verbal communication skills

verbal communication skills

Enhancing Verbal Communication Skills: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Introduction to Verbal Communication

The rights and responsibilities of those who engage in communication have been discussed since the Classical Era in various philosophical accounts. Communication plays a crucial role in establishing collective identity, personal meaning presentation, cultural expressions, and social relationships. Thus, both personal and individual characteristics are reflected in the language and are modulated by the context in which communication is achieved. The effective management of feelings, thoughts, concerns, and emotions is a question of personal and relational quality. These not only foster self-insight, play a key role in guiding the behavior of individuals, but also reinforce and enhance the quality of the social relationships that result. The aim of this chapter is to discuss some recent findings on the verbal initiations, e.g. communication, planned in two key sections.

Communication is a critical life skill that virtually underpins everything that people within today’s society involve themselves. Effective communication can bring about and maintain interpersonal relationships in a plethora of successful fields, e.g. within personal relationships – marriage, teaching, marketing, and politics, etc., and it is crucial not to underestimate the highly positive impact it has on human beings. Clearly, it is necessary to employ numerous communication channels that each have a vital role to play in the development and maintenance of healthy, cohesive relationships. So, verbal communication skills are an integral part of face-to-face communication and come into play for both the speaker and the receiver. In addition, anyone can assess a person’s state of mind, emotional condition, characterization attributes from the speech he uses, or deduce personality attributes from the speech patterns employed in his language. Indeed, language can be used to project a particular self-image and at the same time provide a means of protecting private notions.

2. The Importance of Verbal Communication Skills

Listening well is also a major component of being a good communicator. Having eye contact, responding appropriately, and assisting the other person in feeling free to express their views, whether they are similar to yours or different, all help improve communication skills. We spend the majority of our time sending and receiving messages and frequently think about ourselves as excellent communicators. Yet, many of us also have communication problems. They are a fact of life in today’s diverse workforce. They result from such varied factors as emotions, distractions, strong feelings (either our own or someone else’s), not focusing on the intended message, and an inability to sustain active listening.

Improved verbal communication skills are an important benefit of attending any college program, regardless of the major or minor one chooses. What’s more, great communicators are often viewed as leaders because they smile, make eye contact with others, enunciate well, and exhibit a wide variety of social skills. Managers exist in any field, not just in business. Therefore, good communication skills are also important for professional success, as people are often judged by their ability to express themselves and their ideas, especially in job interviews, and judged by how well they listen to others and how clearly they understand and follow directions and other communication.

3. Strategies for Improving Verbal Communication Skills

Language and style can be specifically chosen to impact the way a message is received. An “us versus them” mentality, for example, can be formed by using words such as “our” and “they,” while “our” and “others” might express an alternative point of view while de-emphasizing divisiveness. Similarly, if an appeal to authority is required, one can use an indicative tone such as “I know” or “I feel” as opposed to the “it seems” or “don’t you think” tones that imply uncertainty and equivocation. It is also helpful to be concise, simple, and direct and to avoid pleonasms, tautologies, and disfluencies. The following lists and discussions of skills can help clarify some of the mechanisms involved in the remaining steps of the verbal communication process: encoding/decoding and response.

There are many opportunities and methods for improving your verbal communication skills, and it is helpful to have a clear understanding of what those skills are and what is involved in the actual communication process. Mastering these skills can be challenging and deeply rewarding, and can greatly enhance your personal performance in a variety of human endeavors. This section will help you to identify the following verbal communication skills, as well as some opportunities and methods for improving each skill: speaking, listening, intercultural communication.

4. Overcoming Common Challenges in Verbal Communication

An excellent foundation should be laid from the first day of class to help prepare students to become effective communicators. Teachers are the guides that shepherd students through the practice of verbal communication processes during their higher education experience. They provide the framework by which students will carry out these practices within the complexities of the communication model. Both the student and teacher should appreciate the level of difficulty being faced as there are distinct characteristics with which students must contend. If communicators have a clear understanding of the difficulty of verbal communication, then they will be better able to navigate the steps and become more comfortable with efforts to improve their skill level. Upon close examination of the list, readers likely draw from recollections of discussions with family, friends, and colleagues, and recollect painful memories that directly relate to issues being faced by students while in class. The purpose of studying or practicing communication is to help prepare students for the opportunities and challenges faced in the real world. It is important to acquire a well-rounded view of communication, embrace the richness, complexity, and variety of people and interaction styles. Through understanding, students are likely to exhibit empathy and sensitivity to the feelings of others. This chapter includes tips for handling challenging or difficult conversations with colleagues, family, and friends.

Despite their best efforts, many communicators face barriers to effective communication. While some may possess strong verbal communication skills, certain aspects of their personality might hinder their ability to convey their message in an effective or meaningful manner. This chapter aims to provide a distinction between key concerns and make a more meaningful association of verbal communication skills in our discussion of overcoming common communication challenges. Topics such as communication apprehension, public speaking anxiety, listening styles, emotional intelligence, and assertive versus aggressive behavior, and how these difficulties pose challenges for achieving persuasion and enhancing rapport during interviews and group interaction, are associated with this discussion. Upon completion of this chapter, readers should be able to identify the key elements of emotional intelligence and improve listening behavior.

5. Advanced Techniques for Mastering Verbal Communication

The great innovator, Samuel Webster, once said, “Each time you communicate, you are unique. No one is exactly like you with your background, your education, your values, and your purpose.” Since we value uniqueness, we try to be like other people who succeed. We do not want to take risks. We usually say what is not different, and consequently, it is not noticed. The farther we can move from being like everyone else, the more growth and attention we will achieve. The more you communicate in your own distinct style, which is unique, the better. The best technique to amaze your listeners and obtain their rapt attention is to prepare yourself. Gather the information you need. Learn as much as you can about your expected audience. Find out what they know, what they want to learn, and what methods motivate them. If possible, talk to an individual expected to be there, learn something about his or her background, and apply this knowledge to your oral communication endeavor.

Stand out. Be noticed. Capture your audience’s attention and keep it!

Attributed to my mentor, Jim Rohn, language is about guiding and showing the reader how to do something. Who, when provided with concrete steps, can replicate the success in their own life, business, or profession? The distinguished activity of providing written material where you teach, persuade, or advise is simply a method whereby language is the tool. This defined technique remains constant in all teaching, public speaking, writing, science-based presentations, and other oral situations. The real issue is communicating verbal messages in such a manner as to achieve your desired purpose and obtain your desired result. The purpose may be to teach, elicit feelings, describe, inform, persuade, or any combination of these. The desired result should be the assimilation of your message, assuming your message is significant, relevant, and interesting to the listener.

Write what you want to say. Say it with style and flair.