How to Improve Communication?

Communication is a process of exchanging information. The ultimate goal of communication is to make others understand the message you want to convey. However, there are various types of communication. Furthermore, it is one of the soft skills most demanded professionally. This article will explore the tips and strategies, you can apply to improve communication.  

Communication- The Art of Exchanging Information 

The art of exchanging information with others is called communication. We all are social animals and have information, and we share every piece of it all our life, for a million times a day. According to the research, around 50% to 80% of a day is spent in communication.  Hence, it is important to improve communication.  

Types of Communication 

There are various types of communication. Messages are not only exchanged when we speak or talk. In fact, we convey messages through our gestures, facial expressions, body language, and talking capacity.  

Communication done through bodily actions and expressions is called non-verbal communication. Whereas, discussion either written or oral comes under verbal communication. The other types of communication are oral and written communication.  

Research displays, that non-verbal communication is around 93 percent of our total communication, and the rest covers the mere number of 7%. Therefore, to improve your communication skills, working on verbal and non-verbal communication skills is essential.  

Need of Communication 

Of all living species, humans are the only ones who can communicate effectively. We have a voice, words, ways, and the ability to share information with others. For the same reason, good communication is required and most in-demand in our family, professional family life, professional life, and social settings.  

Due to all these elements, professional success is widely relied on communicating effectively. According to the FORBS and World Economic Forum, communication is the top soft skill that can boost your career across the organisation.  

How to Improve Communication? 

No one among us is a born communicator. It is a skill, which can be polished and improved with continuous practice. Here we are sharing a few tips and strategies that can improve your communication for sure.  

Keep Your Audience in Mind  

Intelligence is of two types: IQ and EQ. A person cannot be successful without an emotional quotient no matter how much sharp the IQ is. Therefore, before any communication (verbal, non-verbal, written, oral) keep your audience in mind and try to understand how they will understand this information in the best possible way.  

Bring Empathy and Clarity to your Message 

While you take your audience into consideration, always keep clarity at the top of your priority. Draft forehand, whether you are going to talk in-person, or through an electronic medium like email, or text message.  

Draft a message with a touch of empathy. Empathy works on all levels and in social settings no matter whether you are about to connect with your boss, colleague, opposition, family, or kids.  

Stick to the Point 

To communicate effectively and efficiently, ensure to stick to the point while communicating. This is a golden tip for professional communications. As in these areas, time is money and respecting others’ time is also a basic etiquette.  

Stay Respectful  

No matter, what you will communicate, stay respectful towards others at all costs. It could be possible that you may be angry, disappointed, hurt, or contempt try to control your emotions while you want to communicate. 

Emotions can cloud your judgment; you may fall prey to them. The result could be a nasty communication, fight, or hurt to the other person. Which you will regret later once your emotions go away. Therefore, it is the best option to stay respectful to the core.  

Keep Your Message Concise 

When you communicate, try to keep your message concise. It would be something like sticking to the point.  To ensure that our message is hitting the target and is concise, you can make pointers, before the start of the conversation.  

Try to Master Non-Verbal Communication 

While drafting and sharing verbal messages, also work on your non-verbal communication to deliver the message as you want it to. Nonverbal communication includes facial and body expressions like hand and eye gestures. Try to align them with your message content.  

Adapt Appropriate Tone 

The tone is a part of nonverbal communication. It is perhaps the most effective part of face-to-face or vocal communication, which could be done over the phone.  alignment of tone with setting, audience, and message content is important.  

Choose the Right Medium to Communicate 

Next on the list is choosing the right medium of communication. Now, maybe you are confused about what it means. So, take this example: A person wants to ask someone standing beside him about his dinner plan. What do you think is the right way to ask? Through email, message or direct talk?  Therefore, the best option is to use the fastest, most effective, and easiest natural way to communicate.  

Avoid Conversation Fillers 

In addition, while you are engaged in face-to-face conversations, it is best to avoid conversation fillers to the maximum extent. Fillers can distract the conversation and hinder the delivery of an accurate message.  

Ask Questions 

Next on the list is to ask questions. No matter what type of communication you are in, if something needs to be clear or discussed, Ask it! In this way, you will exclude any assumptions and confusion that may lead to problems later.  

Conclusion 

Finally, now that you know the tips and tricks to improve communication. Apply them in every mode of communication in any social setup.