Everyone needs good communication skills

I remember my neighbour who knew how to speak and guide everyone who came to the colony. She had excellent communication skills though she was just an ordinary housewife and not a highly qualified professional. This made me explore what the secret of her success was. It was nothing but good communication. She did this naturally as she was essentially interested in people and their stories. This could be seen in her approach and resulted in good communication. 

Nowadays with people just wishing to make an impact on others without taking the time to communicate well, it is going awry. We all need to understand to focus on the other person and not ourselves for good communication. This itself shall make the communication process much better, engaging and yes, successful. This itself is the story of success of many individuals, societies and even nations. We do need to focus more on this essential skill in a globalised world more than ever before.

Essentially, good communication skills are essential for both personal and professional success. Here are some strategies that can help you improve:

1. Active Listening

• Focus fully on the speaker without distractions.

• Avoid interrupting and reflect back on what the speaker said to ensure understanding.

2. Clear and Concise Expression

• Avoid jargon unless necessary, and adapt your language to your audience.

• Organize your thoughts before speaking or writing.

3. Body Language and Non-Verbal Communication

• Convey confidence and attentiveness through your posture

• Ensure your non-verbal signals are consistent with your words.

4. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

• Aim to understand others completely and totally  others to build rapport.

• Practice empathy by acknowledging others' feelings and viewpoints.

• Control your own emotions to respond thoughtfully, not reactively.

5. Ask Questions

• Clarify points when necessary and show genuine interest by asking questions.

• This promotes deeper understanding and keeps the conversation engaging.

6. Feedback

• Be open to constructive feedback to improve your communication style.

• Give feedback in a positive, respectful, and actionable way.

7. Tailor Your Message to the Audience

• Adapt your tone, content, and delivery style depending on the situation.

8. Practice Public Speaking

• Engage in activities that involve speaking in front of others, such as joining a group like Toastmasters or practicing with friends.

• Practice helps reduce anxiety and improves clarity and confidence in speech.

9. Improve Your Writing Skills

• Learn to organize your thoughts in written form, using proper grammar, punctuation, and formatting.

10. Patience and Timing

• Learn the value of timing and patience. Don’t keep speaking without allowing others space.

• Give people time to respond and avoid overwhelming them with too much information at once.

11. Learn Conflict Resolution

• Develop strategies to resolve conflicts through calm, respectful dialogue.

• Focus on understanding the other person’s point of view rather than just defending your own.

12. Self-Reflection

• Reflect on past conversations and identify areas where communication could be improved.

• Practice self-awareness and continuously seek to improve.

Good communication is built over time through practice, self-awareness, and a willingness to grow.

By Jamuna Rangachari