How to improve communication skills
Communication is a skill, and like all skills, you can get better at it through practice. After reading this guide, you will understand how to improve your communication skills and help others do the same. You will be able to effectively employ these techniques in your workplace, which will improve interpersonal relationships, allow for better problem solving, and ultimately lead to better business outcomes.
How to be better at non-verbal communication
Don’t fidget
- Use eye contact intelligently
- Look people in the eye
- Be confident in your use of space
- Strive to be non-reactive during stressful situations
- Keep your emotions level and respond calmly
Tips for improving visual communication
Less is more: Pare back your design and resist the urge to stuff every fact, figure, font and color into a presentation
- Utilize typography
- Pay attention to balance and harmony: Use similar, rather than disparate, elements in your communication
Improving visual communication
Only use it when necessary
- Make sure you are using the proper chart to show the data in the clearest way
- Default to professional templates
- Your message should be the star, not the font, color, or background image
Improving verbal communication
Be better at both what you say and how you say it.
Know what you want to communicate
Begin with your stated purpose
Why is good communication so important at work?
Good communication will result in being able to explain problems, build solutions, form positive relationships with your department, and effectively collaborate on workflow.
- In a client-facing role, communication with them will make or break the relationship. If you are unable to do this, the client will lose trust and could seek another company that is better at communication.
The importance of listening
Being a good listener is the most crucial part of communication.
- You should be tuned in to their non-verbal communication, such as their posture, eyes, hands, and even their posture and manner of speaking to convey a lot of information.
Observe others
What do they do that makes you feel like that?
- Pay attention to the non-verbal signals that they are giving off
- You can mimic the positives, and be aware of the negatives
- If there is someone who you find to be a particularly good or bad person, pinpoint why they make you feel that way
Improving written communication
Make sure your spelling and grammar are perfect.
Take the time to re-read everything that you write
Tone appropriate to the setting
Use pitch to help captivate your audience
Take longer, deeper breaths and speak from your diaphragm to lower your voice
Observe yourself
How do people react to you? Are there times when they react more negatively than others, and can you pinpoint why?
Formatting is key
Format everything, from a Slack message to a full presentation, to make sure that you are creating a readable text
- Use bullet points and paragraphs to break up your message
- Highlight your points in bold if you have a lot of text and underline anything you think is crucial
More tips for improving your written communication
State your assumptions to avoid miscommunications
- Read often
- Use framing to get your point across – think about it from the recipient’s point of view and what’s in it for them.
- Read your writing out loud
How to be a good listener
When you are listening, give your full attention to the speaker
- Look at their non-verbal signals, and listen to their words
- Use clarification questions to follow up on key points and then sum up your understanding to them
- By following the advice above, you demonstrate your engagement in the conversation