Brush up your communication skills to advance professionally
Have you ever felt fascinated with the way TED-talk speakers present themselves confidently? And you wondered how they managed to captivate the crowd with their message? But then, while watching the talk, you can’t help but feel the need to compare yourself with the speakers, especially if you struggle with getting your message across or comprehending what others are trying to say. Believe it or not, you too can speak like them by sharpening your communication skills, which will make a difference in how you talk and present yourself to others.
Communication skills are vital in our everyday life, both personally and professionally. The ability to communicate effectively helps express ideas, develop relationships, and build trust. Research conducted by a US firm, Garter, revealed that 70% of organisational errors resulted from poor communication. [1] Communication skills entail more than just speaking; they also include active listening, body language, and other sub-skills that can shape a person into being a good communicator.
Not only that, but showcasing these skills can also increase your chance of landing the position you desire or lead you to achieve success in your career because they are a prime indicator of whether you will be a good fit for a position. Through the way you communicate, it will give the interviewer or employer an idea about the personality, attitude, and etiquette you will bring to the company. To get you started, here are tips on how to improve your communication skills: ?
1. Listening
To be a good communicator, you first must be a good listener, as a huge part of communication involves listening. Being a good listener is harder than you would think it is. If it were easy, everyone would have lived in harmony because listening can mitigate miscommunication and resolve conflict. When speaking with another, it is essential that you pay close attention to what is being said and clarify any vagueness, which makes the listener feel heard. Making assumptions about unclear?directions or questions is best avoided by rephrasing them in your own words to get a better understanding. This practice is called active listening that is considered as a communication skill.
In an interview, it is important to listen and give attention to the interviewer because your every word and move are being observed by them. For example, when the interviewer is talking, you should not interrupt them mid-sentence or look elsewhere when they are talking to you. So, don’t rush to answer; instead, you should listen carefully.?
2. Conciseness
As time is precious, it is best not to ramble about unnecessary elaboration when you deliver your message out of respect for the listener’s time. Instead, you should be concise with your message by using few words, avoiding fillers to get your message across and focusing only on the key details. Over-elaboration with your listener can cause them to stop listening to you or become confused about what you say. In contrast, speaking concisely can help the listener to digest the information given quickly and retain the information in their mind, which is important to keep a mental note during a job interview. ?
Truthfully, being concise can be challenging as you need to be brief and direct. One of the best ways to help you speak concisely is to plan what you want to say before you start talking to ensure listeners can capture your message. You would need to determine what information is necessary to relay and what can be left out.
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3. Non-verbal Cues
Non-verbal cues involve body language, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, tone, and many other types of non-verbal communication. These cues are essential for you to keep in check because they can tell a lot about you and how you feel in the moment. For example, in a job interview, a slouched posture might indicate to the interviewer that you are lazy and not excited about the job, while sitting straight could show that you are indeed interested in the job.
Using a happy tone in your conversation can help others see you as approachable, which will help you build networks with others. Maintaining eye contact is also another vital cue in communication as it helps you stay focused on the conversation and enable you to read their facial expressions. However, giving too many non-verbal cues, such as a happy tone or eye contact, can make the listener feel uncomfortable, which is why practice makes perfect. ??
4. Confidence
Another tip for improving communication skills is to be confident when you speak and interact with others because it is the key to becoming a great speaker. Speaking confidently opens multiple job opportunities as it leaves an excellent first impression during a job interview. Most interviewers would interpret this as your ability to carry yourself within the company. Nonetheless, you should be mindful when you let your confidence shine through when you talk because too much of it can appear out as arrogant.????
Some people are naturally confident, while others might need some work done. If you struggle with this, fret not because there are ways that can help you appear confident, such as:
·???????Maintaining eye contact with the listener
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·???????Sitting up straight with open shoulders
·???????Speaking in a friendly tone but firm
·???????Practising in advance so you can talk smoothly and without hesitation
5. Open-mindedness
To be a good communicator who listens and shows empathy, you must be open to other people’s ?opinions rather than insisting on pushing your viewpoint across. This is particularly important to keep in mind when you find yourself in a disagreement with a boss, a colleague, or a friend. It would be best if you never insulted someone because they disagree with you, as it will come off as acting immature. What you need to do is learn to live with the discomfort of being wrong.
Recognising others’ views will make you a mature person who thinks rationally, which is what companies look forward to when hiring, as they want their employees to work harmoniously. Keeping an open mind will allow us to set aside our differences and work together to achieve common goals.
6. Respect
Lastly and most importantly is to show respect when communicating because it is everyone’s duty, in all interactions, to communicate respectfully with one another. Respectful communication involves active listening and patience, regardless of whether the topic is heated. This can be done by simply paying attention to what they say, addressing their name and avoiding distractions, all of which are frequently neglected by the speakers. Showing respect to the other person will make them feel valued, which promotes an open and fruitful interaction.
As a matter of fact, a candidate who showcases respect when communicating is favoured by the interviewer and is often considered for any job because a person who is polite is a treasure to any company since they help maintain a pleasant working environment.
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