The Power Of Communication : 10 Ways To Improve Your Communication Skills - Parul Sharma Van Dam

What Is Communication?

At its most basic level, communication is the art of transmitting information from one person to another or a group, or one location to another. It can be expressed verbally, phone call, video call, written on printed or digital media such as books, magazines, websites, or emails, graphically, or non-verbal.

Effective Communication: Is a critical part of our world. Whether in the workplace, at home, or running errands, the ability to understand other people and be understood influences your quality of life and your relationships with other people. To cultivate a healthy reputation for yourself and good relationships with others, the best thing you can do is develop your communication skills.

Types Of Communication:

• Verbal : 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: 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!

Communication Skills: The following tips will help you enhance your verbal, non verbal communication skills, help you land a job, advance your career, help build lifelong relationships & friendships, attract your target audience or help build your brand & business.

1. Listen, listen, and listen. Everyone loves to talk about themselves, but genuine leaders reflect their leadership by truly paying attention to what others have to say, one person at a time. Like every other skills communication skills are a key part of being a Leader of the business. Learn how to have a person open up about themselves - by asking open ended questions. Have genuine interest in the person, give them undivided attention, ask questions about what they truly care about, give genuine compliments to build long lasting relationship.

2. Body Language Matters : Make eye contact while holding the conversation, smile or express yourself through your body language and facial expression. Ask for clarification, if you missed an important piece of information. In any form of relationship building formal or informal, its better to have face to face conversation, or a video conference, mirror their body language, give a good handshake in informal situations, do not cross your arms as it indicates you are not receptive to their ideas or thoughts. To reflect your confidence have keep your chest broad and broaden your space, while being professional. In informal meetings, give a warm hug to your close friends or family.

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3. Document Everything: Take notes, during your one on one's. Send a follow-up email after your meet up, with time and date of the next meeting with a link or calendar invite. Write down their birthday, wish them on special occasions. Hand written notes are thing of a past, even a simple note can do wonders to cheer someone up. Drop something funny or share a appropriate joke to cheer someone up.

4. Language & Relationship Building : It's ok to use slangs or acronyms, when you are with your friends. Or if you have built close relationship with your boss over the years.

If working in international teams be mindful of their culture. For example, Japanese, give a lot of respect to their business card, receive it with both hands. Research about their culture & language, before your meeting with them. So they understand you have genuine interest in them. If giving them presents, share the reason and meaning behind them. Learn how to say hello in their language, would be a small gesture but would show your intellect and business etiquette. Be assertive but manage your tone.

5. Being Grateful : Emotional awareness, comes naturally to yogis and its one of the greatest tool for any leader who wants to hone their communication skills. I keep "Thank You Cards" handy to give it to everyone who has contributed in any small form in my life. Cooking, baking treats for your team, sharing donuts or meals, taking them out for a bowling game etc would be some great ways to build rapport with your team. Leave a post it note for your boss, employees, loved ones to cheer them up, once in a while.

6. In Person Meetings vs. Emails? Take any opportunity to meet the person or the least have a video call. Follow the dress code, if it as mentioned in the invite & wear professional attire. Pick colors like blue, black, white etc to come across more business oriented. Humans are social animals, and with Covid everyone is feeling stressed and afraid to be around people. So, be more mindful of their fears and concerns, if they refuse to meet in person. And don't forget to wear mask, vaccinate yourself & maintain 6 Ft. distance.

This is important for face-to-face meetings and video conferencing. Make sure that you appear accessible, so have open body language. This means that you should not cross your arms. And keep eye contact so that the other person knows that you are paying attention. Wear professional attire, appropriate to the event setting. Don't interrupt while other person is presenting their idea or a thought. If you did it by mistake, apologize and ask them politely to continue.

7. Proof Read Your Message. Spell and grammar checkers are lifesavers, but they are not foolproof. Double check what you have written, to make sure that your words are communicating the intended message. Be brief, yet specific, for written and verbal communication, practice being brief yet specific enough, that you provide enough information for the other person to understand what you are trying to say. There are some time saving proof reading tools tools such as Grammerly etc.

8. Think before you speak. Speak slowly & clearly. Always pause before you speak, not saying the first thing that comes to mind. Take a moment and pay close attention to what you say and how you say it. You would come across as more professional and confident. This one habit will allow you to avoid embarrassments among others and for yourself. If you don't understand slangs of other language, please avoid using them, especially in professional setting. Always keep your target audience, setting of the meeting in mind.

9. Treat everyone equally. Do not talk down to anyone, be courteous, treating everyone with respect. Treat others as your equal. Based on Ancient Yogic Principle, what goes around comes around. Show respect and genuine interest to everyone you meet and you will get respect back, this creates your brand image in the long run.

10. Maintain a positive attitude, smile & Keep a Growth Mindset: Even when you are speaking on the phone, smile because your positive attitude will shine through and the other person will experience it. When you smile often, reflect yourself, be genuine, and exude a positive attitude, people will respond positively to you. Wear professional clothes, even when you are working remotely at home, as if you are in a work setting. as it would impact your energy and confidence level, while performing your tasks and duties. Commit to your personal and professional growth with growth mindset.