How can you improve your communication skills?
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How can you improve your communication skills?
Most of you might already know this but for those who dont, Communication is the key when it comes to dealing with everything in your life effectively. Now people come up with many techniques and hacks to make themselves better at communicating but the fact remains that it is a very natural process.
So you cannot always evaluate or predict the outcome from the other parties in the conversation. Today I will list a few ways that you can incorporate in your daily conversations and feel how they contribute towards making your conversations improved and clear.
6. Be Aware
Now I know this may sound odd at first but a lot of people are not aware of things like their expressions, body language, gestures, etc. while being engrossed in a conversation. This lack of awareness can really steer the conversation into an altogether different field only. So, my advice would be that always remember whom you are talking to first. That will help you set the tone of the communication. It can be either formal, informal, or semi-formal. Then try to incorporate some positive expressions and hand gestures in your routine as well. Give it a try and youll see what I meant very clearly.
5. Accept Your Failures and Be Humble
There are times in our life when we are too stubborn to apologize for a wrongdoing or remember to remain humble. Its not exactly the end of the world if you make a mistake while communicating with someone. But the most important thing is to apologize for it instantly. That will always portray you as a responsible person who is not ashamed to be held accountable for your actions. That being said, its also important to be humble when it comes to your achievements as well. Just casually slide it into a conversation and people will end being impressed for sure.
4. Avoid Useless Chitchat
Now, this is a two-fold process. As you know casual banter is always welcomed in communication but there is a fine line that you have to walk. First, you assess the tone you have to set with the person. If its some that you can talk to in an informal way, then you carry on. But if it is someone that you have to talk to on a formal level, then the second part comes in play. You can slide a few casual questions in the conversations but try avoiding talking about something completely out of context.
3. Loosen Up
I know it can be pretty daunting to hold a conversation sometimes. A lot of factors can weigh in when you are communicating with someone. There is one thing though that can make you stand out in a crowd but not in an appropriate manner. Being rigid is something that will always be visible to the other party and you will stick out like a sore thumb. My advice? Try not to dwell too much on the conversation and try to go with the flow. Even if it is a formal setting, just remember to be yourself. The more freely youll portray yourself, the more people will be able to see the real you.
2. Communication in a Continous Process
I want all of you to remember that Communication is something that happens on a daily level. So, that means you cannot become a pro overnight by memorizing all the rules, tips, or tricks you read. As I mentioned above, it is a very natural process so dont start worrying if you dont get the hang of it. Just keep practicing all the things I have listed in the article and make your own notes along the way as well. After all, self-evaluation is a good way of improving yourself in the future.
1. Listening is Just as Important
Now most of us sometimes forget that communication is a two-way street. That means you cannot just carry on about yourself and focus on your conversational needs only. Listening is just as an important part of communication as talking is. What makes you a good listener though? Well, patience and acceptance is always the way to go. Be patient and wait for the person to finish with their part before you can carry on with your own as well. Always try to keep positive or neutral expressions on your face while listening to others. That will always make the other parties comfortable while holding communications with you.
So, that was the list guys. I know its hard to remember all these things while holding a conversation simultaneously. This is why I suggest to take it one step at a time. Start with the thing that seems like the easiest and then work your way up. Little by little mold yourself in the best version of yourself. Remember people will always see yourself as what you portray yourself as. So, dazzle them with your Communication one day at a time and you will see the efforts paying off before your very own eyes.