If you ever get locked out of your house, just talk to the lock calmly.
After all, communication is key!
So goes the joke! Jokes aside, having good communication skills is quite underrated. It won’t be wrong to say that in terms of importance, it is at par with many high-level career courses. It doesn’t matter what degree, or how much experience you have. If you are not able to express yourself clearly and effectively, you won’t be able to move ahead in life.
During an interview, your resume may carry all your achievements and credits, but the interviewer will still ask you about yourself. This is done to assess if you have strong communication skills or not. If you are not able to express what you wish to say, it sends a message of underconfidence. Similarly, if you’re able to talk confidently, are clear about your capabilities, wants, needs, and can convince others of your worth, you will be able to reach new heights of success. Communication skills are not just limited to talking. Your behaviour, gait, handshake, and even how you enter a room of professionals say a lot about you.
Types of communication skills
Whether we realize it or not, we cannot NOT communicate. From talking to one person to addressing an auditorium full of people, each word or expression creates an impact. Sometimes, we communicate without even saying a word – our actions speak for us. Communication skills are of four types: verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual.
Verbal
This refers to the spoken communication that happens every second of your life. From talking to a shopkeeper to communicating with business partners, verbal skills are a part of everyday communication.
Non-verbal
When we communicate without words it is called non-verbal communication. Non-verbal actions like facial expressions, body language, and gestures are sometimes enough to tell others what we wish to say as this kind of communication can rarely be faked.
Written
Texts via messages, WhatsApp, or through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat, are all forms of written communication. As the current world is dealing with a pandemic where people are advised to maintain distance from each other, this kind of written communication has become the new normal.
Visual
Communication sent via pictures, graphs, maps, and drawings are components of visual communication. This kind of communication is largely driven by facts and information.
Why are communication skills so important?
- They help you make friends and foster good relationships with colleagues, family members, and kids. Good communication skills can lead to a higher happiness index and decrease the chances of being stressed out.
- Having good communication skills help you excel at school. You can communicate better with your teachers and peers, thus paving the way to a bright future.
- At work, being able to communicate well brings you a lot more opportunities, helps you to better manage your time, and climb the ladder of success faster.
Tips to improve communication skills
We understand that communicating effectively is not always as easy as it sounds. Building a strong level of communication takes time and practice. But it will take more time and effort if you don’t know where and how to begin. Here are seven simple ways to improve your communication skills that you can put into practice today:
Eye contact
One of the strongest practices you can develop as an effective communicator is to maintain eye contact. When you are talking to someone, look directly into their eyes from time to time to make them feel like you are paying attention. Putting this into practice will make people realize that you are serious about the conversation and speaks volumes about your confidence level.
Observe and listen
Observing and listening are rare skills to find in people, albeit the two major skills that distinguish the fine line between ordinary and extraordinary communication. If you observe people and actively listen to them with full attention, forming statements for discussion will become easier. You can learn a lot about a person just by listening to them, and that knowledge helps to interact in a better way.
Confident body language
Communicating is so much more than verbal chats. If you wish to become better in communication, keep observing how you move, walk, stand, or greet people in daily life. Having a straight posture, firm handshake, and calm facial expression will take you far in life.
Speak clearly
It doesn’t matter if it is an argument, discussion, or a normal conversation, be clear about what you’re saying. Concentrate on speaking slowly and make sure that every word you say has proper enunciation. Also, don’t rush through conversations. Take into consideration if others can understand you or not. If not, then slow down and explain yourself in a clearer manner.
Be a part of groups
You can be an ambivert, omnivert, introvert, or extrovert. Regardless of your personality type, it is advisable to take part in public gatherings like social events, parties, or group talks. These kinds of events will help you build confidence and improve your communication skills.
Use personal examples and experiences
While talking to a group or an individual, sticking to only facts and figures won’t help you in creating the right impact. Make your communication interesting by adding personal stories, real-life experiences, and examples to make your point more relatable and fun for other people to listen to.
Understand your triggers
You may not be in a good mood all the time. It is better to avoid conversations or topics that might trigger your emotional responses. Start by communicating with yourself to know the real you. Understand what triggers you and find ways to go around those emotions to deal with any tough situations properly. This will help you to have better control over what you say in conversation.
Becoming a good communicator is not a one-day process. It takes time, practice, and perseverance. Good communication skills are important in every area of life, especially when you are planning a career. Connect with the education counsellors of LaunchMyCareer who can help you steer a confident career journey and put your communication skills to good use.
