How To Improve Communication Skills

How To Improve Communication Skills

The number one criteria for advancement and promotion for professionals is an ability to communicate effectively.

I do believe, the ability to connect and communicate.

So number one criteria for success with your family, friends, in the workplace, in the marketplace, in the community is if you can connect with people. If you can communicate and connect. Not just communicate.?It gives you a decided edge over others in the advancement of what you're trying to accomplish.???

In the book 'Everyone Communicates, Few Connect,' John C Maxwell writes,

The ability to communicate and connect with others is a major determining factor in reaching your potential.

He defines "connecting" as the ability to identify with people and relate to them in a way that increases your influence with them.

There are four compelling foundations that we can stand on if we want our speech to be robust and change the world. Fortunately, these things spell a word, and the word is HAIL, and it has a great definition as well.?

The H is Honesty

Of course, you are accurate in what you say, being straight and clear.?

The A is Authenticity

Just being yourself, a friend of mine described it as standing in your truth, which I think is a lovely way to put it.?

The I is Integrity

You are your word, actually doing what you say and being somebody people can trust.?

And the L is Love

I don't mean romantic love, but I mean wishing people well.

Becoming a great conversationalist

Do you know the one key to becoming a great conversationalist??

The key is to pause before replying. A short pause of three to five seconds after a person stops talking is a very classy thing to do in a conversation. When you pause, you accomplish three goals simultaneously.

?a. Avoid Risk of Interrupting

You avoid running the risk of interrupting if the other person is catching their breath before continuing.?

b. Show Care?

The second benefit is that you show the other person that you carefully consider their words by not jumping in with your comments at the earliest opportunity.

?3. Hear Others?

The third benefit of pausing in conversation is hearing the other person better. Their words will soak into a deeper level of your mind, and you will understand what they are saying with greater clarity. By pausing, you'll mark yourself as a brilliant conversationalist.?

Question for Clarification

Another way to become a great conversationalist is to question for clarification. Never assume that you understand what the other person is saying or trying to say. Instead, if you have any doubt, ask how you mean or how you mean precisely, and then pause and wait. It is the most powerful question I've ever learned for guiding and controlling a conversation. It's almost impossible not to answer this question when you ask, how do you mean? The other person cannot stop themselves from answering more extensively. You can then follow up with additional open-ended questions and keep the conversation rolling along.?

No alt text provided for this image

3.????Paraphrasing

The third way to become a great conversationalist is to paraphrase the speaker's words in your own words. So after you have nodded and smiled, you can then say, well, let me see if I've got this writer. Let me know if I understand what you're saying, and then you repeat it back in your own words. By paraphrasing the speaker's words, you demonstrate in no uncertain terms that you are genuinely paying attention and making every effort to understand their thoughts or feelings.?

No alt text provided for this image

The wonderful thing is when you practice effective listening, other people will begin to find you fascinating. They will want to be around you, and they will feel relaxed and happy in your presence because you make them feel important when you listen to other people.?

Conclusion

Listening is such a powerful tool in developing the art and skill of conversation because listening builds trust. The more you listen to another person, the more they trust you and believe in you.?

Listening also builds self-esteem. When you listen attentively to another person, their self-esteem will naturally increase, and they will feel better about themselves and feel more valuable and more respected.??

No alt text provided for this image

Finally, listening builds self-esteem in the listener. Your mind can process words at 500 to 600 words per minute, and we can only talk at about 150 words for a minute. It takes real effort to keep your attention focused on another person's words. If you do not practice self-discipline in conversation, your mind will wander in a hundred different directions. The more you pay close attention to what the other person says, the more self-disciplined you will become. In other words, by learning to listen well, you develop your character and personality.

?

Jamie Graves

Strategic Direct Marketing Partner for Associations | Membership Renewals, Recruitment, Fundraising and Engagement ??

2 年

Do you have the article where this was published - Harvard Business Review, “The No.1 criteria for advancement and promotion for professionals is an ability to communicate effectively.”?

回复
Muhammad Adnan Arshad - FCMA

Financial Controller at Service Industries Limited - Tyre Division

3 年

Very Well written Kashif Riaz

Olfa Khemiri

???? Agile and QA Coach & Trainer ?? Driving agile and QA transformation for companies ??? Empowering organizational confidence to overcome challenges ?? Transforming "It's too hard" into "Absolutely possible" ??

3 年

Excellent share for useful tips to improve communication skills , Thanks Kashif Riaz

回复
Md. Habib - Ul- Islam

Officer Client Service at Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited | EX- Grameenphone | MSS Economies

3 年

Thanks for sharing! These tactics will add more advantage in workplace! :)

Faiza Tariq

customer services|| administration

3 年

Very powerful n helpful article, brilliantly written and explained. The conclusion is characterizing your unique approach. The way you have embodied your thoughts are remarkable??????

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Kashif Riaz的更多文章

  • The Science Behind Self-Confidence

    The Science Behind Self-Confidence

    Self-confidence is like a key to personal success, and it's a tricky thing that involves our thoughts, feelings, and…

    72 条评论
  • Say Thanks to Setbacks

    Say Thanks to Setbacks

    In the journey of life, we often encounter setbacks and obstacles. These challenges can be disheartening and…

    218 条评论
  • Mind Management, Not Time Management

    Mind Management, Not Time Management

    "Mind Management, Not Time Management" explores a new way of thinking about success. Instead of focusing on how you…

    280 条评论
  • The Future of Work: Businesses Vs Employees

    The Future of Work: Businesses Vs Employees

    A Business Perspective The world of work is going through a significant change, with businesses playing a major role in…

    88 条评论
  • 7 Leadership Lessons from "The Godfather"

    7 Leadership Lessons from "The Godfather"

    The Godfather trilogy is a cinematic masterpiece renowned for its captivating portrayal of the Corleone family's rise…

    216 条评论
  • Breaking the Glass Ceiling: 6 Hurdles for Women's Leadership Success

    Breaking the Glass Ceiling: 6 Hurdles for Women's Leadership Success

    To achieve gender equality and diversity at work, it's essential to understand the specific challenges women face when…

    208 条评论
  • Why Should a Woman Be Independent?

    Why Should a Woman Be Independent?

    Introduction In today's rapidly changing world, the concept of independence for women has gained immense significance…

    212 条评论
  • The Magic of Travel and Personal Growth

    The Magic of Travel and Personal Growth

    IT LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS THEN TURN YOU INTO A STORYTELLER - IBN BATTUTA Traveling is not just about exploring new…

    231 条评论
  • The Human Software Update: A Road to Excellence

    The Human Software Update: A Road to Excellence

    We often experience software updates in the digital age that promise improved efficiency and enhanced device security…

    253 条评论
  • Cracking the Code of Self-Confidence

    Cracking the Code of Self-Confidence

    Self-confidence is often viewed as a mysterious and elusive trait that some people possess naturally while others…

    195 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了