How to Develop Good Communication Skills

Part 1 of 3:

Understanding the Basics of Communication Skills

Know what communication really is. Communication is the process of transferring signals/messages between a sender and a receiver through various methods (written words, nonverbal cues, spoken words). It is also the mechanism we use to establish and modify relationships.
Have courage to say what you think. Be confident in knowing that you can make worthwhile contributions to conversation. Take time each day to be aware of your opinions and feelings so you can adequately convey them to others. Individuals who are hesitant to speak because they do not feel their input would be worthwhile need not fear. What is important or worthwhile to one person may not be to another and may be more so to someone else.
Practice. Developing advanced communication skills begins with simple interactions. Communication skills can be practiced every day in settings that range from the social to the professional. New skills take time to refine, but each time you use your communication skills, you open yourself to opportunities and future partnerships.

Part 2 of 3:

Engaging Your Audience

Make eye contact. Whether you are speaking or listening, looking into the eyes of the person with whom you are conversing can make the interaction more successful. Eye contact conveys interest and encourages your partner to be interested in you in return.^{[1] X Research source}
1. One technique to help with this is to consciously look into one of the listener's eyes and then move to the other eye. Going back and forth between the two makes your eyes appear to sparkle. Another trick is to imagine a letter 'T' on the listener's face ,with the crossbar being an imaginary line across the eye brows and the vertical line coming down the center of the nose. Keep your eyes scanning that 'T' zone.
Use gestures. These include gestures with your hands and face. Make your whole body talk. Use smaller gestures for individuals and small groups. The gestures should get larger as the group that one is addressing increases in size.^{[2] X Research source}
Don't send mixed messages. Make your words, gestures, facial expressions and tone match. Disciplining someone while smiling sends a mixed message and is therefore ineffective. If you have to deliver a negative message, make your words, facial expressions, and tone match the message.^{[3] X Research source}
Be aware of what your body is saying. Body language can say so much more than a mouthful of words. An open stance with arms relaxed at your sides tells anyone around you that you are approachable and open to hearing what they have to say.^{[4] X Research source}
1. Arms crossed and shoulders hunched, on the other hand, suggest disinterest in conversation or unwillingness to communicate. Often, communication can be stopped before it starts by body language that tells people you don't want to talk.
2. Appropriate posture and an approachable stance can make even difficult conversations flow more smoothly.
Manifest constructive attitudes and beliefs. The attitudes you bring to communication will have a huge impact on the way you compose yourself and interact with others. Choose to be honest, patient, optimistic, sincere, respectful, and accepting of others. Be sensitive to other people's feelings, and believe in others' competence.
Develop effective listening skills: Not only should one be able to speak effectively, one must listen to the other person's words and engage in communication on what the other person is speaking about. Avoid the impulse to listen only for the end of their sentence so that you can blurt out the ideas or memories your mind while the other person is speaking.^{[5] X Research source}

Part 3 of 3:

Using Your Words

Enunciate your words. Speak clearly and don't mumble. If people are always asking you to repeat yourself, try to do a better job of articulating yourself in a better manner.
Pronounce your words correctly. People will judge your competency through your vocabulary. If you aren't sure of how to say a word, don't use it. Improve your vocabulary by reading new words in daily routine. Look in the dictionary to help you learn how to pronounce a new word.
Use the right words. If you're not sure of the meaning of a word, don't use it. Grab a dictionary and start a daily habit of learning one new word per day. Use it sometime in your conversations during the day.
Slow your speech down. People will perceive you as nervous and unsure of yourself if you talk fast. However, be careful not to slow down to the point where people begin to finish your sentences just to help you finish.^{[6] X Research source}
Develop your voice. A high or whiny voice is not perceived to be one of authority. In fact, a high and soft voice can make you sound like prey to an aggressive co-worker or make others not take you seriously. Begin doing exercises to lower the pitch of your voice. Try singing, but do it an octave lower on all your favorite songs. Practice this and, after a period of time, your voice will begin to lower.
Animate your voice. Avoid a monotone and use dynamics. Your pitch should raise and lower periodically. Radio DJ's are usually a good example of this.^{[7] X Research source}
Use appropriate volume. Use a volume that is appropriate for the setting. Speak more softly when you are alone and close. Speak louder when you are speaking to larger groups or across larger spaces.^{[8] X Research source}

Help Communicating Effectively

How to Develop Good Communication Skills Picture 17

Communicating Effectively with a Loved One

How to Develop Good Communication Skills Picture 18

Communicating Effectively at Work

How to Develop Good Communication Skills Picture 19

Communication Pitfalls to Avoid

Jessica Tanner

Update 24 March 2020

You should read it

May be interested

Don't tell your boss these things if you don't want to 'out' soon
conflicts between managers and employees are not new and always appear in any public office. if you want to quit early, then never say anything to say this to your boss.
25 tips to help you get long-term relationships
relationships, whether it is family, love, friendship ... if not concerned, nurture every day, according to time and geographical distance, can become distant, even loses each other forever ...
7 indispensable gesture languages for a professional manager
one of the secrets that helps you become an excellent manager is the ability to use body language when communicating and conveying messages to your employees.
3 ways to help you calm down in stressful conversations
the key to keeping you calm during meetings, discussions, conversations or any communication situation shows signs of stress.
37 certain simple etiquette you must know
here are 37 common etiquette, things that should and shouldn't be for us to learn. invite you to consult!
9 types of employees and effective management
staff is the key force, playing an important role in helping the company grow. every good leader wants his or her employees to develop their own abilities and contribute to the work to achieve the best performance. to do that, communication between managers and employees is essential.
12 phrases absolutely should not be said at the company
please refer to the examples mentioned below - words that should be avoided so as not to hurt colleagues and also help you become closer, more professional.
Try these 13 psychological tricks to easily communicate with people
take a look at the 13 psychological tips below - extremely useful tips for making you a more engaging and interesting communicator in the eyes of others. invite you to consult!
7 presentations to the crowd of top speakers on TED Talks
do you want to be a person who always makes the audience excited when giving a presentation to the crowd like famous speaker tony robbins or billionaire bill gates?
9 tips to help you become smarter when talking
simple tips to help you conquer the art of communication and become a talented orator.