improve communication skills

improve communication skills

The Importance and Development of Communication Skills

1. Introduction to Communication Skills

To be able to learn and develop these important communication skills, the student needs to have opportunities to engage in, reflect on, and practice varied forms of communication both in and outside of the classroom. Student-learning experiences are at the core of the curriculum currently put forward. Research on communication within educational settings has grown steadily in the last decade and has addressed several issues related to diverse aspects of teaching. Results clearly indicate that good communication between teacher and student is related to improved student learning. However, the communication skills addressed in these studies have been linked to the teacher, and there has been little consideration of the importance of student communication skills development during their formal academic life.

Communication skills are an essential and integral part of life. In all life situations, individuals are required to communicate in order to solve problems or resolve conflicts, in social networks, in academics, within the family, in the workplace, in any social setting, or during leisure time. In learning and educational settings, communication is a principal tool in creating a positive and interactive culture. The modeling of good communication skills is critical as these are a set of skills that the individual will take forward into their future work and personal lives.

2. Types and Components of Communication Skills

Good communication involves a complex process and depending on how it is done, it will enable understanding, support, empathy, and effective problem-solving or conflict resolution. On the other hand, poor communication may lead to misunderstandings, fights, frustration, lack of support and closeness. Many people believe that having good communication skills is only important in establishing intimate relationships. Good communication, however, relates to all relationships, whether social, vocational, or familiar, resulting in life-long life satisfaction. Good communication skills make it possible to recognize that “no” also has value. It is important to understand that personal values must be respected and that consenting to what we do not consider morally correct can lead to frustration, anxiety, fear, and other symptoms specific to unmet personal needs. Knowing how to say no allows us to mark personal boundaries, supports inner balance and peace. The act of saying no must always be balanced with adequate self-expression skills and considerate of the positions of others.

Communication or verbal communication skills are the skills by which we establish a relationship with a person or another group of people. It is the way we express our thoughts, feelings, and opinions. Essentially, those “tools” that we use to take what we think and feel out. We create messages through different means that can be subtle (non-verbal) or verbal (considering any form of written or spoken language as such). We can also think of good verbal communication as the ability to express ourselves clearly, rationally, and assertively. In addition, it is extremely important to understand and draw up limits that allow us to value and respect the position and feelings of the other, even if our position is not consistent with the counterpart’s opinion. After all, each person has the right to feel and think the way they want and need. Communication skills mean having the ability to effectively communicate with words and act as a resource when facing the demands and problems presented to us throughout our lives.

3. The Benefits of Effective Communication Skills

All professionals including business managers are understood to be natural ‘teachers’, that is they survive by their capacity to learn and teach. Therefore, we excel in polite listening. The fascination of receiving new information from the speaker is perceived in the eager light in the question asker’s eyes and the unprejudiced listening of their voices. The demand for communication skills training in all professions is greater than ever. Nowadays, our society is expected to understand and adjust to emotional problems, physical limitations, and mental blocks, to lead a fulfilled life. These expectations are heavy to carry, and finding, or even being a good listener often helps. We remember not those who spoke at a graduation function or institution opening, but those who made it more of a personal journey. That is, those who really sought to engage us in reflective conversations about the role of the learning organization.

There are, of course, other reasons for developing excellent communication skills beyond acquiring more effective control over subsequent life events. It is often the simple pleasure of sustained conversations. The utility of loving listening is enough to place communication skills high on most professional training agendas. After all, great communication skills are linked to the possession of qualities traditionally associated with accepting that no one is born the ‘perfect’ teacher. In fact, teaching is a delicate interplay of personality, and the acquisition of teaching skills is best achieved through actively promoting and practicing many aspects of communication. This motivation defines the life and style of the successful teacher irrespective of whether they are sport, humanities, or science teachers.

4. Strategies for Developing and Enhancing Communication Skills

5th strategy: Managing negative emotions and creating openness By involving yourself in collaborative situations and establishing positive ground rules, you invariably create a situation where openness becomes achievable. The most successful team members are those who conscientiously avoid discussing past issues and past challenges. They focus on improving the future in productive and meaningful ways, which can help build positive communication paths within the team. In addition, team members are consciously aware of negative emotions and are quick to withdraw from the negative situation.

4th strategy: Nonverbal communication While conveying your message, you must be aware of not only your own verbal communication but also your nonverbal communication. This includes facial expressions, body movements and gestures, and eye contact. Research from the University of California at Los Angeles suggests that only 7 percent of a message is conveyed through words. The rest is expressed through one’s body language, tone, and voice.

3rd strategy: Clarifying and encouraging communication When you are not sure of the speaker’s message, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. Try to understand the message and ensure that you receive the exact thoughts the speaker is trying to communicate. Take an active role in lending your support and offering encouragement to the speaker throughout conversations.

2nd strategy: Actively listening to others Listening is often underdeveloped and underused by most people. Active listening is more than simply hearing and interpreting – it’s an active process that uses all of your senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) and is totally committed to the speaker. Active listening includes assimilating and assessing the speaker’s message and providing your own feedback to the individual. By engaging in this type of listening, you show concern and empathy while learning about verbal and unspoken communications.

1st strategy: Awareness and acceptance of self The cycle of excellence in collaboration begins with self-awareness. This step involves recognizing how your own communication style may hinder successful collaboration. Heightened self-awareness is essential in discovering which collaborative behaviors may be difficult or awkward for you and for acknowledging your resistance to accept and manage these behaviors.