How To Improve Your Communication Skills: Must Read Tips For Anyone

In this new article you’ll find out how to improve your communication skills. 

Humans are born communicators.

Even infants find ways to express their needs and desires to their caregivers. They may use cooing to show that they’re satisfied, crying to show that they’re unhappy, and suckling to show that they’re hungry.

As we age, we start utilizing body language and words to communicate with ourselves, other people, different cultures, and in our careers.

It is imperative to have good communication skills, particularly nowadays. In fact, it may be the most vital skill we possess.

Communication skills are used to transfer information from one person to another and if these skills are missing, our quality of life may be severely diminished. Our personal relationships and career relationships would die without some level of communication.

Good communication skills are necessary for survival. But GREAT and EFFECTIVE communication skills can offer you the edge in life and open up numerous opportunities.

The idea of effective communication is to be capable to convey your idea to the person you try to communicate with as efficiently as possible.

This is particularly important in tense situations where you might be arguing or trying to explain something important. Your words need to be clear, easy to understand, and interpreted by whom you are communicating with.

How To Improve Your Communication Skills:

Communication skills are important in every aspect of life: work, school, family, and social gatherings.

You need to be capable to effectively communicate with people one on one and in groups, both verbally and non-verbally (writing and body language), and without these skills you won’t be capable to function very well.

If you can master great communication skills, you’ll find yourself being more successful in every aspect of life. If you can communicate well, others will see you as an awesome leader. You will get that job promotion or raise.

People will start looking to you as a respectful, powerful source of information and advice.

If you can master the art of communication, you’ll have several new and incredible opportunities come knocking on your door.

Here I will teach you how to communicate powerfully in a wide range of settings. You will also find out how to leave an enduring, great impression and conquer the art of getting your point across. 

1. One-on-One Communication

Interpersonal communication is ‘face to face’ communication between people.

It’s done when you order that cup of coffee at your favourite coffee shop or talk to your Doctor a few problem you might be having.

Interpersonal communication is finished over dinner with your spouse and youngsters or when you talk with your boss about that important project on the horizon.

When someone engages us in conversation, we are taking in quite a lot of information about all of them directly, whether we know it or not.

We combine their body language, appearance, and words, to interpret what they’re saying.

Many people worry so much about what to say that they really miss an enormous part of communicating. Communication starts before the words even leave your mouth.

Personal Appearance

Our personal appearance goes a long way to communicate a message to someone in a face-to-face conversation.

Certain clothing might convey the message that we like specific fashion trends, have certain amounts of money, or want to show off certain parts of our bodies.

If we want to be taken seriously in a professional setting, we would want to ensure our personal appearance models that idea.

If we look dirty or smell bad, it will give the wrong message to someone who we try to communicate with, well before we say anything.

Think about it: would you want to go on a date with someone who looked greasy and unclean? Would you take the company’s board members seriously if they met with you in a bathrobe and curlers in their hair? Would you hire an accountant that came to the job interview in a bikini?

You get the point. It’s important to take care of your personal appearance. Wear clean appropriate clothing and maintain good personal hygiene.

Dress for the event in whichever way is most appropriate.

Always remember that your personal appearance is the very first thing people will notice about you and it’s critical to make an awesome first impression if you want to be a strong communicator.

I would suggest buying a hygiene bag to leave in your car or purse. Fill it with dental floss, deodorant, tweezers, nail clippers, small scissors, lint roller, hair brush, breath mints, etc.

Basically, fill it with anything that you might need to freshen up while on the go.

I can’t tell you how many times I have used my emergency dental floss after eating broccoli for lunch. The last thing you want to do is meet with your boss with green gunk stuck in your teeth. Gross!

Body Language

The way you are standing, sitting, or facing can tell a lot about the way you are feeling. Even your facial expressions can communicate certain thoughts to people who are interacting with you.

If your arms or legs are crossed, you may be portraying that you’re “closed off” and unreceptive to the person you are communicating with. Likewise, if you’re smiling and relaxed, you are displaying that you’re open to communication.

