Effective Communication: 6 Ways to Improve Communication Skills
|
Posted By: Nicole Rankine on January 24, 2022 Developing better communication habits requires several important skills that work in tandem with each other. Some of these skills involve the way you speak or hold your body, and others are more emotionally based interpersonal skills. Here are 4 Skills That Are Necessary for Effective Communication: 1. Listening skills: Clear communication starts with active listening. If you’re just focused on how, you are expressing yourself, chances are you are not listening or reacting to what others are bringing to the table. An effective communicator uses a variety of listening styles. They pay close attention to what’s being said and make others feel heard and considered. 2. Empathy: Being able to understand the feelings of those around you is an integral part of being an effective communicator. Empathizing means both understanding and relating to someone else’s feelings. Having high emotional intelligence and demonstrating an ability to empathize builds rapport between you and others and increases your ability to communicate. 3. Nonverbal communication skills: In addition to verbal messages, effective communication relies on nonverbal cues. Developing an awareness of your body language and tone of voice will improve your messaging and presentation skills. 4. Teamwork: The ability to actively engage in team-building and consistently collaborate with coworkers is an important part of building your business communication skills. The more you build strong relationships and rapport with others in the workplace, the more effectively you’ll be able to communicate with them. Learning effective communication skills is a straightforward process that allows you to express yourself and improve both your personal and professional relationships. Knowing how to listen well and communicate clearly will help you express yourself in job interviews, business meetings, and in your personal life as well. How to Improve Your Communication Skills If you feel like you lack the basic skills required for good communication, there are several reliable ways to improve. Here are a few tips for developing your communication skills: 1. Practice active listening. Effective communicators are always good listeners. Active listening means engaging with what people say by giving affirmative replies and asking follow-up questions to show that you are paying attention. 2. Focus on nonverbal communication. Mastering nonverbal cues and nonverbal signals can help prevent miscommunication and signal interest to those around you. Pay attention to your facial expressions and body language when you are speaking with someone in a professional setting. Your nonverbal cues affect the first impression you make on someone. Maintaining eye contact, limiting hand gestures, and having good posture go a long way when meeting someone for the first time. 3. Manage your own emotions. For the sake of clear communication and your wellbeing, it’s important to manage your emotions and express them appropriately in context. Allowing strong emotions to unnecessarily creep into a professional setting can lead to poor communication and conflict. 4. Ask for feedback. There’s no shame in asking for honest feedback on your communication skills from colleagues. Asking your peers or subordinates for their advice on improving your communication skills can help you better understand how you are coming across in your work environment. Cultivate a willingness to seek out other points of view and forge better relationships with your coworkers. 5. Practice public speaking. Public speaking may sound daunting, but there’s no better way to develop good communication skills than by seeking out public speaking opportunities. Great communicators can clearly articulate their feelings, whether they’re speaking to a large group or talking face-to-face to one other person. Regularly speaking in front of a group will magnify your strengths and weaknesses and force you to develop great communication habits. 6. Develop a filter. Effective communicators generally have highly developed social skills and can modulate how they express their thoughts and feelings to those around them. Know what’s appropriate to express in different interpersonal contexts. Developing a filter will help supplement other communication techniques and ensure that you maintain a certain level of decorum and avoid conflict in the workplace. LEARN MORE Be sure to join us THIS Saturday, January 22nd at 12 pm EST! Grab your lunch and come network and learn some more about how you can improve your communication skills. It's not too late to share with a friend! Don't come alone. Share with others! See you there! Register TODAY and Share with a friend! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/237820837527 Dr. Nic If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Nicole Rankine
Professor, GCU University of Georgia class of 2000 Member Since July 2021 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
Twins and individuality: Understanding identity beyond genetic similarityA photo of two twins standing side by side, expressing unity and individuality.
Twins have always fascinated the world. Across cultures, people often describe them as “one,” believing they share ...more
Joel Savage • 71 Views • August 22nd, 2026 |
 |
George William Gordon: The Martyr who challenged colonial injusticeAn illustration of the George William Gordon monument in Jamaica.
Many things inspire writers, and it is always fascinating when they share the source of that inspiration. For me, music has lo ...more
Joel Savage • 86 Views • August 21st, 2026 |
 |
Kromantse to Jamaica: The untold Akan legacy behind the Coromantee revoltsAn illustration of Akan Coromantee ancestors from Kromantse, Ghana, transported to Jamaica, showing their cultural resilience and role in Maroon resistance.
The history of Kromantse, a coastal vi ...more
Joel Savage • 110 Views • August 20th, 2026 |
 |
Why Columbus never discovered Jamaica: The Arawak truth uncoveredA photo of Indigenous Arawak people in pre‑Columbian Jamaica, surrounded by tropical landscape, symbolizing truth before Columbus’s arrival.
History often celebrates Christopher Columbus ...more
Joel Savage • 121 Views • August 19th, 2026 |
 |
Why the world must treat Ebola seriously: A call for global health vigilanceA health worker in protective gear standing calmly near an isolation area, ensuring global vigilance toward Ebola outbreaks.
A call for calm, serious questions about Ebola’s re‑emergence
...more
Joel Savage • 149 Views • August 18th, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 73,196,104 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 122,045 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 80,566 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
Hija Chang • 64,078 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
