How to Improve Your Communication Skills

How to Improve Your Communication Skills
If you want to improve your verbal communication skills, the first thing you need to do is decide on an outcome that’s specific and measurable, such as I will be able to clearly articulate my points during meetings or I will reduce my stuttering by 50 percent. If you can’t define what you’re aiming for, you won’t know if you’ve achieved it or not. Next, it’s time to decide how you want to measure this outcome and how often you want to check in with yourself in order to gauge your progress.

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How to Improve Your Communication Skills

Eye Contact

Good eye contact is so important for improving your verbal communication skills. Make sure you’re making good eye contact when you’re speaking with someone; it makes them feel comfortable and helps create a rapport with them. It also demonstrates confidence, which gives people more confidence in what you have to say. People can tell if you’re faking it or not, so make sure that you aren’t looking at their nose while they talk or looking around while they are talking. Practice in front of a mirror until it comes naturally.

The next verbal communication skill is active listening. Active listening involves more than just hearing what someone is saying, but also understanding their feelings and emotions in addition to what they are saying.

It’s as much about reading body language as it is about paying attention. In most cases, if you are actually listening to what someone says and understanding them, then your body language will reflect that. For example, if someone says I’m excited for tomorrow night because we’re going out with my friends! you can say something like I bet you can’t wait! I love hanging out with friends!

Listening skills are vital in verbal communication. In addition to active listening, it’s also important that you take notes while someone is talking. Not only does it help you remember what they said, but it can also show that you are interested in what they have to say and demonstrate a certain level of respect for them.

It’s as much about giving people your undivided attention and showing interest as it is about taking notes, so don’t get caught up thinking about something else or checking your phone when someone is speaking; make sure you focus on them and their words. You can then go back and review your notes after the conversation has ended so you have an accurate account of what was said.

The next communication skill is paraphrasing. Paraphrasing basically means saying in your own words what someone has said so that they know you understand them and are interested in what they have to say. You can do it verbally or even write it down, but make sure you’re not just repeating what they said verbatim, as that doesn’t actually demonstrate that you were listening at all. This skill really comes into play when a situation arises where there may be a miscommunication between two people.

The next communication skill is summarising. Summarising means taking a chunk of information and putting it into your own words so that you can get back to what you were doing without having to spend all day reading or listening.

It also means that if there is something important, such as a message or details, you’ll remember what they are. Be careful though, as summarising doesn’t mean leaving out key details; it just means being brief enough so that it doesn’t take longer than necessary to go over everything.

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How to Improve Your Communication Skills

Control Your Breathing

Breathing deeply is a simple thing that can calm you down and help you be more persuasive. As you inhale, it should feel like you’re filling your lungs from your diaphragm all the way up to your chest and neck.

Exhaling should feel as though you’re blowing air out of a tire that was just relieved of its pressure. Take deep breaths in through your nose (inhale) and exhale slowly through your mouth (exhale). Start breathing deeply now, and do so throughout these tips below. If nothing else, notice how much calmer you feel!

Another breathing trick that can help you in your professional life is alternating between inhaling through your nose and out through your mouth. This way, you’re breathing in a higher percentage of oxygen (through your nose) and exhaling a higher percentage of carbon dioxide (out through your mouth). You should feel as though it takes less time to breathe in and out with this method. All that added oxygen can help energize you while minimizing fatigue.

Learning how to manage your emotions will help you improve your communication skills. When you’re angry, don’t yell or let loose with a string of obscenities. Instead, count down from 10 while breathing deeply and exhaling forcefully. Once you can bring yourself back under control, return to what you were doing before and ask questions until you understand what happened.

Of course, if there’s an emergency—such as a broken machine—then by all means address it immediately. Otherwise, wait until everything has calmed down so that both parties are in a better state of mind and can effectively communicate their thoughts and feelings in a way that leaves everyone feeling satisfied.
If something is bothering you or making you uncomfortable at work, then speak up about it!

When a coworker does something that bothers you, don’t immediately yell at them. Instead, count down from 10 and let them know how you feel. If it happens again, count down from 20 and try again. Once you reach zero, you’ll be in a better place to discuss whatever is bothering you with both tact and professionalism.