Usually, your nonverbal methods of communication reinforce whatever it’s you are saying or feeling. You can use this sort of communication to reinforce a relationship you have with another person.

You can even use these special cues to gain insight to someone else’s feelings or state of well-being.

If someone appears “closed off,” you may want to wait until they’re more relaxed before communicating your thoughts to them.

It’s important to use your body language to help convey the right message, even if you aren’t feeling the emotion you try to convey.

For example, if you’re in a conversation with someone, try sitting firmly in your chair and lean forward barely. This will make it appear, with your body language, that you’re listening (even if you’re really uninterested in what they’re saying).

Try nodding when someone else is talking to you to let them know that you’re not only listening but that you understand what they’re saying.

A good firm (but not painful!) handshake is an awesome way to portray that you’re confident and excited to meet them.

Also, smiling and searching attentive will make people more interested in talking to you because they will feel you are being receptive to them.

Make eye contact and try to avoid those nervous habits you may have developed over the years, like tapping your foot or playing with your hair.

Make sure you give the person you are talking to a reasonable amount of personal space so you don’t crowd them.

Avoid looking at your watch or a clock in the room, as it gives the impression you ‘just want the conversation to be over with’.

Also, hold back that yawn until after your conversation. I have come to find that if you’re feeling nervous and fidgety, it’s because you are thinking about yourself way too much.

Simply remind yourself that you look great and try focusing on what the other person is saying instead. Really consider precisely what they try to communicate and how they’re feeling.

Be a sympathetic and proactive listener!

The Importance of Listening Skills

Because we spend 45% of our conversations listening to others, it’s important to make it count. Listening skills go hand-in-hand with communicating effectively.

How hard can it be? They talk, and you listen, right? Wrong.

There is a big difference between ‘listening’ and ‘hearing’. Hearing is just absorbing sounds that are made at you.

Listening involves interpreting those words in addition to the nonverbal cues that somebody is communicating to you.

Good Listening Skills

How can you be a good listener?

Start by removing distractions. Turn off the TV or set your cellphone right down to be sure that the person you are talking with knows that you’re paying attention to them.

There is nothing more frustrating than someone who is texting while you try to talk to them. If your conversation partner looks tense, try putting them comfortable before continuing the conversation.

Make sure that they know that you’re listening to them and them only. Nod from time to time so that they know that you’re understanding the words they’re speaking.

Try and empathize with the person you are communicating with.

You don’t must agree with everything they’re saying, but try and make a point to see where they’re coming from and ensure they know that you try to view the world through ‘their eyes’.

Show patience as well.

Give them time to get everything they want to say out. Sometimes, simply talking about something can help someone determine what it’s they’re feeling or trying to say.

Let them finish their own sentences and try not to interrupt.

Let them have time to pause and formulate precisely how they want to say whatever it’s they try to say.

Good listeners stop talking. When good listeners stop talking, they focus on what the other person is communicating to them.

They take in both the words they say, the tone in which they said it, and the body language of the person they’re communicating with.

Bad Listening Habits

We all have bad listening habits. They can be detrimental to effective listening techniques. “Becoming distracted” is the number one ‘bad listening’ habit that almost all people have.

Whether it be distracted by the person who’s talking (perhaps you find them very attractive or very unattractive), focusing on another conversation or something else nearby, otherwise you simply can’t focus because you have a lot on your own mind.

These can all be major factors in making it difficult to listen to what another person is saying.

You might simply be uninterested in the subject, or be overly tired or hungry. All of these can make it difficult to focus on the words the other communicator is trying to portray.

You might even be frustrated with the subject. Perhaps you have a closed mind about this particular subject otherwise you are being judgmental.

Try to keep an open mind and empathize with whom you are conversing with. Try not to change the subject, daydream, or fiddle with your nails or earrings.

All of these habits can make it very difficult to listen effectively, and in turn, communicate clearly.

