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How To Improve Communication Skills?

Ineffective communication is not communication at all!

Have we ever answered the question, what is communication? Communication is the transmission of a message from one person to another, in a way that the other person receives the same way as perceived by the communicator.

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As we all know, communication majorly can be done in two ways:
1) Spoken communication:
-Visual
-Audio
2)Written communication

Following are a few pointers for a person to be called an effective communicator: 

Clarity Of Mind

Before saying something, it is very important to know exactly what you want to say with absolute clarity, communication coming out of a cluttered mind will be confusing and full of ambiguity, which will make it entirely futile.

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” – Mark Twain

Using Gestures While Speaking

While speaking in front of people, (visual spoken communication) one has added advantage that they can be seen and it is the entire package that is sending out the message, a good communicator will use this to their advantage, because it is not just the words so it is very important and beneficial to use hand gestures while talking. The animated effort also helps in engaging the listeners.

Talk Slowly And Clearly

By talking very fast, one might not be able to hold a grip on the minds of the listeners, which is a problem, as communication is all about holding the attention of a human mind which can be very easily distracted. Talking slowly and deliberately with appropriate pauses will ensure attention which is imperative for communication. 

Making Eye Contact

Engaging listeners during any kind of communication is very essential be it visual, verbal or any other presentation, however if the speaker comes across as under confident and has shifty eyes and does not make eye contact, then communication will seem put on and strained. One must hold the attention of the audience and listeners by making eye contact and seeming in command.

Body Language

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.”  Body language is very important for effective communication. Teaming up body language with good words will ensure good communication. Also body language communicates, plenty without any words being used, so one must ensure that the words are in-sync with the body language. 

Starting With Simplicity

It is imperative to hold attention and the best way to do it, is to start off well. If someone is not inspired from the beginning then it is quite difficult to hold their attention half way. Starting off simply is an easy way to do it for effective transmission of the message. 

Understanding Is Key!

The message to be communicated if not interpreted properly means failure. The main aim is for understanding to be accurate and as intended, that is the basic given and if that is not there then there is a problem. Everyone present should understand the message and content in the same way.  William Yeats has quoted – “Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.” 

Make It Interesting

If it is a presentation, then one can incorporate pictures, if it is a speech then adding an anecdote, if it is just audio then impressing with the voice and proper enunciation and pronunciation are some ways in which a communication can be made interesting. Everything is directed at motivating and coaxing attention of listeners and people. 

Talk In A Common Language

For any effective communication to take place, the language is one of the key drivers, a medium through which messages are carried out. Language is a platform on which all people who know it stand, if there is a problem with language then understanding becomes an issue. 

Interpretation By Everyone Should Be Common

Interpretations are very subjective and can depend on a lot of aspects and state of mind therefore it becomes all the more important that as a good communicator interpretation should be uniform. This is the basic and the most important aspect of a good communicator. 

By following the above one can be rest assured that they will come across as great communicators in all forms of communication.

Communication is a very important aspect of life, and it is also the very essence of all living beings and makes life for humans in particular, very interesting. However it is imperative to be able to communicate effectively or else it is not really communication if the transmission has not resulted in communicating the desired message. Communication has the power to make or break relationships therefore Benjamin Franklin has said –“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”