Developing communication skills

Developing Communication Skills through Speaking and Listening
by: Joe Dostal
Initiating a conversation is a good first step to develop good communication skills.

Developing effective communication skills, however, cannot be acquired overnight, hence it is called "skill". It needs to be learned, practiced and developed.

For project managers, journalists; public media spokes person, broadcasters and a list of other career professionals, effective communication skills are very important.
By developing your communication skills, you have to learn to speak effectively and listen attentively. These two are the most important skills you have to attain. How to do it, here are the details:


Speaking:

For one to develop good public speaking abilities, speaking skills have to be learned, practiced and evaluated over a period of time. The first rule of thumb to be able to speak effectively is planning what to say. What is the main idea of what you are trying to convey? Organize your thoughts so they lead to the main idea of the message you are trying to send across. Once you have arrived at your main idea, take a short brief and ask your audience if they are following you. By doing so, you know if you are off tangent on what you are saying or still on the right path. Ask your listeners if they understood what you were saying so that you are both on the right page. Make sure you keep your conversation focused and direct to the point.

Another point, when developing your communicaion skills,is to take note of the style you use when speaking and expressing yourself. The speaking style you use has a large impact on the audience you are speaking to especially if you want to be convincing. When speaking, strive to be warm and enthusiastic. Doing this, your audience will be responsive and perfect interaction can be formed.

It is normal to expect questions during a conversation and always be prepared to answer them. When answering, take your time by paraphrasing the question to be sure you are certain of what it means. In situations where you do not know the answer to the question, do not make up an answer, instead, say you do not know the answer.

Listening:

The second part of learning communication skills is to strive to be an effective listener by listening attentively to what the speaker is saying. To be an effective listener, you should be able to hear the words as the speaker communicates so that you can understand the entire message. Effective listening in developing communication skills is by looking at the speaker when he is communicating, maintain eye contact and nod during brief pauses. Watch the speaker's facial expression to be able to completely understand the tone of the message he is conveying.

Show open attitude to the speaker through body language and attentiveness. To be an effective listener, you must be composed when relating with the speaker. In this way, they feel more accepted when they are with you. Don't fidget or frown when looking at the speaker because he is trying to get a response from you, so giving a negative attitude makes him feel defensive, insecure and not confident.

As part of developing good communication skills, it is important to ask questions during a conversation. When asking questions, use open ended questions so that it is easier for the listener to know how to answer your questions. With all the tips given, it is obvious for us to see that communication skills is not just innate, it needs to be developed and practiced.




How to use Good Communication Skills in Student Organizations.
from: Joe Dostal




As a student, you often wonder why you have to take communication and public speaking classes, but in the real sense, such classes are meant to teach us how to develop our communication skills. These classes prepare you in real life scenarios where you interact with professors, students, departments head, the outside world, and different types of people in different setting and situation.



One instance where you need to have a good communication skill is when you are running for college election in the students' organization. Student are required to elect their leaders who will effectively manage the who student body to achieve the goals and objectives they have set. Student representatives formed a party and held election campaigns. Here, the nominated students must posses an excellent public speaking.



Your appointment as a student leader is one where you have to practice and develop your communication skills. As a nominee for any position, you may be invited to give speeches on how you would lead the organization, your plans and how you will carry them out effectively. This will require you to speak to a large number of students.



Preparing for your speech is one of the better ways to improve or present yourself that you have a good communication skill. To do this, you can make a rough draft of what you plan to say. Write it down on a sheet of paper with short headings.



Getting on the stage, compose yourself and smile to the public, organize your thoughts in your mind, so that you convey your message properly. Since it is a campaign, you would have to lay down all your plans to influence and attract good audience, you have to be very confident and enthusiastic about the elections.



Send your message across the whole audience in a clear, concise and understandable voice tone. It is the nature of the speaker to be very firm and decisive in his wants and the message he wants to convey. This should be your speaking style. Speak in such a way that you must let your audience know your point and show to them that you are determined to implement changes and give a good impression that you can be an effective leader.


Making friends is another story. ..



When making friends and mingling with other students in social gatherings, it is effective that you have good communication skills, this provides a good way for you to meet people and establish contacts. As part of a student's life, communication skills go a long way because networking is highly important. Meeting different people in colleges exposes the student to different life styles which enables him to network freely.



Another instance where communication skills can be developed in a student life is the typical classroom. In lectures, the professor connects with the students. It is your job then to listener and be attentive in giving your full attention to the professor. This way, you can expect a healthy interaction with your professor the moment he solicits for your opinion or views.



To stimulate effective communication skills between you and your professor, look at him and maintain eye contact, make nods when he is trying to get your response on the discussion such as when he says, "You get me?" , ask open ended questions when you do not understand what he is saying.