Criticism

Once you say something, you can’t ‘un-say’ it. This is why it’s extremely important to never say anything out of anger or frustration. Criticism is one of those things that everybody has to deal with.

Whether you are giving criticism or taking it, it is vital to choose your words carefully.

There are two types of criticism; constructive criticism and deconstructive criticism.

The first is designed to critique but offer helpful suggestions on how to fix a possible issue. Deconstructive criticism is usually thoughtless and can even be malice in nature and designed to make someone feel bad about themselves. Both can be hard to accept.

While constructive criticism is simpler to accept, it won’t cause anger and aggression like deconstructive criticism can.

When communicating, at all times try to make your criticism as constructive as possible. Instead of denying someone’s idea, look for methods that it can be improved and offer helpful suggestions.

A leader is someone who doesn’t put others down, but lifts them up. Be helpful, caring, and constructive in terms of criticism.

Context

Communication isn’t just about what’s being said with your mouth, or even your body or facial expressions. It is also about the context in which the communication is being held.

This includes where the communication is going on and what is going on around the communicators. Location, for example, plays an enormous part on the context of communication.

In order for both people to understand what is being conveyed, it’s important to have the conversation at the right time.

For example, choosing to discuss next week’s dinner plans while your wife is in the middle of labor might not prove to be the best timing.

Also, you wouldn’t tell your daughter a few funny movie you watched as you are walking her down the aisle at her wedding.

Timing is imperative to ensuring your message is getting across, and choosing the right time to have that communication is important.

Likewise, the location of a conversation can go a long way to hindering your communication.

If you’re taking someone out on a date, the front row at a heavy metal concert might not be the best place to have a conversation. Pick the places you want to have important conversations.

Make sure they’re freed from distractions and in a place where you both feel comfy opening up and talking freely. A coffee shop is generally a perfect place to have great conversation.

In college, I used to use the library group collaboration rooms to have great conversations with students I was working with.

Also, just a side note, if you’re breaking up with someone, don’t choose the person’s house or
a location that will make the breakup harder – Trust me, I know 😉

Also, if the person you are communicating with looks upset or closed-off, you may want to reschedule your conversation to when they’re feeling cheerful and receptive.

How To Communicate Effectively In Groups

Taking everything we have learned from one-on-one conversations is important when you’re socializing and communicating in groups.

We take part in groups every day: at work as employees, at church, in public places like the mall or the movie theatre, and even at school. People can be grouped for any number of reasons.

As a group, communication is likely to occur inside the group and outside the group between other groups that may be different than your own.

Inside these groups, you might notice that people embody certain roles that represent certain skills and responsibilities.

It’s common to have a leader in most groups, and this person normally directs the group and makes decisions based on the group’s objectives and needs.

They might be democratic, where they take the input of the group into account. They might be autocratic where they, themselves, have final say on the decisions being made.

Aside from the leader, other group roles normally form out of personalities that are inside the group.

Some examples are:

The Implementer: This is the person who likes to get things done. They take the information the group has talked about and helps put it into action.

The Shaper: This person tends to be more assertive and steers the group into making decisions. They aren’t afraid to make changes and they can sometimes cause friction to more ‘people orientated’ group members.

The Team Worker: This person helps wherever they’re needed. They normally help with projects or provide emotional encouragement to keep the group focused and in good spirits.

The Finisher: This person is generally detail oriented, has a hard time delegating tasks, and prefers to work on projects by themselves. They tend to be perfectionists. (This used to be me)

The Coordinator: This person is generally calm, charismatic, and is a positive force on any team. They are normally leaders on the team and have good listening and communication skills.

When groups work together, everybody must be capable to effectively communicate their messages to each other, for the great of the group. This is where ‘meetings’ come into place.

Meetings can be effective (1) if there’s good communication. Meetings are designed to make decisions, come up with plans and concepts, solve problems, encourage the group as a whole, and create a common purpose for everybody involved.

Meetings are important for groups to ensure everyone seems to be staying on the same page. However, without good communication, meetings can often fall apart and become chaotic.

