5 Ways to Become a Better Communicator

 Mar. 28, 2022 |

Effective communication is always vital. Without it, none of us would be able to fulfill our personal and professional goals. What do you want to communicate? Your ideas, your thoughts, your emotions? Whatever it is, becoming a better communicator takes time and practice. Here are some tips for how to improve your communication skills.

Be aware of your body language

Most studies show that body language is the most significant factor in communication. If you want to improve your communication skills, it's important to be aware of your body language. Nonverbals include gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact. To be a better communicator, you can practice observing people and noticing their nonverbals in different situations. It's also necessary to know how others are responding to your nonverbals. Are they mirroring the same emotions you are feeling? Or are they reacting differently?

Be aware of your words and tone

As a general rule, be aware of the words you use. Your words can have a great impact on the listener, so use them carefully. Also, be aware of your tone when talking to others. When communicating with someone who doesn't agree with you, stay calm and remember that there will always be somebody on the other side who disagrees with what you're saying.

Learn to listen

An important step to becoming a better communicator is listening. To be able to listen and comprehend what others are telling you, you must develop your mindset and strategies for listening. Try focusing on the person's body language and facial expressions, their tone of voice, and their overall demeanor.

Have an opinion, but be able to back it up

Having an opinion is important, but you can't be right 100 percent of the time. One way to improve your communication skills is by being able to back up your opinion with evidence. Whether it's research that supports how you feel or statistics that back it up, having evidence will help make your opinion more trustworthy and believable.

Know what you want to say

Be honest with yourself about what you want to say. Are you looking for a meaningful conversation? Do you want to make someone laugh? Do you wish to share your opinions on something? Knowing what you want to say will help guide the communication style you should use.

The more practice you get with your communication skills, the better you'll be at what you do. A lot of people say they want to improve their communication skills, but they never put in the work necessary. This is because they don't know how to practice improving those skills. To be a better communicator, try practicing making your points more succinct. This will help you to make your thoughts and ideas clearer to those around you.

Communication is a two-way street, and it takes two to have a conversation. If you want to make a strong impression on the people you meet, you need to practice your body language and learn how to listen. People will remember how you make them feel, so give them some time to think back on your conversation. Let them know what you want out of the conversation, and be sure to share your thoughts if they ask.