How to Improve Communication Skills

Interpersonal communication is an important aspect which is used in every aspect of our lives. Regardless of whether the communication is professional or personal language is a major determinant of relationships and job performance. Thankfully, there are important aspects of communication that can be learned through several tried and tested procedures.

 How you can improve your communication skills:

Practice Active Listening: In this particular communication model, as with any two people are exchanging information it is not all about speaking. In this approach the listener pays attention to the speaker, comprehends what is being said and gives proper response. To improve your listening skills.

• Maintain eye contact.
• Avoid interrupting.
• Paraphrase what the speaker says to ensure that understanding has been. 

This way you invest more in the relationships, and you improve the ability to understand one another gained of the topic or theme of the talk.

Expand Your Vocabulary: It allows the person to communicate his or her ideas well, especially if the individual possesses an excellent vocabulary. It is not necessary to use numerous and lengthy words but it is important to introduce more of them in your speech to be more accurate. Here is a recommended way of improving your vocabulary without finding yourself forever tied to a dictionary: read books, articles or blogs. Thus, when you meet with some new words make sure that you find their meaning and use it in your daily speech as often as possible.

Be Clear and Concise: Audiences like to read material that is easy to understand and singularity. Try not to talk in circles, or use filler phrases, such as ‘um’ or ‘you know.’ Think before you write a message and keep the messages brief. This makes it possible to keep your audience’s attention and have the point you are making understood by them within the shortest time possible.

Mind Your Non-Verbal Communication: Paralanguage, such as gestures, postures, mien, and vocal intonation, may be far more effective than content of the message. Body language actually plays an important role, for example how one conducts themselves during the course of a conversation determines the reception of the message. To improve your non-verbal communication.

• Maintain open body language: Do not cross your arms or look away as they make one appear bored, or simply on the defense.
• Make eye contact: This allows the speaker to come across confident, and when one is confident the listener is likely to be convinced thus building trust.
• Use facial expressions and gestures: For instance, a smile, or nodding the head can help in underlining some of the values made and show that the person is paying attention.

Seek Feedback and Reflect: Share with well-wishers, co-workers or spiritual leaders some of the times when you feel you may have gone wrong in your style of communicating. Constructive criticism often provides people with feedback on some of the things they should do in a better way. Another important thing to state is the fact that, after their discussion, one must try and think about the best communication experiences, and the areas of improvement as well.

Practice Regularly: Communication skills are by their nature dynamic and thus practicing on how to improve them is constant. Speak up often in conversations and discussions heading and presenting your ideas often whenever possible. I must admit that in this case practice makes perfect, the more you continually rehearse the more confident you will be.

In Summarize, Increasing the effectiveness of the verbal communication requires a comprehension of what active listening is, the use of more words within one’s language repertoire, eliminating the tendency to be overly wordy and repetitive, monitoring body language, inquiring for feedback, and increasing communication experiences. Applying these tips will enable you to develop improved communication skills and thus be a better communicator.For more information on Improve Your Communication Skills, reach out to Team Inspire, Kerala’s leading soft skill training center.

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