If you’re ever in a situation where you feel intimidated or nervous, focus on your breathing and push through it. In some cases, there might be a physical reason for your feelings—like if you’re in an overcrowded room that doesn’t have enough air circulation—so take action to remedy that before it becomes an issue. Then try counting down from 10 while taking deep breaths, both in and out. Once you feel relaxed, proceed with whatever work or social engagement is at hand. After all, nothing good can come from feeling stressed at work!

How to Improve Your Communication Skills

Practice Slow, Clear Speech

Speaking too quickly can be a problem in your professional and personal relationships. When you rush through what you’re saying, your listener doesn’t have time to process or internalize what you’re saying, which can make them feel confused or irritated.

Slow down your speech by deliberately taking pauses after important points, pausing before beginning a sentence, and pausing for effect when needed (this is especially effective in making sure people are paying attention). Take special care not to speak too slowly; pay attention to your natural cadence and make sure it comes across as calm rather than painfully slow.

How do you know if you’re speaking too quickly? If a conversation partner consistently responds with Huh? or What? or asks you to repeat yourself, it may be that your speech is too quick. Try practicing with a friend and have them listen as you practice speaking more slowly, making sure to take pauses after important points and pausing for effect when needed.

Record yourself and play it back so you can hear how it sounds; try slowing down your pace by about 10 percent at first (so if your usual cadence is 100 words per minute, aim for 90). Over time, try lowering your rate until it reaches 70-80 words per minute.

When you speak slowly and clearly, people are more likely to listen. When they listen, they’re able to internalize your message, which helps them relate to you on a deeper level—they’ll also be more likely to take your words seriously. One way of improving your communication skills is by practicing slow, clear speech; in turn, slowing down your speech can improve overall communication with friends and coworkers.

Slow down how quickly you speak by taking pauses after important points and pausing for effect when needed. Over time, focus on lowering your rate until it reaches 70-80 words per minute; speaking slower will help you communicate more effectively on a professional level as well as in personal relationships.

One of your verbal communication skills is pronunciation. In today’s business world, where workers are often on video calls or conference calls, you need clear and understandable speech in order to be taken seriously. If a listener can’t understand what you’re saying, they’ll probably discount what you have to say—even if it’s something very important. It may take some extra time and effort when practicing the slow, clear speech in order to improve your pronunciation and word choice, but doing so will improve how people perceive you overall.

Another verbal communication skill is emphasis. The emphasis, also known as inflection, is how you communicate something with more energy or force. It comes naturally for some people and is a part of their vocal expression; others need to practice in order to improve.

If you’re having a conversation with someone and they’re not picking up on your emphasis or coming across as cold, it may be that you need to try practicing emphasizing words differently. Slow down your speech when practicing so you have time to work on inflection; once you get better at it, move your normal pace so that emphasis becomes second nature.

How to Improve Your Communication Skills

Ask Questions And Listen To The Answers

One way you can improve your communication skills is by learning how to ask good questions and then listen. One study at San Diego State University found that people who were great at asking questions not only got better answers but felt more effective in problem-solving situations. A lot of things can go wrong when communicating with others, so make sure you are doing everything you can.

To start working on improving your communication skills, take a look at what makes effective communicators different from those who aren’t very good at it. Once you know what they do, try implementing their tips into your own life. One thing is for sure – being able to communicate with others effectively will help boost your confidence and sense of self-worth!

While you’re figuring out what works for you, consider focusing on a few keywords. This makes conversations easier because it allows you to quickly judge what someone is saying and how you might respond. It also helps you keep track of things when your memory starts fading in and out. If someone doesn’t answer a question, ask them to rephrase it so that both parties understand exactly what they are saying.

By doing so, they will become more comfortable speaking with you and be better able to get their message across. When asking questions, avoid offering suggestions or talking about personal experiences unless asked because most people don’t care about your life and have no desire to hear about it!
Many of us have bad habits that not only annoy others but also hurt our careers or professional success as well.

