How to Improve Your
Communication Skills
It's nearly impossible to tell you exactly what to do to improve your communication skills. But there are some key areas you can improve on that will help you to communicate more effectively and help you to feel more confident in social settings!
Be Clear
Know what it is you are trying to get across before you start to speak. Make sure it is clear to the other person why exactly you are talking with them - Do you need information from them? Are you going to tell a story? Do you have an important point to get across? Try to be concise and to the point when you speak.
Stay Positive
Consciously speak in a positive rather than critical way. If you approach conversations this way, you will exude positivity and make others more likely to respond favorably to you in return.
Try not to take another person's negative reaction personally. It is much more likely that they are reacting out of fear or frustration, not because of you as an individual. If you are able to stay calm and cool and non reactive, you are in a much better position to get the conversation back on a positive track. This is a very effective way to improve your communication skills.
Ask Questions
Few things are as powerful as good questions and you will improve your communication skills dramatically by learning how to ask pertinent ones. Asking questions throughout a conversation lets the other person know you are interested in what he's saying, you care about him, and that you have been listening. You are also able to gather more important information that will be useful in improving this relationship, as well as continuing a good conversation.
Actively Listen
Active listening goes hand in hand with asking good questions. It is essential for the person you're speaking with to feel like you're listening carefully and closely to him. Listening shows care, generosity, and interest. What a gift to give to someone else!
It does take some work to be a good listener, but that is true of all ways to improve your communication skills. You'll have to practice paying attention to what is being said instead of worrying about what you will say next. You can use phrases like "Uh huh" and "Oh" to let the other person know you are involved in the conversation. You can also reflect what she's said, "So what you're saying is…" to ensure that you're understanding her message correctly.
Body language that is associated with good listening is making eye contact, facing the other person, nodding your head, and staying focused on the speaker.
Be Flexible
"I apologize for…"
"Tell me more about __, I don't really know much about it."
"You've got a good point."
"You may have changed my mind on…"
"Hmmmm, that's interesting. I'll have to think more about that."
You have reached a great step in improving your communication skills when you are able to use the above phrases sincerely. Phrases like these show that you are confident enough to admit when you're wrong, disclose when you're not well informed on a certain topic, and acknowledge that you are open to new ideas. Think of how much respect you have gained from being so flexible!
Learn From Experience
Take mental notes of your conversations, the ones that go well and the ones that don't. What you could have said differently? Were you able to get your points across successfully? Improve your communication skills with this new information and feel your conversational confidence grow.
Tips for Being a Conversation Magnet:
Be confident and approach others. Introduce yourself.
Listen to introductions. Remember names.
Maintain eye contact and smile.
Use humor appropriately to lighten conversation.
Be well-read and familiar with current events.
Encourage others to participate in the conversation.
Practice good conversation by answering questions with a comment and then asking a return question.
Learn about the people around you.
Converse with an aura of authority and expertise, but don't sound bossy or know-it-allish.
Ask and show interest in the opinions of others.
Tell interesting (but not overly long) stories.
Be flexible and generous in your conversations.
Improve your communication skills by being enthusiastic.
Use others' names in conversation.
Refrain from dominating the conversation.
Be friendly, especially with people who seem nervous or uncomfortable.
Welcome others to the conversation by physically stepping back and allowing people to join.
You will definitely improve your communication skills if you identify some of your weaknesses and improve on them.
If you would like help getting through your personal communiation challenges, please
contact me!
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