Written by: Moira Hutchison, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Communication skills are a better forecaster of success than intelligence. Most of us have jobs that require communicating with others, whether it is verbal or written. Your boss, colleagues, partners, and clients are all subjected to your communication skills.
We all must communicate with the people in our lives. Our partners, friends, family, and neighbors are part of our lives, but only if we communicate with them.
Aside from being compelled to take a public speaking class in high school or college, we are not taught communication skills in any meaningful way. The only way to develop these skills is to make them a priority and begin teaching yourself.
10 skills for communicating effectively
1. Clarity
Have you ever spoken to someone and felt confused by what they were saying? Communication is not really communication if the other person does not clearly understand what you are trying to say. It is important to speak clearly and to present your points clearly and in an organized manner.
2. Brevity
We all know a person that goes on and on and never seems to get to the point. There is a time for stories, and there is a time to be succinct and direct. When you understand what you are talking about, you can make your point clearly and quickly.
3. Listening
Communication goes both ways. You can’t just speak. You also must listen to the other person. Listening seems easier than it is. We are usually not skilled at truly paying attention when someone is speaking. Our minds wander to other things and people. Others take notice of and appreciate a good listener!
4. Directness
5. Why beat around the bush?
It just wastes everyone’s time, including your own. Get to the point without ambiguity.
6. Confidence
Your level of displayed confidence impacts your ability to communicate.
Imagine listening to a presentation by a confident person versus an anxious person.
Now consider how you view someone that is nervous at a party or on a date versus someone that is confident.
Confidence has a positive impact!
7. Eye contact
Eye contact shows that you are confident and paying attention. A lack of eye contact conveys submission, anxiety, or a lack of respect. Practice good eye contact with everyone.
Look into the eyes of strangers you pass on the street.
Look people in the eye when you are talking to them and while they are talking to you.
8. Public speaking
Public speaking skills are invaluable in the workplace. Good public speaking skills also build your confidence, which will positively impact your communication skills in your day-to-day life.
9. Introducing yourself and others
Can you confidently walk up to someone and introduce yourself? Can you introduce two people to each other? We often forget our manners and fail to handle this common act of courtesy with finesse.
10. Non-verbal communication
Much of what you communicate is communicated without words.
The way you stand, move, and gesture matters.
Your facial expressions matter.
Even your clothing says something about you.
11. Grammar
Your grammatical precision is noticed by educated people. Poor grammar impacts the way others view you. Good grammar demonstrates intelligence and class.
Conclusion
Fortunately, effective communication is a set of skills that can be learned.
The best news is that there are always people around to help hone your skills. Everyone is a potential communication practice candidate. Fire up your webcam and talk to people on the other side of the world if you like.
It is difficult to think of something that can have a more profound impact upon your life than enhancing your communication skills. Get started today and see how much of a difference it makes.
For more information and tips on accessing your inner guidance to align with YOUR best success, follow Moira on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, join her Facebook Community, or visit her website!
Moira Hutchison, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine
As an Intuitive Coach, Mindset Mentor, Energy Healer, Meditation Teacher & Tarot Card Reader, Moira Hutchison guides her clients to access the innate power they have available when they ignite their personal trinity of trust, inner awareness, and self-confidence.
Moira works with professionals who feel that there is something better in life for them, but they have no idea how to access it. However, they have a yearning to be guided by their intuition and align with their unique calling.
What makes her distinctive and different in this work is that she has developed the ability to take complex, energetic, and spiritual ideas and interpret them in ways that people find easy to understand, integrate and implement.
