Improving your communication skills has several benefits. It gives you the confidence to talk to many different types of people: managers, co-workers, technical and non-technical people, human resources, sales, and vendors. It allows you to find information more easily and effectively than before. It might also improve your outlook on your work life! Some tips on how to improve your communication skills are:
become a good listener
You’ve probably heard it many times before, but a big part of communication is listening. Improving your listening skills is a great tip on how to improve your communication skills. It can be tempting to interrupt speakers or jump in when you think you understand, but allowing a speaker to finish speaking and then respond allows you to absorb more of what he’s saying and shows you more respect.
Talk slow
Speaking slowly will give the impression that you are calm and confident in what you are saying. I have a tendency to speak quickly in some situations, usually because I’m busy or distracted. However, at other times I speak slower, and I notice that when other people speak slower it makes a good impression. It also allows you to think more about what you’re saying, which brings you to the next point.
use the correct words
Choosing the right words for the situation is good advice on how to improve communication skills. There are so many people (maybe you know a few) who use the same words over and over again in all sorts of situations, simply because that’s the word they think they mean, or because it’s the common word being used. Figuring out the right word to use while communicating with someone will help deliver your message more effectively.
maintain eye contact
Many people do not use eye contact when communicating. Looking people in the eye conveys confidence and also shows them that you are concentrating on them, whether you are listening or speaking. Of course, don’t stare at them all the time; look away occasionally if you must, but have at least a 50/50 split of eye contact and no eye contact (is that even a word? mean!).
make small improvements
It can be quite difficult to become a better communicator in a short period of time. When learning how to improve your communication skills, I would suggest identifying and improving one or two areas at a time. This will allow you to focus on one area in more detail and should show more improvement. Once you feel that you have improved one area of your communication, you can move on to a different area.
For example, you may decide to improve your listening skills. Practice listening to others and letting them get their message across. Once you feel you have improved on this, you can move on to another area where you feel you are weaker. Before you know it, you’ll be a more capable and effective communicator!
