The question of how to improve communication skills is a common one. Humans are sociable creatures and the ability to communicate effectively is integral to every aspect of our lives, whether that be personal or professional.
Knowing the importance of strong communication skills is one thing, however, being able to develop and implement them is quite another. With that in mind, we’ve put together this guide on how to improve your communication skills, so that you too can access the kinds of career opportunities you’ve always wanted.
Why Do Communication Skills Matter?
It’s clear that communication skills matter – after all, why else would a LinkedIn survey from back in 2016 have found them to be the most sought-after soft skills from employers?
Because the ability to listen, take on the perspectives and opinions of team members, and work as part of a collective, will all help strengthen workplace relationships, lay the foundation for greater creativity, and enhance your ability to reach out and make new, rewarding connections.
Below, we’ve listed five of the easiest ways to go about enhancing your own communicative skills. It doesn’t matter whether it comes naturally to you or not, everyone can benefit from these tips.
1. Work on Your Listening
Undoubtedly, the best thing you can do to improve your communication skills doesn’t revolve around you doing the talking, it comes into play when you’re not – when you’re listening.
There’s a marked (and obvious) difference between when somebody is genuinely listening to you, and when they’re just waiting for their opportunity to speak.
Attempt to clear your mind and focus your attention fully on the speaker and what they’re saying. Be mindful about your own actions; do you find yourself itching to interrupt or butt in? Are your responses pertinent to what’s just been said, or are you trying to hijack the conversation back towards your narrative?
You’ll be amazed at just how often you turn inward during a conversation. Don’t feel too bad about it, we all do it to an extent, but it’s also something we can all easily work on.
This more engaged listening is a technique called active listening (rather than passive) as it involves us actively being part of the conversation, even when we’re not talking.
2. Take Stock of Your Own Body Language
Body language says a huge amount – arguably more than words can – so it’s important that you get yours right, especially when engaged in a one-on-one conversation with a colleague, employee or prospective client. Are you engaged or distracted? Welcoming or closed-off?
If you’re constantly looking around a room, for instance, tapping your foot with your arms folded, then it’s clear to the person to whom you’re talking that their conversation isn’t being received well, even if inside you are interested.
Instead, maintain good levels of eye contact, don’t check your phone, use nonverbal cues (nods and noises of agreement) as and when seem appropriate (without going overboard, of course) and only speak when you’re sure that the other person has concluded their point. Trust us, it makes a world of difference.
3. Don’t Jump In
We live in an age where everybody must have an opinion on everything all the time. The reality is, however, that you don’t, at least not immediately.
We’re all guilty sometimes of feeling the need to speak and reply instantly to what somebody’s just said, rather than taking the time to digest, process and formulate a well-thought-out response of our own.
What would be more appreciated and respected by the person you’re talking to is if you take that time, because it shows that you listen and care enough about what they’re saying that you’re not just coming out with generic, non-specific responses.
Remember that when it comes to conversation and communication skills, quality almost always trumps quantity.
4. Develop Your Online Communication Skills
Increasingly, our online communicative abilities need to be on a par with our in-person (or over-the-phone) skills; if you’re a naturally blunt, to-the-point person, then you’ve got to be careful this doesn’t come across as negative or even passive-aggressive.
Conversely, nobody likes somebody who waffles endlessly in their emails. Be positive, and friendly and say what you need to with a minimum of fuss. That way, everybody is happy.
5. Get Some Public Speaking Experience
Communication comes in many different forms, and whilst day-to-day it will most often revolve around conversations with either individuals or small groups of people, they’ll be times as a professional when you’re called upon to speak in front of larger groups, or even in public.
Perhaps you’ve been asked to chair a meeting for all the department, or perhaps even the whole company, or maybe you’ve been honoured for your hard work and must give a little acceptance speech. Whatever the context, there’s nothing worse than getting up there and completely drying up.
You can practice the old “imagine everybody in the audience is naked” – because believe it or not, this can really help – or simply go out and get experience where you can. If you can effectively communicate in front of large groups of people, you immediately come across as more confident, and will therefore be more likely to access the professional opportunities you’ve been seeking out.
It mightn’t be called upon often, but public speaking is one of those communication skills that’s always good to have in reserve, ready to be used when needed.
Final Thoughts
Effective communication skills won’t just improve your personal life, they’ll help unlock new professional avenues at the same time. If communication is something you feel passionate about, then it’s worth considering a short course in which communication is the central tenet.
Find out more about UTS Open’s communication courses here.
