Develop Your Communication Skills

Do these words conjure up images of a lawyer delivering a masterful closing argument or a public figure delivering a visionary speech? Even if your career path lacks that high Hollywood drama, strong communication skills can make or break your career.

They may be the bane of our professional existence, but meetings are essential for connecting with people, gathering information, and developing a plan of action. Handle them well by using effective communication skills, and they may even help you excel at your job.

Here are some key skills to start strengthening your communication skills now.

1. Listen 101

Good communication starts with understanding other people. Pay attention to both the verbal and non-verbal ways people communicate. It’s not only words that are important, pay attention to tone, body language, facial expressions, whether or not they make eye contact… all of it.

2. Body Language

A person’s feelings can speak volumes through movement. Knowing a thing or two about body language is a key component of effective communication, as well as an exceedingly valuable interpersonal skill.

Pay attention to posture. Are they standing tall or slouched? Are they giving hand and arm gestures? Did you know that crossing one’s legs convey strongly negative nonverbal ques while extensive gestures are interpreted positively and show confidence?

3. Stay Focused

No one will argue! Meetings are long and boring and a barrier to getting your work done. But if you zone out when the conversation turns to things that aren't directly related to you, you might miss an important connection or opportunity.

4. Be Respectful by Paying Attention

The value people bring to the table isn't always a reflection of their job title. So, pay attention to what everyone has to say. You never know where the next great idea will come from.

5. Let People Finish

So, something someone said just sparked the most brilliant thought you've ever had. I know how tempting it is, but there's no need to bulldoze over someone else to be heard. Wait until they're done speaking, then blow their mind. Both with your awesome idea and your manners.

6. Stop Waiting for Your Turn

Here's where that usually in tip #5 applies. When you are in a large group or even a small group of highly outspoken people, you might need to muscle your way into the conversation. If you have something valuable to contribute, don't wait around for someone to ask your opinion. Seize the first opening you can.

7. Give Others an Opening

I grew up with a loud and opinionated family, so muscling my way into a conversation is a skill I developed by preschool, but assertive communication doesn’t come naturally to everyone.

To truly communicate well, you should be aware of other people's communication styles. Some people are simply conditioned to wait for their turn. It doesn't mean they have any less to contribute. Shutting your mouth and opening the door just a bit for them can pay off.

8. Don't Talk Just to Talk

This is one of the most irritating things. If you talk just to hear yourself speak, you are not a good communicator. The operative concept in tip #6 is valuable. You don't always have to say something to participate. Sometimes, simply listening and paying attention is enough. If you can effectively process the information afterward, it may be enough and is just as important.

9. Know Your Role

Multiple team members from the same business often attend the same meeting, event or function. Make sure everyone is on the same page. It is a good idea to take a few minutes to clarify who is responsible for communicating and capturing certain information. This way everyone knows exactly what they need to put into and get out of the discussion, and we don’t wind up speaking over each other. This is especially true if you have those who struggle with rule #6 and rule #8.

10. Come Prepared

Take the time to gather some intel about what you'll be discussing, even if it's just a few minutes. The more you know going in, the easier it is to join the conversation in a meaningful way.

11. Make a Case

I have been making multimillion-dollar decisions related to marketing and branding since this century started, which means I have spent a lot of time pitching my ideas. I pitch marketing strategies. I pitch campaign ideas. I even pitch myself as the employee you most want when on job interviews. No matter what field you work in, you are going to have to pitch something one day.

12. Speak to the Priorities of Your Audience 

First and foremost, remember that you are not trying to convince yourself. So, figure out what information matters to the people you are communicating to. Then structure your information around what they need to hear, not what you want to tell them.

13. Tell a Story

Burying people with a flood of information is not making your case. A great case has a clear beginning, middle, and end. You can get as creative as you want, but if you are having trouble with the structure, follow simple term paper rules.

State your point upfront. Support your point with relevant information. Restate your point. And while doing so, of course, employ the proper nonverbal cues as well — eye contact, good posture, etc.

14. Use the Personal to Bring the Factual to Life

When talking to peers and management about your amazing new idea try incorporating a more concrete example. Telling a story that is relational, interpersonal and can heartwarming will be far more memorable and effective.

15. Speak Clearly and Briefly

Let's assume that someone is reading your e-mail on their phone while rushing down the interstate on their way to meet their trainer. They shouldn't be, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Don't hit them with a 500-word email or a forty-page presentation. Instead, think headers, numbers, and bullets. Make sure the messages important information stands out and can't be ignored.

16. Prepare to Lose

In one great scene of the HBO show "The Night Of," a district attorney asked someone helping her on a case, "How am I going to lose?" This is a great question to wrestle with. You already know all the reasons that you are right. Now, think through what might be wrong with what you are asking, and have a plan for tackling it. 

17. Practice. Practice. Practice.

I've been doing this for a long time, and I still get butterflies in my stomach when I think about standing in front of a group of people and making a case for something that matters.

Of course, this isn’t exclusive to me; public speaking gives up to 80% of people anxiety. For me, practicing what I'm going to say in advance makes a big difference. Some people write and rehearse full scripts.

Some do dry runs with their team. I like to bullet out the points I know I need to make and run through them a few times, finding a few different ways to say them. I get feedback from people I respect and value their input. It always helps. Find the method that works for you but FIND IT. Do NOT skip this step. It helps you build confidence, and confidence is key to making a great case.

18. Keep it Professional

No profane language. No emojis. No exceptions. No exceptions.

19. Keep it Accurate

Fact check. Spell check. Grammar check. And please, spare us all that "Pardon the typos, sent from my phone" nonsense.

20. Be Polite

Please. Thank You. You're welcome. These are Kindergarten skills. Surely, we can manage them.

21. Be Yourself

You are awesome. Believe it, and so will everyone else. 

Exercise a few of these verbal and nonverbal communication tactics, and you will soon be confident in your ability to communicate effectively! You don’t have to master them all to become a better communicator. Focus on a few and watch things improve. After you master your those, come back and develop some additional skills. Never stop improving.

Ruth Bozeman specializes in Marketing, Social Media, Branding, Events, Team Building, Health, Fitness, and Coaching.