander. Make sure you ask whether they understand, and be willing to further explain any of your points. Do not expect someone to just “know” what you are saying, even if it is crystal clear in your own mind.
In addition, one of the most important aspects of verbal communication is the ability to practice active listening. This is not just actively waiting to talk. Always make mental notes of key points when someone is speaking to you. That way once you are given a chance to speak, you can respond to the most vital issues being dealt with. When others are speaking, try to think about the exact words that they are saying. If you practice this, you will comprehend and contain 75 percent more of the information that you hear.
Communication Consistency
Maybe your weakness is in the quality or quantity with which you communicate to your employees. Communication seems to have dwindled to superficial small talk. Great communicators practice the ability of consistent communication by remaining available. Do not be afraid to be the one who voices any concerns or difficulties. However, ensure that you are practicing open and honest communication with those who may depend on you. Be available and bold with tact.
Be sure to leave communication lines open to those who may need to address problems with you. You will find that you prevent the small issues that normally have the habit of becoming large ones by making those in your life aware that you are open to discussing issues at any time.
Patience
During your communications with others always give them time to communicate their issues as well. Remaining focused on what they are trying to communicate will show them that you are indeed open to assisting with their issues. Many of people’s communication lines tend to break down on the side where impatience is in a rush to get out of the conversation. Since you cannot control the other side, do yourself a favor and take a breath. The conversation you’re involved in is important.
If you are confused as to what someone may be requesting, than repeat back to him or her what you think they said and ask if that is correct. Often this will inspire the speaker to be more in-depth about their needs, which will help you to understand them fully.
Practicing Effective Communication Skills
If someone has communicated a need or an issue to you, then your main priority should be to aid him or her in repairing the problem. Following up on an issue is the only way to convince others whom you need to communicate with that you have listened to them and that their problems or issues are important to you as well.
Practicing strong follow-up will also leave the impression that you are involved in the bigger picture. When people see this commitment, they will know you are open to future communications. This creates a loyal and discerning surrounding that cultivates positive movement and communication. This will develop a strong sense of confidence in those with whom you communicate.
Conclusion
Since the world is so incredibly diverse and communications come in such a wide variety of forms, it is important to know many appropriate and helpful interpersonal skills. By practicing the few suggestions found here, you will find yourself understanding more of what people say and repeating yourself less to other people. Your co-workers and friends will have the confidence to come to you when they find themselves in need. Remember, great communication skills take practice. Do not give up on Day One. Your ability to express yourself will grow almost daily as long as you apply yourself in improving communication skills.
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really i enjoyed and i accept the fact of your opinion about the communication.
Good tips to everybody who need to speach with your client.
Thank you very much for this post.
It was very helpful to me to put things together.
Effective Communication is truly one of the best investments a person can do in his career.
Altough I still lack practice with the English language, I can feel very impressive improvements in my home language (Portuguese), wich already gave me some good results.
Thank you, again.
Best Regards.
Body language is the one that I notice a lot form people..the way you stand and do your hand gestures let me know you level of nervous. So you must practice on calming down and just letting the words flow..
“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”
Sometimes you just have to relax and know you got this. I agree with you completely.
The definition of being an Active Listener is:
“Listening with no agenda.”
If you are thinking about your reply you are not actively listening.
– from Essential Skills Training
“Listening with no agenda.” I like that.
Hi:
I write a blog on listening, so I’m constantly thinking and learning about it. I’d add to your points that listening differs according to culture and listening styles. For example, making eye contact is quite western, so telling someone from another culture to look a person in the eye, may be a cultural taboo. Also, when a conceptualizing listener (one of the four modes I’ve uncovered) is really paying attention, he will most probably look beyond the speaker to allow ideas to enter the interaction. Thus, either of the people I’ve cited could be perceived as not listening, when, in fact, they are.
Thanks
Thanks for your input regarding the cultural differences of positive communication. Your absolutely right.
Thanks! You nailed it.
‘Attentiveness’ is really important. An active listening skill makes communication better. If we listen seriously, the more we understand what people really need. I believe successful entrepreneurs aren’t just keen observers but also great listeners.
