Communication skills are abilities that allow you to clearly convey ideas, whether it be through writing, talking, or signing. They’re usually soft skills, but some are considered hard skills (like public speaking or fluency in a second language).
No matter your age, background, or experience, effective communication is a skill you can learn. The greatest leaders of all time are also fantastic communicators and orators. In fact, communications is one of the most popular college degrees today; people recognize the value of a truly efficient communicator. With a little self-confidence and knowledge of the basics, you’ll be able to get your point across in no time.Some examples include communicating ideas, feelings or what’s happening around you. Communication skills involve listening, speaking, observing and empathizing.
Main Types of Communication Skills are:
Written Communication:
The Written Communication refers to the process of conveying a message through the written symbols. In other words, any message exchanged between two or more persons that make use of written words is called as written communication.
It is the most common and effective mode of business communication. In any organization, the electronic mails, memos, reports, documents, letters, journals, job descriptions, employee manuals, etc. are some of the commonly used forms of written communication.
Verbal communication:
Verbal communication is any communication that uses words to share information with others. These words may be both spoken and written.Communication is a two-way process.
Effective verbal communication skills include more than just talking. Verbal communication encompasses both how you deliver messages and how you receive them. Communication is a soft skill, and it’s one that is important to every employer.
Workers who can convey information clearly and effectively are highly valued by employers.
There are a number of tools and techniques that you can use to improve the effectiveness of your verbal communication. These include reinforcement, reflection, clarification, and questioning.
Non-verbal communication/Skills:
Non-verbal communication includes facial expressions, the tone and pitch of the voice, gestures displayed through body language (kinesics) and the physical distance between the communicators.
These non-verbal signals can give clues and additional information and meaning over and above spoken (verbal) communication. Indeed, some estimates suggest that around 70 to 80% of communication is non-verbal!
Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills:
Hard skills are specific abilities and know-how (e.g., Photoshop, cash register).
Soft skills are self-developed, life-learned attributes (e.g., social skills, adaptability).
Combined, these make up a skill set, which is a job seeker’s range of skills and abilities.
Communication skills fall under the soft skills.
Similarly, there are communication skills for the workplace, and there are great ones that are highly-prized at the office and worth including in your resume.
List of communication skills that are most important in today’s workforce:
1. Listening:
Being a good listener is a top way to be a good communicator.
You can launch a diatribe at your cat about who won the election, and the cat will hearyou. That’s not listening. Listening is not just hearing something; it must be accurately received and interpreted for it to have been done effectively.
A bad listener makes for a bad manager or employee. They won’t be able to comprehend what’s being asked of them, much less get it done.
2. Reflection:
Reflection is when you stop and consider incoming communication, rather than merely comprehending it.
You can have a talk show playing in the car during your morning drive, but is it just background noise or are you actively paying attention.
When people communicate with you, they don’t want to talk to a wall (otherwise, they could just talk to a wall). They not only want you to hear what they’re saying, but understand it, chew on it, turn it over in your head.
3. Openness & Friendliness:
A friendly tone, an upbeat and polite attitude, and a general air of openness all play an outsize role in fostering communication.
See, this open air creates rapport and makes people feel comfortable when thinking about approaching you.
4. Confidence & Honesty:
Confidence and honesty in your communication make all the difference. People shouldn’t just believe in what you’re saying, they should believe that you believe what you’re saying.
Let’s say you’re a manager. You’re trying to assure your team layoffs won’t happen. Employees will believe you if you back it up with a confident attitude, and if they can feel that you mean it (well, data and a renewed contract would help!).
5. An Open Mind, Respect & Empathy:
Good communicators enter conversations with an open mind while displaying empathy and respecting the person they speak with, as well as their message.
Don’t immediately dismiss someone, their opinions, their ideas, or their solutions simply because you don’t believe in them, their point of view, or their message.
6. Ability to Give Constructive Feedback
Communication is a two-way street, so being able to give constructive feedback is just as important as accepting it gracefully.
As a member of a team, and especially if you’re in management, you want to give feedback that recognizes the work and contributions of others.
Summary:
If you want to work on developing your communication skills, practice making eye contact and speaking slowly and clearly whenever you talk to someone. Try practicing in front of a mirror, and take breaks to look up words you don’t know in a dictionary. You can also watch videos of public speakers and pay attention to how they animate their voice so they don’t sound monotone. For more ways to improve your communication skills, like using hand gestures and body language, scroll down!.
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