Communication skills are the abilities you use when giving and receiving different kinds of information.The ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and staff is essential, no matter what industry you work in. Workers in the digital age must know how to effectively convey and receive messages in person as well as via phone, email, and social media.
How To Develop Your Communication Skills
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- Being a good listener The most important communication skill for leaders is the ability to listen. Professional listening skills include listening for the message, listening for any emotions behind the message and considering relevant questions about the message.
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- Be Confident It is important to be confident in your interactions with others. Confidence shows your co-workers that you believe in what you’re saying and will follow through.
- Be a good Observer If someone has poor communication skills and is unable to communicate effectively, the first and foremost thing that he should is to observe people having good communication skills. The person must be able to understand what other person is saying, and this will give him an idea about how to communicate well in the future.
- Take Your Time When in a conversation with someone, you must act calmly and think before you react to what the other person is saying. This is so because at times we speak without thinking and then repent it later on. Therefore, to avoid any such circumstances, it is necessary that you take your time, listen attentively and only afterwards speak your point of view.
- Being Positive It is always said that be positive and optimistic. In communication also, one needs to stay positive. Like when someone is about to deliver a speech he must jot down the positive points of the topic which will give the listeners a positive outlook about the issue. In addition, the communication will itself turn out to be effective.
- Be Polite By Nature It is not always that you will be fine with what the other person is saying. But it is necessary that you remain polite and listen to what the person is communicating, and then let him make understand that what he is saying may not be correct, in such a way that the person does not feel that he is underestimated.
- Body Language Body language is one another necessity that a person needs to have when in a communication with another person. For an example, making the desired amount of eye contact so that the speaker is assured that you are listening to him, standing and sitting in an erect manner, which shows the professionalism while you are in the communication.
- Picking the Right Medium
An important communication skill is to simply know what form of communication to use. For example, some serious conversations (layoffs, resignation, changes in salary, etc.) are almost always best done in person.You should also think about the person with whom you wish to speak, if they are a very busy person (such as your boss, perhaps), you might want to convey your message through Email. People will appreciate your thoughtful means of communication and will be more likely to respond positively to you.
- Take Feedback Being able to give and receive feedback appropriately is an important communication skill. Managers and supervisors should continuously look for ways to provide employees with constructive feedback, be it through email, phone calls, or weekly status updates.Similarly, you should be able to accept and even encourage feedback from others. Listen to the feedback you are given, ask clarifying questions if you are unsure of the issue, and make efforts to implement the feedback.