WELL SAID IT REALLY TRUE OBSERVING MATTER TO DEAPTH AND LEARNING’S THING MAKE LOT OF DIFFERENCE . WHICH LEAD A PERSON ONE STEP CLOSER TO ACTIVE COMMUNICATOR………… SHORT AND MEANINGFUL SPEECH CONVEY A VERY BEAUTIFUL THOUGHTS MESSAGES
Joshua, I was going to hone in on one (Body language) but by the time I read them all, they are all crucial to consistent communication. In fact, I would say that the more you build communication with people, the more Patience becomes key. A willingness to understand people’s shortcomings as we are more aware of our own. Thank you for posting!
I’m not sure why but this site is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
Hello,
Thank you so much for this beautiful tips on communications skills
I know its gonna work for me.
Cheers
Amos
Thank you so much for this beautiful tips and top blog
top blog thank you very much
thank you for this tips it help me a lot
to improve my communication skills.
Thanks a lot for help
Thanks for help ,
Thanks for the post. I’ve really learnt a lot.
thank you all for these thing you all said very helpful i know something from them. i am a student looking for these things on the web but i see them here with you ..thank you i learn very much…
A tremendous work yous have here….it’s really gorgeous I confess. Thanks alot because you had helped thousands of people out there….
It’s really nice to read these points on effective communication skill. Hope it should work & i will give a try.
that wasnt good you ponce
thank u that really helped!!
my perspective is that one should perform every aspect of effective presentation skills
ALLAH help me and make me a good communicator!
awesome article im going to use some of these killer tips in my communication and conflict resolution class
cheers
Showing that speaker is honest and confident in what she is saying, depends a lot on body gesture and language. You shouldn’t look away from Listener whole time and show palms to communicate effectively. BTW, I couldn’t find the five exercises or practices in the topic.
Dinesh,
The five exercises are: Body Language, Speech and Attentiveness, Communication Consistency, Patience, and Practicing Effective Communication Skills. Thanks for reading!
–
Pooja
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Many thanks
for supplying these details.
Hey Josh,
Nice little article u wrote there. I’m currently doing my management course and we are required to explore on companies that practices good internal communication. Could you name me a few and how does these companies practices good communication between managers and their staffs?
Thanx….
‘Attentiveness’ is really important. i have developed in me and got good sucess.
thanks for details……
I am not a good speaker but after reading all this i will be definitely achieve to my target of speaking english with fluency and smoothly …… Practice out….work out on above all such points will be great impact on me from today onwards………..So practice it because practice makes the man perfect……………….
thanks for your help through this website
I appreciate your help. be blessed!
Thanks A lot,,,
i read effective communication/
Presentation skill is significant for managers. We need to prepare ourselves mentally while presenting. Beside having knowledge, being confident is must.
This is nice and educating, is real. thanks . Onyikiels, Nigeria
Excellent article!!!
I do agree that effective communication cant be achieved in a single day instead it requires a lot of practise.
I will do that for sure 🙂
Thx Again
Cheers,
Michael
communication is self power thank
Superb comment! I inspired much to know more about this site and get increase my speaking tongue.
thanks .
hey this site help me a lot thank you so much
hi
thank u for the best tips to improve our skills and to know about wat are the basics we required to be a good listener and learner.
Guys thanxs alot it’s really been nice to pick a leaf frm yo work, hop 2 kip empowering @ atha
Hi………
Thanks for your tips, Definitely it help us to communicate with peoples
thanks for this post. really i learn and very useful.
Thank you very much for this post. It was very helpful to me to put things together. Effective Communication is truly one of the best investments a person can do in his career. Altough I still lack practice with the English language, I can feel very impressive improvements in my home language (Portuguese), wich already gave me some good results.
Let me make this happen.. 😀
Thanks dude! 🙂
Thank you very much for this post. It was very helpful to me to put things together. Effective Communication is truly one of the best investments a person can do in his career. Altough I still lack practice with the English language, I can feel very impressive improvements in my home language (Portuguese), wich already gave me some good results
Really solid tips. You should check out our movie, also about effective communication skills: http://speakthemovie.com/effective-communication-skills
After reading about effective communication skills here I see my self in a different world where I need to behave so smart as I talk and listen for a decent successful life.Smiles….
Yes, we have 2 ears & 1 mouth.. It’s better for to us to hear rather than speak.. 🙂
Hi,
Thanks for your tips for communication. I am a shine person, your post inspired me. I real want to practice all your points into my daily work and life. Gool luck to me! 🙂
Dony