Communication can be really difficult and most people have a problem with at least one type of communication. Improving communication skills is something we should all keep working on throughout our lives. There are many things that help from reading more to talking to more people and getting experience with a wider range of communication skills.
That said, there are also a lot of basic communication skills and that is where I’m focussing on for now. Here are a few tips to help you have better communication skills
Written Communication
When even autocorrect doesn’t have a clue: Use the Google voice to search for the correct spelling of a word you don’t know how to spell. Just use your phones voice search facility, or a microphone on your computer and say the word clearly, then Google should come back with the correct spelling in the search result.
Read things out loud to see how they sound. Most of the time bad grammar will be obvious when you say it. Even when it’s not 100% correct grammar, if it sounds good when read out loud, it will probably sound OK when your reader is reading it. Another benefit of reading it out loud is that it can help you notice when something is written in a
If you’re not 100% sure of a words meaning: Then don’t use it! You may think it makes you seem well educated to use complicated words, but if you’re using them incorrectly it just makes you look like a try hard. You’re much better off using simple words that communicate your ideas clearly.
Verbal Communication
Check your pronunciation: If you’re not sure how to say a word, double check it’s pronunciation before you use it. Dictionary.com is a great site that has the definition of words, and if you click the speaker icon next to the word it will say it for you.
Speak clearly! If people can’t understand what you’re saying they won’t keep trying to listen. So don’t mumble, that doesn’t mean you have to exaggerate all your words, just make an effort to speak clearly and pronounce each word distinctly.
Watch the volume: It’s important to speak loudly enough to be easily heard, but not so loudly that everybody in a 25 meter radius can hear you. Use a volume that’s appropriate for the location, the ambient noise and the type of conversation you’re having. TIP: If the person you’re speaking to keeps asking you to repeat yourself – you’re probably not speaking loud enough. If you’re trying to have a private conversation somewhere with a lot of background noise, consider moving the conversation somewhere a little more private.
Non-Verbal Communication
All in moderation: It’s important to be aware of the non-verbal signals you’re sending, but remember that it’s important not to go overboard. Giving someone a smile and making eye contact is great, but grinning wildly and continuous, non-breaking eye contact is just downright creepy. So while there are do’s and don’ts of non-verbal communication, moderation is the key.
Do’s: Do greet people with a smile, do make an effort to have a pleasant expression at all times, do offer an appropriate physical greeting (handshake, kiss on the cheek, hug) do make eye contact, do keep your body positioning open, do reflect others stance, do lean in towards the people you’re talking to.
Don’ts: Don’t spend too much time looking around the room when you’re talking to someone, don’t cross your arms, don’t lean away from people or use your body to ‘block’ them off, don’t fidget, don’t be overly familiar with someone you’ve just met and get in their personal space and don’t get so distracted by do’s and don’ts that you forget to pay attention to what others are saying to you.
If you’d like some more ideas, check out my previous posts on Communication.
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