No matter what business you work in, being able to communicate effectively with superiors, coworkers, and staff is critical. With the right communication skills, workers in the digital age must be able to send and receive messages successfully in person, over the phone, via email, and on social media.
These communication skills will help you get employed, advance in your job, and be successful.
What is Communication?
At its most basic level, communication is the act of transmitting information from one location to another. It can be expressed verbally, written on printed or digital media such as books, magazines, websites, or emails, graphically, or non-verbally. It’s usually a mix of several of these, practically.
Perhaps the most crucial life skill is the ability to communicate effectively. It is what allows you to communicate with others and comprehend what they say to you.
Types of Communication
One can pass a message across through several mediums and we will consider some of how you can communicate with others within your immediate environment.
Verbal Communication
Verbal communication is oral communication in which you convey a message using spoken words. You can share your feelings, thoughts, ideas, and opinions through speeches, talks, presentations, and dialogues.
The speaker’s tone, clarity of voice, loudness, speed, body language, and the quality of the words used in the conversation all influence the efficiency of verbal communication.
Unlike non-verbal communication, feedback is immediate since the sender and receiver are both transmitting and receiving the message at the same time. The sender must speak in a high-pitched, clearly audible tone.
Non-Verbal Communication
Facial expressions, voice tone, pitch, body language, gestures, and physical space between communicators are all examples of nonverbal communication.
Over and above verbal communication, non-verbal cues can provide insights, additional information, and significance. Research has it that non-verbal communication accounts for 70 to 80 percent of all communication!
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Importance of Good Communication Skills
From your work life to social events and everything in between, improving your communication skills can help you in all facets of your life.
The capacity to express information effectively, clearly, and as intended is an important life skill that should not be underrated. It’s never too late to enhance your communication skills, and you could just find that doing so improves your overall quality of life.
Communication skills become increasingly important as your career grows; most supervisors and leaders require the ability to communicate, listen, question, and write clearly and concisely.
In your personal life, effective communication skills can help you understand others and be understood, which can strengthen your personal connections.
Related: Digital Interview Tips: How to Nail a Video Interview without losing out
How to Improve your Communication Skills
There are top communications skills that recruiters want to see you exude in a workplace. Show them and develop them into something that would impress your boss, colleagues, and customers.
#1. Listening
One of the best ways to be an excellent communicator is to be a good listener. No one enjoys conversing with someone who is just interested in putting in her two cents and does not listen to the other person.
It will be difficult for you to understand what you are being asked to do if you are not a good listener.
Active listening entails paying attentive attention to what the other person is saying, clarifying questions, and rephrasing what they say to ensure comprehension.
Active listening allows you to better comprehend what the other person is trying to convey and respond accordingly.
#2. Concision and Clarity
For verbal communication, stating just enough is key. Don’t say too much or too little. Try to say as little as possible in your message. Whether you’re chatting to someone in person, on the phone, or by email, say what you want plainly and directly.
If you go on and on, the audience will either tune you out or be unsure of what you’re talking about.
#3. Affability
You can encourage your coworkers to communicate openly and honestly with you by using a pleasant tone, posing a personal question, or simply smiling. In all of your workplace communications, it’s critical to be courteous.
In both face-to-face and written communication, this is critical. Personalize emails to coworkers and/or employees as showing a minor concern at the beginning of an email can personalize a message and make the receiver feel more valued.
#4. Open-Mindedness
A good communicator should approach with flexible, open mind communication. Rather than merely getting your message over, be open to listening to and comprehending the other person’s point of view.
You will have more honest and fruitful conversations if you are prepared to engage in discourse with those with whom you disagree.
#5. Feedback
An important communication skill is the ability to give and accept feedback. Managers and supervisors should be on the lookout for new ways to deliver constructive feedback to their employees, whether it’s through email, phone conversations, or weekly status reports.
Likewise, you should be able to accept and even encourage other people’s feedback. Listen to the feedback you’re given, ask clarifying questions if you’re unclear about something, and attempt to put it into practice.
#6. Choosing the Best Medium
Simply knowing the form of communication to employ is a fundamental communication skill. Some critical conversations, such as layoffs, resignations, compensation changes, and so on, are nearly always better conducted in person.
You should also consider the individual you want to communicate with. You might wish to send your message via email if they are an extremely busy individual such as your employer.
People will value your considerate communication style and are more inclined to respond positively to you.
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#7. Respect
Respecting and appreciating what others have to say is a crucial component of communication.
Paying attention to what they have to say, using their name, and not being distracted are all examples of being respectful.
Respecting people makes the other person feel valued, which leads to a more open and fruitful interaction.
Why do I need to Develop Strong Communication Skills?
Every day, we receive, send, and process a significant quantity of communications in this modern age we live in. However, effective communication entails more than just exchanging knowledge; it also causes an understanding of the emotions that underpin that information.
Successful communication can strengthen personal and professional relationships. They can help us understand people and circumstances that occur daily in our personal lives.
Developing communication skills can assist us in avoiding disputes, reaching compromises, and making better decisions
Other Ways to Improve your Communication Skills
Here are few ways to improve your communication skill for effective communication with others within your workspace.
#1. Match your Abilities to the job Requirements
Examine the job posting, paying particular attention to the hard and soft talents mentioned in the job description. Then, tailor your CV and cover letter to their specifications.
#2. Gain Knowledge of other In-demand Skills
Your job description may not explicitly mention soft skills like communication but hiring managers value them.
#3. Make the most of Employment Interviews
Rather than just inform the hiring manager that you have the verbal communication skills needed for the job, job interviews allow you to show them you do.
prepare for your interview by practicing beforehand and don’t be afraid to pause before you respond to their questions or to seek clarification if necessary.
#4. Don’t Stop when you get the Job
Want to make a lasting impression on your colleagues after they hire you? Use your communication skills at work.
Whether it’s taking part in the company meeting or talking with a client, you’ll have many opportunities to show how well you communicate.
What are the Signs of Poor Communication in the Workplace?
Communication is the key to a successful workplace. Although the consequences of poor communication with others may not be apparent immediately, they have a long-term devastating effect on the workplace.
Below is a list of the signs of poor communication.
- Insufficient detailed communication
- Using the wrong medium to communicate critical messages
- Communication that is both passive and aggressive
- Inadequate follow-up and consideration
- Others’ scapegoating and intimidation
- Failure to pay attention
Conclusion
For overall company growth, leaders and employees must have impressive communication skills. Remember, communication is the glue that ties the company together.
Due to a lack of efficient communication, workers lack an obvious knowledge of the company’s vision and priorities and managers would have a hard time motivating their teams.
At the end of the day, poor communication may jeopardize the company’s success.
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