7 Proven Strategies for Improving Your Communication Skills Quickly and Easily
Every human being has a unique potential, but there are a few skills that each of us must have. Communication is one of them!!
When I was younger my dad used to take me to elocution competitions. I am an introvert but being on stage looking into the eye of people without being afraid is what those competitions taught me. I also attended elocution events where speakers would be asked questions on their chosen topics. This kind of format required being thorough with your topic, analyzing the question, and presenting your answer in a concise manner.
At 21, when I was preparing for my first interview I was nervous because English isn't my first language.
I prepared for months by building my vocabulary, participating in group discussions, and mock interviews to convey my thoughts clearly in another language. I also learned that communication is not just about coveying, it's also about understanding what the other person has to say.
Communication is a skill that needs to be built over time and I can firmly say that because these incidents and experiences built it without me even knowing.
Whether you are a student, blogger, or a corporate employee, if you are looking to build your communication skills here are 7 tips for you:
1. Sharpen Your Listening Skills to Become a Better Conversationalist
The first person I pay attention to in a photograph is ME!!!
Modern Family is my recent binge-watch sitcom. In one of the episodes, Phil makes some huge blunders and passes the flu to the whole family. He is scared that everyone will find out that he is the culprit when they watch Mitch’s wedding video. To his surprise, everyone watches the video, and no one points that out because…. they are busy watching themselves.
Most times, we are so engrossed in talking about ourselves that we don't pay attention to the details around us.
The basic instinct we have is to respond,
How can I share my idea in the meeting when my colleague is sharing hers?
How can I share an interesting story when my friend is sharing his?
In this quest we miss out on the important details that can make the conversation fruitful, we show a lack of interest and that's the biggest barrier you create between you and the person you communicate with.
A conversation is always two-way so you are heard when you do the same.
2. Learn from the content you consume. Movies, sitcoms, podcasts, books, etc.
The biggest barrier that most people face while communicating is language.
When I was preparing for my 1st job interview I attended mock group discussions and soft skills trainings. There I learned a lot from my fellow participants.
We work with a diverse workforce in corporate and the fact remains that we need to develop English speaking skills.
There are 2 ways to improve your communication skills, one is to speak and the other is to listen. If your circle doesn't speak English the easiest way to learn would be digital content. Movies, sitcoms, and podcasts are easily available resources that can improve your English.
3. Build Self-Awareness to Become a Better Communicator
Knowing where you stand and where you are going is an important ability.
Clarity of thoughts is important when you have to convey them to other people. For example, As a blogger when I write opinionative articles I need to be clear about my thought process. Readers may agree or disagree with them. But my views should influence them to pick a side.
There are many ways you can improve self-awareness
- Reflection — Take out some time before your meetings or presentations, to reflect on what you want to communicate
- Journaling — Write down your opinions
- Feedback — Always ask for feedback
- Self-assessment — Do a self-assessment after your presentations about what went positively and what went wrong
- Meditation — Connect with yourself and become calm before connecting with others.
4. Learn How To Speak Clearly and Professionally
For professional growth an important soft skill is networking.
When I started my corporate career I witnessed even skilled professionals struggling because they were not speaking confidently. It was challenging for them to build trust with the mentors and network with other colleagues.
Tips to sound more clear and professional
- Speak clearly and slowly — This will help you enunciate your words and make sure your audience can understand you.
- Use a moderate volume — You don’t want to be too loud or too soft. Aim for a volume that is easy to hear but not overwhelming.
- Use pauses — Pausing between sentences and phrases can help you to emphasize your points and make your speech more engaging.
- Avoid filler words — Filler words like “um,” “like,” and “you know” can make you sound unsure of yourself. Try to eliminate these words from your speech.
5. Work on Your Writing Ability to Get Your Message Across Effectively
Whether you present your ideas in a meeting, create a PowerPoint presentation, or simply write an email, convey your ideas in a clear and concise manner.
Effective email writing can save you a lot of time with meetings.
Some effective email writing tips
- Start with a clear and concise subject line.
- Be professional and polite, watch your tone.
- Proofread your email before sending it.
6. Be aware of your body language
Communication is not always verbal, you convey a lot without even saying anything.
It is often said that body language accounts for up to 55% of all communication.
A gesture that's a sign of respect in one culture might be considered offensive by others, hence when you communicate with people from a different region it's important to be aware of the cultural differences.
Key aspects you should consider for having an effective interaction
- Convey respect through your body language
- Show that you are open to communicate
- Maintain eye contact
- Share a firm handshake
- Smile, be pleasant
7. Get feedback from your mentors, teachers, or colleagues.
Who can give you better feedback than your own network?
I don't believe in having a single mentor. We are surrounded by people with experience in different areas, even our juniors. Consider them to be your potential mentors. Most importantly mentors provide you with the support you need and can point you to useful resources.
All you need to do is “BE OPEN to receiving feedback and USE IT to improve your skills”.
