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Effective Communication: The Key to Building Strong Connections

• Categories: Connection Effective Communication

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Words: 791 |

Published: Sep 12, 2023

Words: 791 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

The importance of effective communication, key elements of effective communication, barriers to effective communication, strategies for improving communication, 1. building relationships:, 2. resolving conflicts:, 3. achieving goals:, 4. personal development:, 5. success in the workplace:, 1. clarity:, 2. active listening:, 3. empathy:, 4. nonverbal communication:, 5. respect:, 1. misunderstandings:, 2. lack of active listening:, 3. emotional barriers:, 4. assumptions and stereotypes:, 5. lack of feedback:, 1. practice active listening:, 2. foster empathy:, 3. be mindful of nonverbal cues:, 4. seek feedback:, 5. adapt to your audience: h3>, 6. practice constructive communication:, 7. educate yourself:.

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Essay on Importance of Communication for Students and Children

500+ words essay on importance of communication:.

Communication is one of the important tools that aid us to connect with people. Either you are a student or a working professional, good communication is something that will connect you far ahead. Proper communication can help you to solve a number of issues and resolve problems. This is the reason that one must know how to communicate well. The skills of communication essential to be developed so that you are able to interact with people. And able to share your thoughts and reach out to them. All this needs the correct guidance and self-analysis as well.

Meaning of Communication

The word communication is basically a process of interaction with the people and their environment . Through such type of interactions, two or more individuals influence the ideas, beliefs, and attitudes of each other.

Such interactions happen through the exchange of information through words, gestures, signs, symbols, and expressions. In organizations, communication is an endless process of giving and receiving information and to build social relationships.

Importance of Communication

Communication is not merely essential but the need of the hour. It allows you to get the trust of the people and at the same time carry better opportunities before you. Some important points are as follows –

Help to Build Relationships 

No matter either you are studying or working, communication can aid you to build a relationship with the people. If you are studying you communicate with classmates and teachers to build a relationship with them. Likewise in offices and organizations too, you make relationships with the staff, your boss and other people around.

Improve the Working Environment 

There are a number of issues which can be handled through the right and effective communication. Even planning needs communication both written as well as verbal. Hence it is essential to be good in them so as to fill in the communication gap.

Foster strong team

Communication helps to build a strong team environment in the office and other places. Any work which requires to be done in a team. It is only possible if the head communicates everything well and in the right direction.

Find the right solutions

Through communication, anyone can find solutions to even serious problems. When we talk, we get ideas from people that aid us to solve the issues. This is where communication comes into play. Powerful communication is the strength of any organization and can help it in many ways.

Earns more respect

If your communication skills are admirable, people will love and give you respect. If there is any problem, you will be the first person to be contacted. Thus it will increase your importance. Hence you can say that communications skills can make a big change to your reputation in society.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Don’t Go Overboard With Your Point

The conversation is about to express your thoughts. And to let the other person know what you feel. It is not mean to prove that your point is correct and the other person is wrong. Don’t Overboard other With Your Point.

Watch Your Words

Before you say something to Watch Your Words. At times, out of anger or anxiousness, we say somethings that we must not say. Whenever you are in a professional meeting or in some formal place, where there is a necessity of communicating about your product or work then it is advised to practice the same beforehand

Communication is the greatest importance. It is important to sharing out one’s thoughts and feelings to live a fuller and happier life. The more we communicate the less we suffer and the better we feel about everything around. However, it is all the more necessary to learn the art of effective communication to put across ones point well.

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Essay on Communication in 100, 200 and 300 Words: The Essence of Survival

• Updated on  
• Oct 20, 2023

Do you know how important it is to communicate with others? Communication is the primary means through which individuals share information, ideas and thoughts. Communication fosters strong relationships. In this essence, writing an essay on communication becomes important where you highlight the importance of communication, how it affects our everyday lives and what skills are required to become a communication professional . Let’s explore all these questions with some essays on communication.

