Whether verbal, written, or through our body language, we rely on communication every day. And how well we communicate can significantly impact several areas of our lives – from relationships to the workplace.
While some people may find communication easier than others, research has found that communication skills can be learned and developed.
Here, we’ll explore five ways to improve your communication skills.
Why is communication important?
Communication is a fundamental aspect of human connection. It allows us to express ourselves, share ideas, connect with others, understand the world around us, and build meaningful relationships.
Whether through speaking to others, writing, or body language, we rely on good communication in almost every area of life. For example, effective communication is key for team culture, productivity, and conflict resolution. Similarly, research has linked good communication with personal development, including increased self-awareness and greater ability to give and receive feedback constructively.
Meanwhile, poor communication in various settings can lead to a variety of negative consequences – from misunderstandings and conflict to strained relationships and reduced productivity. In this study, ineffective communication was found to impact employee morale, job satisfaction, and overall performance.
Are some people more natural communicators than others?
It’s no secret that communication comes more naturally to some people than it does to others.
Several factors, including personality, cultural background, and environmental factors (such as the family home you grew up in), can all play a role in how we communicate and relate to those around us.
For example, if you’re naturally empathetic, you may find it easier to understand and connect with others’ experiences; and being raised by parents who encouraged open communication may make you more comfortable expressing yourself. Some people are also naturally gifted with language and social skills.
That said, research has found that effective communication is a skill that can be learned and developed over time – through practice, training, and feedback.
5 ways to improve your communication skills
With research suggesting communication skills can be learned and developed, what are some steps you can take to improve your communication skills? We’ll explore some ideas below.
You might also like to take Very Well Mind’s communication style quiz to find out what yours is.
1. Practise active listening
Communicating always involves two or more people. This means that listening is just as important as speaking when it comes to good communication.
However, listening can be more challenging than many of us realise. In fact, according to experts, we only hear half of what another person says during any given conversation!
Active listening aims to not only hear the words another person is saying, but also the entire message they are trying to convey. Among other things, marks of active listening include giving the speaker your full and undivided attention; clearing your mind of distractions; avoiding the temptation to interrupt; showing open, positive body language; and asking open-ended questions.
Check out our article, Mastering active listening – the secret to stronger connections, to learn more.
2. Be clear and concise
The words you use are a key part of communication. And, in many cases, when it comes to word choice, less can often be more.
According to experts at Harvard Health, the key to powerful communication, whether written or spoken, is clarity and brevity. This means avoiding unnecessary words and waffly language, which can distract from your message.
To help with this, some people find it worthwhile to define their goals and audience before engaging in any form of communication. This can allow more time to consider what it is you want to convey.
3. Consider the role of body language
Research suggests that body language, which includes gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions, accounts for between 60% and 65% of all communication. And studies suggest we’re more likely to believe nonverbal cues over spoken words if the two are in disagreement.
For this reason, paying attention to your body language and taking steps to ensure it matches the message you’re trying to convey can make a world of difference.
If you’d like to learn more about this, check out our article: The role of body language in communication and how to understand it.
4. Adjust your tone
How you say something can be just as important as the words you use. Just like other nonverbal cues, your tone can add power and emphasis to your message, or undermine and change its meaning entirely.
When speaking, volume, projection, intonation, and word choice can all affect how you come across. And being mindful of your tone can help you alter it appropriately if communication seems to be going in the wrong direction.
While tone is naturally easier to control when writing, reading over your written communication at least once can help make sure it sounds right. For example, you might like to read it out loud or ask a trusted friend to check it.
5. Focus on developing emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is key for developing good communication skills because it not only allows you to understand and assess your own feelings, but can also increase your empathy for others.
For example, being aware of your own emotions and the behaviours they trigger can make you better able to manage them. Meanwhile, having the ability to empathise with other people can make having difficult conversations easier.
If you’d like to develop your emotional intelligence skills, you might find this guide from Harvard Business School useful.
Final thoughts...
Communicating is a key part of daily life. We rely on it to express ourselves and connect with others – making it essential to everything from our relationships to our careers.
Luckily, communication skills can be learned and developed, and there are plenty of ways to get started.
For further reading, you might like to browse our other personal development articles.
Do you have any tips for improving your communication skills that you’d like to share? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
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