Good communication thrives on two most important things — active listening and effective speaking. If you have both, then laud yourself for you are one of the few exceptions who has the cake and can eat it too. However, for few communication always is a one-sided process — all natter and no listening, or no talks and all ears. To tell you the truth, successful communication entails proper delivery of a message and a careful decoding of the same. At the same time, it is important to talk sense and talk keeping the situation and occasion in mind. You can’t really walk up to your CEO and indulge in a casual, informal tête-à-tête with your boss, nor can you be too formal with your friends. Communication depends on the way you talk, the sense that it makes and the way you infer the receiver’s message. People judge you from the way you speak. A person who is talkative and doesn’t make sense will not be valued. At the same time, a man of few words who talks sense will get major importance. Read on to know more on how to develop communication skills.
How To Develop Communication Skills
Good Listener
Be a good listener. A good communication largely depends on how well you hear things and how you respond to it. Being a good listener gives you an edge over your conversation. You tend to think better when you listen. Listening is a more intent exercise than hearing. Paying heed to what other person is saying helps you to be a good listener and tend to make people look up to you to share their opinions and views.
Not Just Words
Communication is not only about spoken words. It also includes expressions, symbols and body language. Your facial expressions show how happy, disturbed or tensed you are. Be expressive in your talks. Learn to be reactive and spontaneous. Gestures and body language shows how keen listener you are. Your patience, interest and your way of response is tested here. Mere spoken words with absolute no expressions make the communication dull and tiresome.
Sense Of Humor
Serious talks, comments and advices are not going to get you any far. It takes a bit of humor to jazz up good conversation. Oral communication can be made interesting by pepping it up with humor. However, beware of overdoing it. The trick is to keep it simple yet funny. Make the conversation two-way. Flow of thoughts and mirth should be both ways. Give your listeners the freedom to respond and laugh.
Confidence
Be confident when you talk. If you are not confident about what you say, then the other person would refuse to take you seriously. Look straight into the eyes of the person when you talk. Do not keep your head bent. Have a straight body posture. That will help to enhance your personality.
Smile
Always wear a smile. Smile not only serves as an icebreaker, but also makes you come across as more approachable and warm. You can win hearts by your smile. A smile just adds on to your confidence.
Do Not Hesitate
Ask when you do not understand things clearly. There is absolutely nothing wrong in asking people for clarification. Do not hesitate to talk and ask when needed. It is one of the best ways to increase your knowledge about things that you do not know.
Be Positive
Respond to criticisms positively. Take criticisms lightly and in the right spirit. You are not perfect, so learn to admit your mistakes. Do not misunderstand what is being told. Don’t infer meanings before the statement is completed. Take things slowly.
Think Before You Talk
Always think before you talk. Once a word is spoken, it cannot be taken back. Hence, a thoughtless speech can spoil your relationship. Avoid talking with sarcasm. Avoid personal questions if the other person doesn’t seem comfortable to share it with you. Talk sense and have meaningful conversations. Do not abuse or use slang. Communicate in a well-mannered way.
Communication totally depends on the place and people you are dealing with. With friends or family, you can’t talk formally. You don’t have to measure your words with them. But when it comes to boss or a higher official, you can’t be informal. At the end of the day, what matters is, to be skillful enough to communicate confidently.