And don’t forget that listening is just as important. Asking questions also gives you a chance to learn more about others. The more you know about them, the better you can tailor your responses and appear like an attentive listener – which in turn will make others more likely to seek out your advice in future conversations.

It might seem simple, but improving your communication skills doesn’t necessarily require years of therapy or tons of training! Just be sure that you are truly present when speaking with someone else and try not to let distractions get in your way. Remember, if you want others to listen attentively then first show them that you are willing and able to do so yourself!

While there are so many ways you can improve your communication skills, asking good questions and listening are great places to start. Once you understand how others speak and present their ideas, feel free to develop your own methods for conveying your message as well. Everyone is different, but when it comes down to it, it all depends on who you’re speaking with!

If you’re trying to get along with someone who might be hard of hearing or non-English speaking, ask them whether they’d prefer voice messages or written correspondence instead of immediately jumping into things without confirming what would work best for them. In fact, one study by organizational psychologists found that people who spoke slowly and used physical touch were much more successful at influencing others than those who didn’t!

If you want others to listen attentively then first show them that you are willing and able to do so yourself! This will help ensure that your messages are easily received and understood by those around you. To get started, just work on trying out a few new words or phrases and see how they sound. You never know – you might even find that it helps improve your communication skills by leaps and bounds!

How to Improve Your Communication Skills

Use Body Language Appropriately

When you’re trying to convey an idea, it can be easy to get lost in your thoughts and ignore how others are responding. Staying in touch with how your audience is reacting will help you adjust and provide them with more information or examples, if necessary. Be attentive when someone asks a question, as they may be trying to tell you something about how well you’re communicating your ideas.

If they are having trouble following along, pause or ask if they have any questions that would make it easier for them to understand what you’re saying. Don’t be afraid of questions—they can clarify what others don’t understand and ensure that everyone stays on the same page.

Be mindful of your body language, too. Proper posture shows that you’re interested in what others are saying and open to ideas, while slumped shoulders and a rigid posture can make you seem closed off or disinterested. Avoid fidgeting during conversations with others—playing with your hands or feet, for example—as it can give others a reason to doubt your interest in what they have to say.

Pay attention to whether other people are using their hands when speaking with you, and mirror their movements. If someone is gesturing toward an idea on a whiteboard, for example, use your own hands as well as your words if necessary to reinforce how relevant an idea is.

It can also be helpful to take a moment before speaking with others to collect your thoughts. This can help you articulate your ideas, convey that you’re thoughtful and confident, and avoid saying something you don’t mean or aren’t sure about. A few deep breaths or counting backward from five can do wonders for clearing your mind of distractions and helping you think through what is most important in any situation.

Of course, there are times when everyone experiences confusion—if something gets lost in translation or there is a communication error, acknowledge it and ask if anyone needs clarification before continuing on with another idea.

When interacting with others in person, make sure you’re prepared for whatever comes your way. While other people may have a good sense of how long your meetings and conversations are, it’s still good to keep time in mind. Maintain an awareness of where you are in terms of time, as well as be sensitive to whether or not you need additional time for questions or comments.

Watch out for distractions during meetings—make sure there is nothing distracting about where you are or what surrounds you when working with others one-on-one. It can be helpful to work off a formal agenda if possible, but don’t forget that some topics will be more important than others at different times, depending on where everyone is on their projects and goals.

For presentations and speeches, being confident is key. Although you may be nervous about talking in front of a group, believing in yourself and your message can go a long way. Acknowledge your nerves if needed and then focus on what you have to say—not how well you’re presenting it.

Eye contact with your audience members helps them feel engaged and interested, so it can be helpful to think about where everyone is sitting as you speak rather than trying to look at each individual person all at once. Body language affects voice tone and confidence as well—don’t be afraid of gestures when speaking, as they make presentations more interesting for your audience members.

How to Improve Your Communication Skills

Use Open And Neutral Body Language

Avoid crossing your arms or putting your hands in your pockets. Avoid making yourself smaller by hunching over. The person you’re talking to will feel uncomfortable as they sense that you are not comfortable. Instead, use open and neutral body language like walking toward people, uncrossing your arms, and leaning forward when speaking. Since most of us can’t see inside someone else’s mind, we are reading their body language for any signs of hostility, defensiveness, or boredom.