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay on Communication in 100 Words
• 2 Essay on Communication in 200 Words
• 3 Essay on Communication in 300 Words

Also Read: Essay on Freedom Fighters

Essay on Communication in 100 Words

Communication is the cornerstone of human interaction and is crucial to sharing ideas, thoughts and information. By communicating, people foster relationships, which is vital for personal and professional growth. Effective communication facilitates understanding, resolves conflicts, and promotes collaboration. Whether verbal or nonverbal, it forms the basis of successful teamwork, decision-making, and social integration.

Clear communication is key to a harmonious society, nurturing empathy, and building trust. It encourages brainstorming, creative thinking, and the development of new solutions to complex problems. Its impact is profound, shaping the way we interact, learn, and evolve, making it an indispensable tool for human connection and progress. 

Essay on Communication in 200 Words

What makes communication important is that it serves as the bedrock for exchanging ideas, information, and emotions. It is the essence of human interaction, enabling us to convey our thoughts, beliefs, and intentions to others. Effective communication is essential in every aspect of life, whether in personal relationships, professional environments, or social interactions.

Effective communication can form the basis of trust and mutual understanding and understanding. In personal relationships, communication fosters understanding and empathy, allowing individuals to express their feelings and needs, while also listening to and acknowledging others. 

In the professional realm. Communication allows the smooth functioning of organizations. With communication, individuals can disseminate information, set clear expectations and encourage collaboration among team members. Moreover, effective communication in the workplace enhances productivity and promotes a positive work culture.

The uses and benefits of communication are not limited to just personal and professional realms. In social environments also, communication allows diverse groups to understand each other’s cultures, beliefs, and values, promoting inclusivity and harmony in society.

You can call communication a fundamental pillar of human existence, as it helps in shaping our relationships, work environments, and societal interactions. Its effective practice is essential for nurturing empathy, building trust, and fostering a more connected and understanding world.

Also Read: Essay on the Importance of English Language

Essay on Communication in 300 Words

How crucial communication is can be explained by the fact that it allows the smooth transfer of ideas, thoughts, feelings and information. Communication is the lifeblood of human interaction, playing a crucial role in the exchange of ideas, information, and emotions. It serves as the cornerstone of relationships, both personal and professional, and is integral to the functioning of society as a whole. 

In personal relationships, it is essential to have effective communication for clear understanding and empathy. It allows individuals to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs, while also providing a platform for active listening and mutual support. Strong communication fosters trust and intimacy, enabling individuals to build meaningful and lasting connections with others.

Without communication, you might struggle for organizational success in the professional world. Clear and effective communication within a team or workplace ensures that tasks are understood, roles are defined, and goals are aligned. It enables efficient collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making, contributing to a positive and productive work environment. Moreover, effective communication between employers and employees promotes a sense of transparency and fosters a healthy work culture.

In a broader sense, communication is vital for social integration and cultural understanding. It bridges the gaps between diverse groups, facilitating the exchange of values, beliefs, and perspectives. Effective communication fosters inclusivity and respect for cultural differences, contributing to a more harmonious and cohesive community.

However, communication is not just about sharing information and ideas. It also encompasses nonverbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, all of which play a significant role in conveying meaning and emotions. It is the glue that binds individuals and communities together, fostering understanding, empathy, and collaboration. Practicing clear and empathetic communication is vital for creating a more connected, inclusive, and harmonious world.

Related Articles:

Communication is the process of exchanging ideas, information, thoughts and feelings between individuals or groups through the use of verbal and nonverbal methods.

To write an essay on communication, you need to describe what communication is, what the importance of communication in our lives and how it can help us know different aspects of life.

To become an effective communicator, you must become an active listener and understand what others have to say. You must learn to express your thoughts clearly and concisely. You also need to ensure your body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice perfectly align with your ideas.

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu .

Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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Essay on Effective Communication

Students are often asked to write an essay on Effective Communication in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Effective Communication

What is effective communication.

Effective communication is the process of sharing information in a clear, precise, and understandable way. It’s not just about speaking or writing. It includes listening, understanding, and interpreting too. It’s a two-way process that helps people to express their thoughts and feelings.

