Being a good communicator can help you to sell products and services to a potential client or it can help you work better with your colleagues.
However, being a good communicator does not always come naturally to everyone. Don’t worry, there are ways to improve your communication skills.
In this guide, we are going to walk you through the things you need to do so you know how to be a better communicator.
Why Is It Important To Be A Good Communicator?
Having good communication skills is vital for being able to have effective interactions with people.
Communication is how we notify people of important information, such as opportunities, risks, and challenges that they might encounter.
If you are not a good communicator it can hinder your chances of progressing in your career. Being a good communicator will help you when you need to work with others in the same career as you.
If your chosen career requires you to develop relationships with clients, then being able to communicate with them efficiently will allow you to progress and excel in that role
Essentially, being able to be a good communicator means that there is less of a chance of you making mistakes through misunderstandings and it increases your chances of being offered better opportunities.
Ways To Be A Better Communicator
So to help you become a better communicator, here are things you should do and be aware of.
Listen
The first thing you need to do to help you become a better communicator is to improve your listening skills. Listening is one of the most important skills to have in order to be a good communicator.
People often find it difficult to find the words that will help them state their point, especially if they are being interrupted. By listening to what someone has to say, you can actually help them get their point across.
Also listening is important because if you are not listening to someone talk then you’ll struggle to find a way to respond to them appropriately.
Communication is partly about how you respond to others, but the only way you can do that is if you are actively listening to them.
Observe Body Language
Communication isn’t just about saying the right things, it is also about being able to read people so you can respond appropriately. One thing that can help you with your communication skills is being able to read body language.
When you are having a conversation with someone be aware of their body language as this can give you an insight into what they are thinking and feeling.
For example, when you are talking, is the other person looking at you or are they looking around the room? Where someone is looking during a conversation can help you to find out if they are listening to you.
Also, be aware of your own body language. Body language is a form of nonverbal communication.
If you are crossing your arms when someone is talking to you then it can give the impression that you are not engaged or are not being open in the conversation.
To be a better communicator, make sure your body language shows that you are listening and are engaged. You can do this by keeping eye contact with the person talking and smiling at them.
Be Prepared To Adapt
A good communicator is able to adapt to the situation they are in and the person they are communicating with.
In order to be a good communicator it is also better to personalize your interactions depending on the relationship you have with the person you are communicating with.
For example, when you are communicating with someone you have an established relationship with it might be appropriate to make jokes and speak to them in a slightly more informal way.
However, if you are communicating with someone who is in a superior position, you need to be respectful and clear.
Another example of being able to adapt to the situation is when working with an audience that might not know much about what you are communicating about.
In this instance, you might need to explain things to them clearly and avoid using terminology that they would not know.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions
There are times when you might not understand what someone is trying to say to you.
When that happens it is important to ask questions when there is an appropriate opening. It is best to wait until they have finished speaking before asking your questions.
Not only can asking questions help you to understand their point but it also shows that you were listening to them.
Reflect On Your Interactions
One way to improve your communication skills and learn how to be a better communicator is to reflect on the interactions you’ve had. By reflecting on your interactions, you can find areas that need improvement and create goals to help you improve.
Find The Meaning Of Your Message
All forms of communication usually have a message. In order to communicate effectively, you need to find the message you are trying to communicate.
Ask yourself questions such as what the purpose of your communication with that person is. Try to think about what you are trying to achieve by communicating with that person.
Conclusion
Becoming a better communicator is vital for being successful in your career. There are many things you can do in order to improve your communication skills.
However, starting with listening to others and reflecting on your interactions can help you to see what areas you need to improve on.
We hope that this guide has helped you learn how to be a better communicator. Please share this guide with others who might be interested. Thank you for reading!
Hi, my name is Justin Shaw, I started my career with a Masters in Computer Science but found writing to be my forte'.
I'm now the Principal Tech writer for GshiftLabs.com as well as a few other well known publications. I help make the complex world of Tech-Jargon easy to understand.
