Tips to Strengthen Your Communication Skills

“Intelligence, knowledge or experience are important and might get you a job, but strong communication skills are what will get you promoted.

Mireille Guiliano

 

Knowing how to communicate effectively with people is a must-have “soft skill” for success in life. People who are able to communicate clearly are better equipped to express ideas, convey messages, work with others and build meaningful relationships. Communication is key for advancing careers, negotiating situations and solving conflicts. Having strong communication skills can lead to numerous doors opening and various opportunities presented. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that having superior verbal and written communication enhances job performance while also giving you greater influence. It goes without saying that these skills play a large role in the way we live our lives.

Keep these techniques in mind when communicating with others:

When it comes to making a good impression, eye contact plays an important role. There is a tricky balance of having the right amount of eye contact; too much can be seen as aggressive and too little makes you come across as submissive or disinterested. Finding the golden middle ground allows for you to be viewed positively. A great tip to help you make sure the balance is hit correctly is when speaking with someone give them direct eye contact but break it when there are silent moments. If struggling with making this level of eye contact, try studying the other person's eyes - being an artist in your mind and draw their eyes in detail helps take away from any anxiety attached with looking at someone directly. Making a shift of focus from feeling uncomfortable to observing can empower you and result in better conversations!

Listening is a crucial part of being an effective communicator. Showing someone that you are fully paying attention to them is essential for furthering meaningful conversations. Good listeners are so rare these days and can become quite a novelty in anyone's life as they stand out in comparison to the one-track-minded talkers who dominate many of our conversations. It is important to maintain eye contact but in addition to this, truly listening intently is necessary. To be a great listener, it is key to wait until the other person has finished their thought before starting your own, and resist the urge to add disruptive interjections throughout the conversation. We should all endeavor to be more conscious of how we show up in our relationships by taking a deeper interest in what the other person has to say and engaging with them rather than trying to snatch control from one conversation partner to another.

Being an effective communicator involves more than just speaking words. Regardless of your intent, it's important to structure an open dialogue that allows for a fluid conversation. To do this, there are a number of strategies you can employ to help make conversations memorable and enjoyable. Try asking open-ended questions instead of yes or no questions—for example instead of "Did you like the movie?", ask "What was your favorite part of the movie?". Additionally, be aware of your body language; turn towards the person you're talking to and smile. Knowing what the purpose of communication is also helps guide your conversation and ensure that you meet your goal in the interaction. Whether it's enjoying yourself or negotiating a business contract, having a purpose will give you clarity during your conversation.

Communication is a critical component of any relationship, since it allows us to express our thoughts and feelings with others. When speaking with someone, it is important to take the time to make sure that we are understood and that we have clearly understood their message. This can be done by asking questions, requesting clarification if needed, and repeating what the other person has said in our own words. Ensuring that both parties have a clear understanding of each other’s message will help prevent confusion and miscommunication. Additionally, taking the time to ask questions ensures that both parties feel listened to and respected within a conversation. Improving communication skills can help take relationships to a higher level.

 

Effective communication enriches our lives,
It bridges divides and inspires hope.
The power of words can spark a movement,
Healing wounds and sparking growth.
Our stories connect us to one another;

They are told in various tongues but have

common threads weaved throughout them all

this is the beauty of humanity!