10 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills

Webster's defines communication as "an act or instance of transmitting." Communication is about effective expression, and is very much a skill that can be acquired and improved. For these purposes, we shall concentrate on written and verbal communications, and specifically the improvement thereof.

Communication skills are necessary for success in virtually any endeavor. Those who possess high levels of skill in communicating to others have an advantage in the marketplace of information and ideas. Unlike many other skills, effective communicators can take their expertise anywhere. Like any other skill, it must be practiced diligently to maintain and improve.

While there are numerous methods for improving one's communications skills, here are 10 suggestions for your consideration:

1. Always design your message to fit your audience. This focuses your writing or your spoken words, and builds discipline and economy.

2. Always assume a lack of clarity. Whether providing verbal instructions, giving a performance review, or writing a business plan, always assume that your communication will assist in removing confusion or ambiguity.

3. Give verbal presentations. Remember the book reports you used to give in class? The more you did, the better you got. Right? Whether it's a PowerPoint presentation on sales growth or a lecture on foreign affairs, get up in front of an audience and speak.

4. Become a better listener. Many of the best communicators are the greatest listeners. Conversely, some of the poorest communicators are some of the worst listeners. Make a conscious effort to become a better listener. Listening is more than an interlude between your own sentences. Hear you audience. Believe me, they will notice.

5. Get feedback from others. Ask friends or colleagues to critique your writing or speaking. Do you show impatience or frustration and thus limit your effectiveness? Are you too condescending or too inhibited? Ask for candid, helpful constructive criticism, and put it to good use.

6. Find your voice. Pay attention to the tone of your written or spoken words. Modulate the pitch and volume of your voice, as appropriate. Choose your words wisely and enunciate them correctly. Develop a style of writing and speaking that fits you.

7. Observe others. Find writers and speakers who impress you with their abilities and study their differing styles. How well do they use humor? Do they show emotion? Are they inspiring? You don't have to copy them, since you need a style that fits just you. You can certainly borrow, however. And you certainly should.

8. Make good eye contact. Look at your audience, whether an assemblage of hundreds or a single individual across a desk. You can become far more aware of how your message is being received by looking at, rather than looking away from, your audience. This is common sense but so very often uncommon practice.

9. Be passionate. This is not to say you should be obnoxious or all-knowing. In fact, it is almost always better to be humble. It is to suggest, however, that your audience should feel your energy and enthusiasm, as appropriate.

10. Practice. Keep writing. Keep speaking. Keep developing your skills. You will reap what you sow in this area of your life, as in others.

Good luck and good communicating!


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