12 easy ways to improve communication skills?

Communication is one of the most important skills you can have, and yet it’s difficult to learn. With more and more communications becoming digital these days, the importance of communication skills doesn’t seem to be lost on anyone. Here are 12 easy ways to improve your communication skills :

1) Speak Clearly

A lot of people have trouble articulating their thoughts and ideas clearly enough for others to understand. If you have trouble talking or hearing your words in your head, practice reading aloud with a friend or family member. Make sure that your voice is clear and steady before you try to speak on the phone or into any other audio device such as a speakerphone.

2) Write Clearly

Writing is a great learning tool for practicing your articulation, punctuation and spelling. Many people who have difficulty speaking clearly can write a perfectly clear sentence. When you are writing something down, proofread it before sending it out to make sure you are spelling and punctuating correctly. This will help you to speak more clearly as well.

3) Listen Attentively

It’s easy to tune someone out when you’re not focused on the conversation. If you find it difficult to pay attention, try an activity that requires a lot of focus, such as reading a book or drawing. Practice listening to your parents or teachers by holding conversations with them and trying not to “zone out.”

4) Use Gesture Effectively

Many people speak using hand gestures, but they do not use them effectively. If you are gesturing while talking, make sure that your hands are relaxed and that your gestures are flowing with your words instead of interrupting your speech. If you are using gestures with your hands, make sure that you are keeping them in the same position your entire time speaking.

5) Practice Public Speaking

Public speaking can be a fun and very valuable learning experience. Try it out with a friend or classmates at school or even with one of your parents or teachers at home. As you practice public speaking, focus on being confident and enjoying yourself as well as learning how to use body language effectively to emphasize important points of your speech.

6) Don’t apologize too much

A lot of people say how sorry they are when apologizing for something. If you find yourself apologising often, try to break this habit. As you apologize, make sure that you are explaining your actions and the reasons why you did what you did.

7) Try to avoid repetition

If you have trouble thinking of what to say next, try using a technique called mind-mapping. Mind-mapping is a way of imagining that you are writing down the structure of what you want to say next while physically creating it in your head as well as writing it down. Then you will be able to think of what to say next much more quickly.

8) Don’t Micromanage Others

Give other people the space they need for completing tasks. If you are constantly interrupting other people’s tasks, it will make them feel like they cannot succeed. If you want to be helpful, give other people some space so that they can get their job done without feeling pressure to hurry.

9) Always Be a Good Listener

If you are speaking to someone, don’t just sit there and feel the urge to speak yourself. Spreading yourself out and being a good listener will help you better understand what the other person is saying. Asking questions about what the other person means will help them understand you better as well.

10) Avoid Fidgeting

Fidgeting with your hands or feet will make others feel uncomfortable. Make sure that you are sitting still while listening to other people speak. If necessary, do something with your hands such as play with a pen or paperclip to keep your body feeling still and relaxed.

11) Don’t Talk About Yourself/Be a Good Listener

If you bring up your own accomplishments or take credit for other people’s ideas, it shows that you think more highly of yourself than others do. If you want to communicate effectively, focus on what the other person is saying and let them talk about themselves.

12) Repeat With Confidence

If you’re speaking in public, it’s easy to get nervous and feel nervous while speaking. Try to take time before standing in front of an audience to practice your speech over and over again. Make sure that what you are saying is the most important part and that it flows well from beginning to end. Speak with confidence so others will be confident in following what you have said.

Remember to focus on your breathing. This will help you stay calm in stressful situations.
Practice keeping eye contact because it makes people feel more confident about what they’re saying.

I hope these 12 ways to become a better communicator help you!