Effective Communication

Effective Communication 

by Nishtha Chugh

There is a difference between a good speaker and an effective one. A good speaker knows the subject well and impresses the listeners with her/his knowledge coupled with correct voice modulation; whereas an effective speaker is someone who is confident, possesses the power to captivate the audience and enhances the delivering message which makes her/him stand out. Therefore, effective speaking is fundamental not only to leaders but anyone who wants people to listen to them. Speaking effectively is not an inborn skill and can be acquired by carefully learning the art.

Here are top 5 tips for communicating effectively:

1. Listening is the key

One of the first steps to effective communication is to listen. Listening isn’t just about taking on board what the other person is saying; it is about understanding them. Through effective listening, you can determine how the other person thinks and reacts to certain circumstances, guiding you to adjust your style to better engage with them.

2. Watch Your Body Language

Every movement you make is a form of communication. The physical signals you instinctively make are picked up by the audience and whether you know it or not, affect the way they receive what you are saying (or how you are listening). This can cause confusion and possibly reduce the impact of the message you are trying to convey.

Try to think of your toes or adopt a power pose if you want to increase your confidence in front of large audiences. Also, learn how to read the body language of other people so you can respond appropriately.

3. Get rid of Unnecessary Distractions

Whether it is your phone, the PowerPoint presentation or the background noise – external stimulations are distracting when you are trying to deliver a message. They will reduce the effectiveness of your message so limit their use to the essential when communicating with others.

4. Be Firm not Aggressive

Watching your tone is of particular importance. While you will need to be assertive at times, there is a fine line between being assertive and being aggressive. Avoid crossing that line at all costs as the latter will only alienate your audience and is not productive. Practice being confident and direct while portraying a calm, cooperative tone.

5. Communicate With Stories

Another way to improve how your communications are received and understood by employees is to tell a story. Audiences, whoever they may be, are more receptive to narratives than to bland instructions. People listen to stories, become emotionally engaged and remember them well. Think carefully about the story you choose to tell to illustrate the point you wish to make, and ensure it is relevant to your target audience, so that they can individualize the content, thereby understanding ‘what this means for me.