When working in groups, presentations are quite common for communicating your ideas to a group of individuals. Giving a presentation on a subject can be a little nerve wracking if you have never done it before.

However, by following these easy steps, you are sure to give a good report and effectively communicate your idea to the people you are talking to.

Be calm and stay focused on what you try to say.

It can make anyone nervous to get up in front of others and talk, but by staying calm and focusing on what you try to communicate, you can make your point without coming across as weak, nervous, or uncertain of yourself.

Instead of thinking about how nervous you are, think of the experience as one that will expand your comfort zone. Think of it as something “different” than what you are used to.

Understand that doing various things is nice and is critical for development. Know that by giving that presentation, you’ll be acquiring more experience.

Be confident. It’s easier to listen and follow someone who appears to be they know what they’re talking about, even if they don’t. Stand up straight and tall when you’re presenting your information so your voice can be clearly heard.

Use hand gestures when talking and keep your hands out of your pockets. Try your best not to sway your body and even pace comfortably around the room. 

Make eye contact. People are more likely to be engaged if they feel like you are talking to them rather than ‘at’ them. Making eye contact establishes a relationship, which is more likely to keep your audience interested. Make it a goal of yours to look each one of your audience members in the eyes.

Prepare your information. Keep the presentation as short and concise as possible. No one wants to listen to someone go on and on about nonsense.

Make your presentation clear, easy to understand, and straight t o th e point. After y o u are finished presenting, be prepared to answer any questions people have in the same manner.

Practice. If you know you are doing a presentation for a group, practice it a few times in front of a mirror or in front of friends or family. This will make it easier when you present your information to the group if you’ve done it a couple of times before hand.

I also recommend timing your presentation to ensure it’s not too long or too short.

Change your tone. Try to sound interested in what you are saying, and add inflections to keep your voice from sounding monotone and boring. Move around and use facial expressions and hand gestures to keep things fun and entertaining!

Setting Goals & Mastering Communication Skills

We have gone over 3 types of communication, that when mastered, will offer you a HUGE advantage over your competition.

By mastering one-on-one communication and improving your listening skills, you’ll be capable to effectively build significant relationships (2) in the workplace and in your personal life. You will be capable to land large business deals or might even score a hot date.

Working in groups is occasionally necessary, no matter how tedious it might be.

By having the ability to identify different roles, you’ll have an advantage over your peers. You will have a birds-eye view of your group and will be capable to see how effective it’s.

By analyzing your group, you can make adjustments where necessary and become a leader who takes charge and moves the group in the right direction.

Lastly, with the popularity of social media, written communication skills might be the most vital skills to have.

Nowadays, peoples’ first impressions of a person are from their writing. It is important that you strive to master this form of communication effectively and efficiently.

When you combine these 3 forms o f communication together, you’ll be unstoppable and will be capable to communicate with anyone.

Like all skills, all it takes is practice, practice, practice.

Set small goals for yourself and go out into the world and achieve them. A goal that I set for myself years ago was to simply talk to a stranger every day. I couldn’t go to bed at night unless I talked to somebody new.

If I didn’t go out that day, then I could simply message somebody on Facebook or interact via social media. This helped me greatly with overcoming nerves and being comfy with meeting new people.

Try setting a goal like this and you’ll be surprised at how far it can take you and your communication skills.

Some good goals could be:

• Practice public speaking (Toastmasters is great practice – Google it!)
• Volunteer someplace that requires you to communicate with new people.
• If you are at school, make it a goal to answer at least one question out loud in class.
• Form your own club or get entangled in some extra-curricular activities.

Be creative and test your comfort zone. Being an effective communicator is simpler than it sounds, it just takes practice. The more you practice your skills, the more powerful they will be.

I hope this article about how to improve communication skills was able to help you to discover more ways to work on your communication skills, and how to use them to lead people.

The next step is to put it in to practice.

By following these guidelines, you are sure to have significant communication with the people around you and be more helpful and comfy in group settings.