Below are some methods listed in the article, '10 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills':
- Focus beyond the words you hear: Listening to the tone of voice and observing the body language of the communicator gives the listener a greater understanding of the other party’s perspectives.
- Adjust your language based on your audience: Effective communicators target their message based on who they are speaking to, as a message created for the receiver is well understood.
- Body language has significant impact on communication: This includes not only face-to-face meetings but also video conferencing and telephone conversations. Make sure that you appear accessible by using open body language. This means that you should not cross your arms or keep your fists closed. Have good eye contact with the other person which indicates that you are paying attention.
- Check and cross check your message before you send it: Spell and grammar checkers are useful but they are not fool-proof. Hence, double check what you have written and ensure that your words are communicating the intended message.
- Be crisp and clear: Make sure that you are only talking or writing of one topic or theme at a time. Also, ensure that you do not overwhelm the listener or reader with too much information and focus on the action points.
- Take down notes of every meeting: Relying on memory alone could affect the authenticity of the message. It is also important to send a follow-up email to make sure that your understanding and that of the listener matches.
- Choose the phone over email when the situation demands: When a discussion is needed, a telephonic conversation is important. On the other hand, when a message needs to be communicated, an email is more apt.
- Think before you speak. Do not say the first thoughts that come to your mind. Pause and reconfigure the message, if needed.
- Treat everyone equally: A condescending tone successfully breaks down relationships immediately.
- Maintain a positive attitude: Smiling during face to face and telephone conversations exudes a positivity to which people respond favourably.