How to be good at communications?

 

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Know what you are saying and why: understand clearly the purpose and intent of your message. Know to whom you are communicating and why. Consider any barriers you may encounter such as cultural differences or situational circumstances (gender, age or economic biases). Ask yourself what outcome you want to achieve and the impression you want to leave.

2.      How will you say it: we are all aware by now, that it’s not always what you say, but how you say that counts. Begin by making eye contact. You inspire trust and confidence when you look the person in the eyes when you speak. Second, be aware of your body language since it can say as much, or more, than your words. By standing with arms easily at your side you tell others that you are approachable and open to hearing what they have to say. If instead, your arms are crossed and shoulders hunched, it suggests disinterest or unwillingness to communicate. Good posture and an approachable stance help make even difficult communication flow more smoothly. Make sure you speak in a cooperative, non-adversarial tone. Be nonjudgmental.

3. Listen. Communication is a two way street. After you've said what you have to say, stop, listen, and look for feedback and clues of comprehension. While the person is responding avoid any impulses to cut them off or listen only for the end of the sentence so that you can blurt out more ideas or thoughts that come to your mind. Respectfully give them your full attention. When they are finished, to ensure that your message has been clearly and correctly understood, ask open questions and encourage discussion. Fine-tune your message if necessary.

4. Reach understanding, agreement or consensus. Once you have had the opportunity to discuss your message and the feedback to it, re-visit the purpose of the interchange. Have you reached common ground, solved a problem, or clarified your position? If the purpose was to teach or instruct, have you accomplished your goal? To communicate well is to understand and be understood. Make sure that your message has been received as intended and that any questions or concerns have been alleviated. You can even agree to disagree. There are no guarantees that your communication efforts will be meet with total compliance and agreement. As long as you understand each other, are cordial and respectful, you can still have a successful exchange.

More Tips for Developing Good Communication Skills

• To obtain a better command of the English language (or any other language), expand your vocabulary by reading and writing more. Look up words you're not familiar with. The better you are able to express yourself, the better your ability to communicate.

• Practice your listening skills. Be considerate of other speakers by waiting until they are done before stating your views. Process what has being said before responding.

• Learn to understand and appreciate opposing points of view by being open-minded and making an effort to see things from another's perspectives. It will in turn, gain you more cooperation and understanding.

• Avoid trying to communicate when in an emotional state. You lose objectivity and may say something inappropriate or regrettable. Take time to think your position through before speaking.

• Join an organization such as Toastmasters that encourages you to develop a variety of communication skills as well as allowing you the opportunity to meet new and interesting people.

• When you take the time to acquire and hone good communication skills you open yourself up to better relationships, more career opportunities, and increased self-confidence. Moreover, you reach higher levels of mutual understanding and cooperation while successfully attaining your goals. 

All new skills take time to refine, however, with effort and practice you can develop good, even exceptional, communication skills.

Communication Quotes:

Effective communications starts with listening.

Robert Gately

Communication - the human connection--is the key to personal and career success.

Paul J. Meyer

The two words 'information' and 'communication' are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.

Sydney J. Harris

Communication works for those who work at it.

John Powell

The great thing is to know when to speak and when to keep quiet.

Seneca

The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said.

Peter Drucker

Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.

Plato

Do not say a little in many words but a great deal in a few.

Pythagoras

The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.

Ralph Nichols

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

Epictetus

Have something to say, say it, stop talking.

George Horace Lorimer

Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people. 

                                                                                                      William Butler Yeats