We pick up on these cues without even knowing it, then we react in kind. By using open and neutral body language during a conversation you will make other people feel more at ease, which makes them more likely to react positively to what you have to say!

Learn When to Talk and When to Listen: We are all trained in conversational skills. However, we don’t really know when it is best to speak and when it is best not to. For example, if your partner has just finished telling you about a stressful day at work, you might jump in with something like, That’s awful! You must have felt so angry!

Instead, wait for your partner to finish their story before jumping in with how you think they felt or what should be done about it. This can help both of you get through an argument more easily because each person will feel heard rather than silenced by an impulsive response.

Use I Statements: When trying to convince someone of your point of view, it’s best not to attack them. Instead, use I statement like: I think that…; or I feel that… It helps you avoid placing blame and keeps people from getting defensive. Even if you believe strongly in what you are saying, try changing it into an I statement for practice and be amazed at how much more calmly your conversation partner will listen! If your partner feels attacked, they are likely to respond by attacking you back. I statements keep us from feeling on edge and allow us room for listening rather than feeling threatened.

Ask Open-Ended Questions: Asking open-ended questions helps you gather information. You can use open-ended questions to get others talking and then they will feel like they’ve had their say without feeling like you’re just waiting for your turn.

Use a phrase that invites more than a simple yes or no answer like; Can you tell me more about…; or How did that make you feel? If you ask someone an opinionated question, such as Are spiders scary? it is likely that they will respond with one word: yes, no, maybe.

How to Improve Your Communication Skills

Eliminate Distractions

If you have an idea that’s burning in your mind, don’t let anything get in its way of being communicated. When you’re ready to communicate what you’ve been thinking about, let go of distractions (like cell phones) so that there is no break in communication. It’s easy for people to lose focus when they become distracted by other things, like checking text messages or surfing online.

When communicating with someone else face-to-face, make sure there aren’t any external interruptions from yourself (or your surroundings). The only time a cell phone should be used during a meeting is if it’s an emergency and it cannot wait until after you’re done talking.

When you’re communicating face-to-face, look directly at whomever you’re talking with. Don’t shift your gaze around a room or seem preoccupied with something else. The best communicators make eye contact when they’re listening, not only when they’re speaking.

If a speaker seems as if he is going off on a tangent, give him some feedback: It seems like there are two things you want to say here—one about pollution and one about cutting down on unnecessary travel—which one should we talk about first? Good verbal communication is rarely just talking; it’s also listening! Be sure that you actively listen for key information and only share your thoughts or ideas when necessary.

Clear your throat if you’re in a situation where you need to get someone’s attention, like in a meeting or presentation. Just make sure it doesn’t sound as if you are dying or needing medical help! Verbal communication is as much about what you say as to how you say it.

Take your time when speaking and choose your words carefully. Avoid using fillers like um, like, you know, and words that draw out sounds (like basically). Practice speaking clearly and at a steady pace so that others can listen without becoming distracted by any unneeded filler words.

Make sure that when you are communicating with someone, you’re looking directly at them and not something else (like their shoes or shirt). If you’re distracted by something in their appearance, you’ll find it harder to listen and pay attention.

Don’t break eye contact unless they do first. When giving a presentation or talking to a large group of people, it may be easier if one person speaks at a time instead of everyone speaking all at once. If no one is speaking, don’t jump in right away: let others have their say so that they feel like they have your full attention!

Listen for key points or ideas when you’re communicating face-to-face and make sure you don’t interrupt someone while they are speaking. Try not to let your attention stray, but if it does, bring yourself back so that you can pay attention! Remember that listening is as important (if not more important) than speaking.

If no one is listening, then no one will want to talk—or communicate—with you! If someone shares an idea with you, remember it. If it’s in a work environment and you’re already working on something similar, make sure that person knows about it because he/she may be able to assist with getting something done sooner!

How to Improve Your Communication Skills