- Identify Your Objectives. What do you hope to accomplish, either immediately or long term? …
- Listen Actively. Communication isn’t just about what you say. …
- Note Your Body Language. …
- Know Your Audience. …
- Pace Yourself. …
- Choose the Right Time. …
- Be Clear.
This theory was tested by researchers at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the results are shocking. In the study, subjects were paired with people they were familiar with and then with people they had never met. Even worse, participants frequently overestimated their ability to communicate, and this was more pronounced with people they knew well, according to the researchers, who found that people who knew each other well understood each other no better than people who had just met.
Effective communication requires an understanding that “What I know is different from what you know,” but that understanding can be difficult to come by, according to study leader Kenneth Savitsky. Although some people may in fact share similar interests, this may not always be the case. You become hurried and preoccupied, and you stop considering the other person’s viewpoint. “.
You simply cannot become a great leader until you are a great communicator; communication is the real work of leadership. Great communicators inspire people. They create a connection that is real, emotional, and personal. And excellent communicators establish this connection by having a thorough understanding of people and the capacity to speak to their needs in an empathic manner when they are prepared to hear it.
4 Tactics to Becoming a Genius Communicator | Robin Sharma
Why is it important to be a good communicator?
To make sure that your coworkers and other audiences understand the information you are presenting, it is crucial to be a good communicator. Strong communication skills can help prevent misunderstandings, mistakes and frustration.
Your personal and professional relationships can benefit from developing good communication skills. Employers and peers are confident in the information you provide and the way you represent the business to clients, customers, and others. Your professionalism and value in the workplace will increase if you use direct, honest, and professional communication techniques.
Additionally, being a good communicator enhances your career outlook. Employers seek team members who can effectively communicate with others both orally and in writing. This decreases time wasted, which can increase productivity and efficiency at work.
20 ways to be a good communicator
Here are 20 ways you can become a good communicator:
Listen
Being a good communicator starts with paying close attention to the other person when you’re in a conversation. Make an effort to comprehend what is being said, what questions are being asked, and how the other person expects you to respond. Avoid thinking of your response while someone else is speaking.
Rephrase what you heard
Paraphrase what you believe the other person said and repeat it back to them before responding. By asking questions like, “You need two weeks to finish the report, is that correct?” you can confirm that you understood the other person correctly and prevent misunderstandings.
Ask questions
If you dont understand a statement or argument, ask questions. In order to formulate responses and engage in productive dialogue, having all the necessary information is essential. Write down your questions if you can’t ask them right away, such as during a presentation, and ask them later.
Take, for instance, a conversation with a manager who requests that you research social media marketing tactics. To understand exactly what your manager expects, you may need to ask questions like:
Consider your audience
Consider your audience when crafting an oral or written message, and make the necessary content adjustments. Ensure that your topics are meaningful and pertinent, and that the language and terminology you use are accessible to your audience. For instance, you might want to avoid using highly technical terms when speaking to your sales team. Avoid using too much business jargon when interacting with the IT department.
Be conversational when speaking to groups
Consider speaking to groups in a more conversational tone rather than attempting to deliver a performative speech. This can make your listeners feel closer to you, which raises audience participation.
Get comfortable with communicating
Practice your modes of communication. Consider writing exercises that can improve your writing abilities if you must write a lot for work. You might also think about enrolling in a public speaking course or offering to speak at churches, schools, or community organizations.
Be clear and concise
Try to be as direct as possible while using the fewest number of words to make your point. Eliminate unnecessary filler, and choose simple phrasing.
Make an emotional connection
Make an emotional connection with your audience to help make your words more powerful and meaningful. To capture the listeners’ attention, you can use humor, shock, or warmth.
Review your work
Be sure to proofread your writing for proper spelling, grammar, style, and tone before sending any communication. These types of mistakes can distract readers from your message.
Ask for feedback
Ask a few friends or coworkers to review any important writing or speaking you do. They should examine your writing for general spelling and grammar errors as well as whether it effectively communicates your message.
Take a writing course
To improve your writing abilities, enrol in a creative writing course at a community college or library. Your instructors will offer constructive criticism and pointers for your personal and professional writing.
Understand the purpose of your message
Determine the primary purpose of a communication piece before you prepare it. You may write for the following reasons:
Once you understand why you are communicating, you can ensure that your content reflects your objectives at all times.
Pay attention to body language
Monitor non-verbal cues when youre communicating with people. Look for indications that they are paying attention to the material, such as nodding or making eye contact. Crossing one’s arms or looking at a phone are indications that a person might not be paying attention or be distracted. Consider changing your strategy, engaging them in conversation, or taking a break if they are not attentive.
You should also demonstrate your interest in the conversation. Make eye contact with those you are speaking to and keep your arms free.
Avoid cliches and jargon
You want people to understand and connect with your message. Using cliches and business-speak can become distracting for certain audiences. Think about using language and vocabulary that appeals to the greatest number of readers or listeners.
Use action verbs
Instead of passive verbs, use active verbs to make your communication stronger. For instance, you could say, “The company gifted the employee an award, rather than, “The employee received an award.” “Active verbs strengthen your connection to the listener and produce more dynamic pieces of communication.
Take a pause when you need to
If you’re having trouble explaining something clearly, pause for a moment to gather your thoughts. Before responding, prepare what you want to say so that you don’t speak incorrectly or send a confusing message. This tactic is helpful in emotionally charged conversations. If you require more details or context, you might think about taking even more time to formulate your response. You could say, “I don’t have an answer for that question right now, but I’ll look into it and get back to you. People value your integrity and diligence in locating accurate information.
Frame your message to engage readers or listeners
Look for ways to present your work so that readers can identify with it. If you’re running a meeting for employees, think about why they might find the information interesting. Find ways to phrase what you are saying or writing so that the reader feels as though the content matters to them.
For instance, if your business is introducing new appointment scheduling software, you can frame this announcement by outlining how the software can address the scheduling issues that employees are currently facing. This piques the interest of your audience and provides motivation for them to pay attention to the information
Be prepared
Research and comprehend your topic before a crucial conversation or presentation. You should be prepared to respond to follow-up inquiries to prove your subject knowledge. Your audience should have confidence that the information you’re sharing is accurate.
Have one important takeaway
Determine the most important detail you want the other person to recall from your interaction. Repeat this message throughout your communication, and at the conclusion of your discussion, think about asking the audience to do the same.
Be open-minded
Good communicators are open to new ideas. They are receptive to criticism and adaptable, quickly altering their plan of action in response to fresh information.
FAQ
How can I become a better communicator?
The most effective communicators are those who are aware of their own contributions to the conversation and are skilled at facilitating it. Communication for the sake of it is not very helpful. Great communicators will be aware of when their input is required and when it would be best to let others speak.
What are 3 qualities of a good communicator?
- Take ownership of your reactions. …
- Ask questions. …
- Ask for clarification. …
- Agree with feelings, not the facts. …
- Set limits. …
- Be precise with your own words.
