Right from the time a person starts his or her career to the time of retirement from work one thing that plays a significant role throughout the career is the communication capability of that person. All of us know that communication skills are great determiners of our success. Communication skills help us in differentiating from others, managing relationships and winning business. Acquiring and using communication skills is not a thing of a particular day or period of time. It is an ongoing process and neglecting it may cost us severely and hinder our career success. Whether it’s a formal meeting or an informal dialogue with the boss or client, what matters is that we should speak and communicate our ideas with calm and confidence that can be honed with practice. Polishing communication skills just require a will to learn lifelong with perseverance. Here are some effective tips that help in refining our communication skills.
Build vocabulary: Using the right words that convey our thoughts is essential for effective communication. Choosing the correct word gets our message across with greater clarity than using words without proper knowledge. We should make a habit of learning new words on a daily basis to build our vocabulary and this should continue throughout our life.
Use simple language: Building vocabulary does not mean using difficult words or jargon that cannot be comprehended by the listener. We should be able to judge what will be understood by the listener and should use simple sentences as far as possible so as to be understood. Plain language that is simple and not confusing is more effective than one that is loaded with heavy jargon but not understood by others.
Listen well: Good listening skills are as essential as speaking skills in the process of communication. Listening well helps in understanding the context better and thereby gives new ideas before talking and helps in preventing avoidable mistakes. The chances of conflicts are reduced when we listen well because most of these are a result of a misunderstanding of others’ words or views.
Practice writing: Many people misconstrue that communication skills mean only speaking skills. But, in reality, communication skills include writing skills as well and if we want to climb the career ladder, we need to concentrate on our writing capabilities and hone them also. Practicing writing regularly will help a lot to improve the way we pen down our thoughts. Reading numerous books, magazines, and blogs would give us clarity on how to write in a professional tone.
Give and take respect: To be an effective communicator, another important aspect is inculcating an attitude of dignity. We should give respect to the speaker and listen carefully and should be able to equally command respect for ourselves. Then only there will be a proper communication among different parties.
Communication skills are important to communicate with family, friends, coworkers, boss, clients, and every other person in this world. The way we communicate can help us or hinder our way in accomplishing our career and personal goals. Regular practice with a strong will to hone our skills will definitely improve our communication skills within no time.