What is Communication?
Communication is the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.
The way we communicate says everything about us. It brings out our character and our capabilities. We need to engage with people every day for personal and professional purposes. Good communication is a means to build healthy relationships and networks. Communicating effectively has become a vital skill in this competitive world.
“Communication is the lifeline of any relationship.” – Elizabeth Bourgeret
Tips to enhance your communication:
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Be an excellent listener:
What we want to say matters. But it is more important to listen carefully to what the other person has to say. Listening genuinely and having a positive attitude in what people speak indicates our willingness to interact.
Leave your judgments to yourself and give affirmative replies like, “I understand” “Yeah” “That’s great” to make the speaker feel that they are being listened to and valued.
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Express yourself:
Communication is a two-way process that includes listening and speaking. When it comes to speaking, one must keep in mind to share honest and open thoughts and feelings.
Communication is about expressing yourself, your views, and your beliefs gracefully while respecting the opinions of others. It is also essential to give/receive feedback positively, irrespective of its nature.
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Non-verbal communication is the key:
We subconsciously use hand gestures, facial expressions, voice tones, eye contact, posture, and even breathing when we communicate. These little things help in having amazing conversations.
Learning to recognize and capitalize these nonverbal signs can send our message as accurately as possible. It will also become easier to connect with people and be more likable.
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Be mindful of what you speak:
While discussing a sensitive subject, we allow our emotions to lead us. We tend to ignore that the conversation leads to an unpleasant situation where we say things that we later regret.
Feelings like love, anger, happiness, sadness, and stress can easily occupy our minds during conversations. Thus it is necessary to be calm and keep in mind that the entire point of the communication is a peaceful ending for both parties.
Being emotionally relaxed can help us think rationally and communicate without losing our cool.
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Make smart word choices:
Words are powerful, and knowing how and when to speak them makes you powerful. Making smart word choices can help you leverage the power of words.
The words we choose to speak can have a significant impact on our message. They determine how effectively the message is conveyed to others.
“The art of communication is the language of leadership.” – James Humes.
Use pronouns like “Us” and “We” while speaking with your team. This way, they will feel more involved in the process and will deliver better results.
The bottom line:
Now we know that effective communication is the key to winning over people and opportunities. It helps in connecting with new people and showcasing our overall personality. Following these few tips in your daily life will result in better discussions, long-lasting relationships, stronger bonds, increased intimacy, and a charming persona.