Improve Communication – Top Ten Skills
Here you will find the top ten easy-to-apply skills to improve communication in both your work and life.
Communication Skills – Top ways to Improve Communication
Here you will find the top ten easy-to-apply skills to improve communication in both your work and life.
Top Ten Skills to Improve Communication
1) Listen without judgment
The key to good communication is listening well.
Save your judging for later after you have heard and understood what was said.
2) Listen with the willingness to be swayed by the other person’s opinion
This doesn’t mean you have any obligation to actually be swayed. All you need do is to stay open to the option.
3) Listen without thinking about what you will say next
Take time before you respond.
4) Investment in being right will not improve communication
Being right is not the point.
If you must be right, you are not able to listen or communicate because you have set up a communication barrier already.
If you are always right that means the other person is always wrong.
That cannot be true.
5) If your mind wanders, ask for repetition
We all are subject to distraction.
Improve communication by trying always to stay focused.
6) In all cases repeat back what you heard and ask if it is correct.
Everyone needs to feel they have been heard before they are willing to listen to anything you have to say.
7) Listen to Yourself
Find quiet moments and pay attention to what you are hearing from yourself.
Does your body tighten up about certain issues?
Body language is not something to be read only in other people.
8) Say it honestly, but with consideration for the listener’s feelings
Be polite, respectful, and sincere.
9) Neither Black nor White
Understand and acknowledge that most things are not black or white, but somewhere in a grey area
You can easily improve communication by getting comfortable with grey.
10) Have Integrity and Build Trust
Don’t say what you don’t mean.
Don’t promise what you won’t or can’t fulfil.
Follow through with any commitments you make.
Good listening skills take practice. Specific coaching may be necessary if you find you have communication issues with your boss, colleagues, subordinates, partners or personal relationships.
You will also benefit from understanding the seven barriers to communication that can affect the way we interact and collaborate with others.
This article was contributed by Dorene Lehavi, PhD
Improve Communication
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