Communication Skills
The skill of communicating effectively with superiors, colleagues, and staff is essential, no matter where you work. In the digital age, workers must know how to convey and receive messages in person and via email, phone calls, and social media.
There are some top communication skills that recruiters and managers want to see in resumes and cover letters. Highlight such skills and demonstrate them during job interviews to get a better chance. Continue to develop the skills once you’re hired to impress your employees.
These communication skills will help you succeed in your career.
Listening
To be a good communicator, one first needs to be a good listener. To be able you give your input, you need to understand what the other person is saying. Nobody would want to have a conversation with someone who only cares about what they have to say and does not take the time to listen. If you’re not a good listener, it’s not going to be easy to comprehend what you’re being asked to do. Practice active listening to complete the task effectively.
Active listening includes paying the utmost attention to what the other person is saying, clarifying questions, and summarizing what the person says to ensure better understanding. By listening actively, you can understand what the other person is trying to say and respond fittingly to the question.
Nonverbal Communication
Body language, eye contact, hand gestures, tone of voice all help deliver the message you are trying to convey. A relaxed, open posture and a friendly tone will make you seem an approachable person and encourage others to talk openly with you. Eye contact is also essential while having a conversation to show that you are focused on them and their conversation. Pay close attention to other people’s nonverbal signals while you are talking. Their body language will give you a lot of hints on how they are feeling while conversing with you.
Clarity and Concision
When making a conversation, restrain yourself from speaking too much or too little. Good verbal communication means saying just enough. Try to forward your message in as few words as possible. Say what you have to clearly and directly, whether speaking in person, on the phone, or via mail. If you talk for a long time, your listener will either lose interest or will be unsure of what you exactly want. Think about what you want to say in advance to avoid talking excessively and confusing your listeners.
Friendliness
It only takes a warm smile, a friendly tone, or a pleasant question to encourage others to engage in open conversation with you. It’s important to be polite while having any communication. Writing a personalized message can make the recipient feel appreciated.
Confidence
It is always advisable to show confidence in your interactions with others. Confidence proves to your co-workers that you know what you’re saying and will follow you through. Displaying confidence can be as easy as making eye contact or using a firm but friendly tone. But be cautious not to sound aggressive or arrogant.
Empathy
Try to show that you have been listening to the other person and respect their opinions. Active listening is the key to help you tune in to what the other person is thinking and feeling, which will make it easier to exhibit empathy. It is vital for you to understand and respect others’ points of view, even when you disagree.
Open-Mindedness
It is essential to display that you respect someone’s opinion. Be open to many opinions and viewpoints when you enter a conversation. It helps you show that you are a good communicator. Rather than trying to get your message across, be open to listen and understand others too.
Respect
Showing that you respect others’ opinion and their life, in general, will help them open up to you more and will be able to communicate freely. Just making eye contact, calling by their name, and listening actively when they speak will make the person feel respected and appreciated. When on a phone call or writing a mail, giving a little effort to convey your respect will go a long way.
Feedback
Giving constructive feedback or receiving them in the right way is an important communication skill. Giving feedback involves providing criticism of the work done, either good or bad, and praises for a job done well. Similarly, being open to feedback is also very essential. Accept and encourage feedback from others and try to improve yourself through the feedbacks given.
Picking the Right Medium
It is always important to be aware of how to convey your message in the best way. Some serious issues like resignation, salary, etc., should be done in person, while other not so urgent issues could be conveyed through a phone call or a mail. Being considerate of others’ time also shows your professionalism. If they are busy and the matter is not urgent, you can update them on their mail or over a short phone call. People will appreciate your thoughtful means of communication.
