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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Here are some guidelines for developing good communication skills you can practice anywhere, at ant time

STEP

1. Know what communication really is
Communication is the process of transferring signals/messages between a sender and a receiver through various methods (written words, nonverbal cues, spoken words). It is also mechanism to establish and modify relationships.

2. Manifest constructive attitudes and belief
The attitudes you bring to communication will have a huge impact on the way you compose yourself and interact with others. Choose to be honest, patient, optimistic, sincere, respectful, and accepting of others. Be sensitive to other people's feelings, and believe in their competence.

3. Making eye contact
Whether you are speaking or istening, looking into the person's eyes whom you are conversing with can make the interaction more successful. Eye contact conveys interest and encourages your partner to be interested in you in return. In less intimate settings, when giving a speech in front of several people, holding the eyes of different members of your audience can personalise what you are saying and maintain attention.

4. Be aware what your body is saying
Body language can say so much more than a mouthful of words. An open stance with arms relaxed at your sides, tells anyone around you are approachable and open to hearing what they have to say. On the other hand, arms crossed and shoulders hunched, suggests disinterest in conversation or unwillingness to communicate. Appropriate posture and a approachable stance can make difficult conversations flow more smoothly.



5. Have courage to say what you think!
Be confident in knowing you can make worthwhile contribution to the conversation. Take time each day to be aware of your opinions and feelings so you can adequately convey them to others. It is OK to be different as what is important or worthwhile to one person may not be the same for another.


6. Speak clearly enough to be heard
When you say what you think, have the confidence to say it so as to be heard. An appropriate tone and volume tells listeners you mean what you say, that you have thought about what you are saying, and what you are saying is worth hearing. Using proper inflection, ensure your listeners hear exactly what you are saying, to reduce the possibility for misunderstanding.

7. Practice
Developing advanced communication skills begins with simple interaction. Communication skills can be practiced every day, which ranges from more social to more professional. New skills take time to refine, but each time you use your communication skills, you open yourself to opportunities and future patnerships.


8. Develop effective listening skills
Not only should one be able to speak effectively, one must listen to other person's words and engage in communication of what the other person is talking about. Avoid the impulse of listening only for the end of the sentence, so you can blurt out ideas or memories that come to your mind while the other person is speaking.

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