How To Improve Your Communication Skills

  • August 4, 2010
  • 3,609 Views
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Learn how to improve your communication skills and get more of what you want by following these steps.

You Will Need

  • Clear speaking
  • Key phrases
  • Vocal skills
  • Eye contact
  • Hand gestures
  • Listening skills
  • Large vocabulary
  • Open-ended questions
  • Empathy
  • Memory (optional)
  • Anger management (optional)
How To Improve Your Communication Skills: Enunciate clearly

Step 1: Enunciate clearly

Enunciate clearly and speak slowly enough to be understood. Get it right the first time.

How To Improve Your Communication Skills: Listen actively

Step 2: Listen actively

Listen actively, reinforcing their message with statements such as, “Yes, I see.” Restate their points with instant feedback like, “What I hear you saying is…” so they know they have been heard.

How To Improve Your Communication Skills: Animate your conversations

Step 3: Animate your conversations

Animate your conversations by avoiding a monotone — modulate your pitch. Deepen your voice by speaking from your diaphragm.

How To Improve Your Communication Skills: Establish eye contact

Step 4: Establish eye contact

Establish eye contact, or you risk being perceived as insecure and incompetent. Use hand gestures to emphasize points.

Remembering names is a sign of respect.

How To Improve Your Communication Skills: Expand your vocabulary

Step 5: Expand your vocabulary

Study and use an ever-expanding vocabulary to gain attention and respect for what you have to say.

How To Improve Your Communication Skills: Use open-ended questions

Step 6: Use open-ended questions

Use open-ended questions starting with “what,” “where,” “why,” and “when” to ensure a balanced give and take.

Manage your anger or you will undermine trust.

How To Improve Your Communication Skills: Show empathy

Step 7: Show empathy

Remain positive and show empathy. Refrain from making assumptions about others or weighing the conversation down with antagonism.

Patients of doctors trained in communication are more likely to follow prescribed treatment.

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Comments (1)

Matt_Savage

Just be careful what hand gesture you use to emphasize your point!

about 1 year ago by Matt_Savage

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