How to improve your communication skills

How to improve your communication skills

Communication is an essential skillset for any environment. From school presentations to making friends, communication skills help you climb up the social ladder and achieve your goals efficiently and quickly, depending on how good you are. 

Imagine a salesperson with lousy communication skills: would he be able to sell his product if he stuttered or mumbled? To be a better communicator, you need to be a good listener. These days, not many people are willing to listen to others. They won't even wait until you finish talking before they begin giving their reply. Alas, these are not the habits of an excellent communicator.

Here are some tips that will help you become a good listener and communicator:

Good communicators always think before they speak. First, try to absorb what the other person is saying and actively listen to them and respond after reflecting on it. Take your time to come up with a response rather than blurting out the first thing that comes to mind.

Many people try to avoid eye contact due to social anxiety or shyness, which is understandable. However, when you are avoiding eye contact, it makes other people think that you have no interest in talking to them or, worse, that you are intimidated by them. Neither of these is ideal situations to be in. Try to maintain eye contact every few seconds to continue the conversation and exude confidence, even if you have to simulate it. 

You will notice an excellent communicator sees every small detail of the other person. They may notice the color or texture of the other person's shirt and bring that in the conversation, or they may see the foreign accent and bring that up. Details like these may not seem important, but they go a long way in making the other person feel like they are being paid the attention they deserve and lead to a much more fruitful conversation. 

Complimenting or appreciating something about the other person, even if it's a small detail, will give assure the other person that you're interested in the conversation. Notice tiny details even if the other person is unaware of it.