Ineffective communication can lead to a number of problems. It can break relationships, hurt our chances of getting hired and even get us fired. Good communication, on the other hand, can help improve our lives. It allows us to build healthy relationships at home and at work. It helps us make great first impressions at an interview or when meeting new people.
Work on your listening skills
Listening is so important! If you don’t take time to actively listen to others, you can’t really have a conversation. It takes practice, but try to be mindful in your conversations. Focus on not trying to monopolize the conversation, but rather, take turns.
When the other person is speaking, pay attention. Try to keep your brain from wandering to your phone or your to-do list. Ask questions to understand what the other person is saying. Be careful not to interrupt the person you’re speaking with. Let them finish before you jump in.
Be aware of nonverbal cues
Pay attention to your posture, eye contact and the expressions you make. Be careful that your facial expressions align with what you want to convey. For example, if someone is telling you a sad story, you probably want to show that you’re sympathetic. If your expression doesn’t align with the conversation, it may appear that you are either not listening or not concerned.
Eye contact is another thing to keep in mind. When you’re speaking or listening, you should make eye contact with others involved in the conversation. That doesn’t mean staring them down but rather aiming to keep eye contact for 4 to 5 seconds at a time.
Avoid rambling
Try to get to the point of your story without going off on too many tangents. People have a hard time paying attention if you go off-topic. Try to think through what you want to say and then say it, so you don’t lose your audience. When you avoid rambling, you make for a better listener also because it prevents you from dominating the conversation.
Keep your emotions in check
Don’t let your emotions take over the conversation. Often, our emotions can lead us to say things we regret or use a tone we probably shouldn’t. When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed by emotion, consider taking a step back so you can collect your thoughts and respond with a calm demeanor.
These are just a few tips to improve your communication skills and build stronger relationships.