Communication with others is an essential element of success. Being able to effectively communicate with family, friends, peers, and colleagues will always play to your advantage. When meeting new people, it is vital to create a great first impression. The aspects and importance of a first impression can probably be discussed for hours, but for now let’s examine three basic methods of strong communication skills.
Confident Posture
Nonverbal communication is critical in getting your message across. Some might even state that body language is more revealing about a person than verbal language. In order for people to listen to you and continue an interaction with you, you must demonstrate confident body language. The easiest way to do this is by staying mindful of your posture and the way that you carry yourself in a given space.
When standing in front of someone, pull your shoulders back and stand-up straight. Point your chin up and stand and walk with confidence. When sitting across from another person, do not slouch or arch your back. Even if you are uncomfortable in an environment, show others that you are able to fill and command your personal space.
Speaking Clearly
If you are talking to someone, speak clearly so that person understands. Use proper grammar and avoid foul language and slang terms. Find a healthy speaking volume so that you can be heard, but don’t scream. With these things in mind, try not to get overly formal as this may intimidate or confuse others.
Making sure that your message is clear and understandable will make communication so much simpler. People will respect what you have to say and they will find it easy to listen. Steer clear of complex terms and industry jargon that only certain folks will be able to grasp. You might think that you sound intelligent because you know fancy terms related to mechanical engineering, but you may actually just be coming across as arrogant and confusing.
Eye Contact
I saved this one for last because I think that it might be the most important part of communication. A very successful man once told me that eye contact was one of his strongest tools in negotiating deals. In Western Culture, maintaining eye contact is viewed as confident and respectable. Use this to your advantage and fix your eye contact with another person as best as possible.
When you approach a point of decision in communication, use eye contact to help persuade the other person. That person may feel more inclined to agree with or listen to you. He or she will most definitely develop a respect for you. With that in mind, don’t turn your next elevator pitch into a staring contest. There is definitely a threshold to which strong eye contact can become disturbing. Use eye contact to establish strength, but be careful to not make people uncomfortable.
Overall, there are many different methods for practicing strong communication. Be sure to work on developing strong listening skills as well. These are just a few skills that you can develop to help you to better influence people. Try building these skills the next time you go to work or spend time with friends. That way, when you meet new people you can give them great first impressions.
What are some other tips that you have for better communication skills? Feel free to share in the comments!
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