Importance of Effective Communication

Effective communication is very important in all areas of life. It helps in building good relationships, solving problems, and sharing ideas. Good communication makes learning easier, work environments better, and family relationships stronger. It’s a vital skill that everyone should master.

Elements of Effective Communication

There are four main elements of effective communication: sender, message, receiver, and feedback. The sender shares a message. The receiver gets the message and understands it. Feedback is the response from the receiver. All these elements need to work well for effective communication.

Ways to Improve Communication

Improving communication is easy with practice. Start by listening carefully to others. Try to understand their point of view. Be clear and concise when you speak or write. Use simple language. Show respect and empathy. These steps can make you a good communicator.

250 Words Essay on Effective Communication

Effective communication is the art of sharing information between two or more people. It’s not just about speaking. It’s about making sure the other person understands what you’re saying. It’s about listening and understanding too. It’s like a two-way street.

Why is Effective Communication Important?

Communication is the key to learning, forming relationships, and working together. If we can’t communicate well, we may face problems. We might misunderstand others or feel misunderstood. This can lead to confusion, frustration, or even fights. So, good communication helps us avoid these problems.

How to Communicate Effectively?

Firstly, be clear and concise. Use simple words and short sentences. This makes it easy for others to understand you. Secondly, listen carefully when others speak. Show that you’re interested in what they’re saying. Nod your head or say “yes” to show you’re paying attention.

Thirdly, watch your body language. Your facial expressions, gestures, and posture can say a lot. They can show if you’re happy, sad, angry, or bored. So, make sure your body language matches your words.

Benefits of Effective Communication

Good communication can help in many ways. It can improve relationships with friends, family, and teachers. It can help you do better in school or at work. It can also make you feel more confident and happy.

500 Words Essay on Effective Communication

Effective communication is the process of sharing information, thoughts, or feelings between people through speaking, writing, or body language. This process is successful only when both the sender and the receiver understand the same information.

The Importance of Effective Communication

Effective communication is important because it helps people understand each other better. It can help friends solve problems, help teachers explain things to students, and help family members share their feelings. It is also important in the workplace because it helps teams work together to achieve their goals. Without effective communication, misunderstandings can happen, leading to problems and conflicts.

Types of Effective Communication

Skills needed for effective communication.

There are several skills needed for effective communication. First is listening. It is important to listen carefully to what the other person is saying. Second is clarity. It is important to be clear and easy to understand when sharing information. Third is respect. It is important to respect the other person’s thoughts and feelings. Fourth is empathy. It is important to try to understand the other person’s point of view.

How to Improve Effective Communication

Improving effective communication can be done in several ways. One way is to practice active listening. This means paying full attention to the person who is speaking and not getting distracted. Another way is to use simple and clear language. Avoid using big words or complex sentences that can confuse the listener. Also, it is important to be aware of body language. Make sure that your facial expressions and gestures match what you are saying.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Great Communicators Share These 7 Essential Characteristics

When was the last time you heard a great speech? Listened to someone who captivated you with their personal story? Read something that was written so beautifully and powerfully that it challenged your thinking or moved you to action?

For many of us, it may have been a while. That’s because outstanding communication is rarely practiced with the kind of diligence it deserves, even among leaders who count on inspiring their teams to achieve ambitious goals.

People tend to think of exceptional communication as a natural trait, you’ve either got that special something or you don’t. And yet I’m a big believer that great communication can be developed and honed. I’ve seen it happen countless times with leaders who took communicating seriously and were determined to make it a kind of superpower.

This piece shares the most essential skills I believe all great communicators possess. Some may seem like common sense, others less so. Yet when combined, these traits will undoubtedly help you become a more powerful communicator – and leader.

What Does it Mean to Be a Great Communicator?

Great communicators know how to inspire something in their audiences. The inspiration can come in many forms – prompting them to think differently, to reflect on their practices, to learn something, to care about a particular initiative, or to do something differently to achieve an organizational goal.

After all, communication isn’t all that noteworthy if it does not inspire some sort of action on the part of the listener.

The attributes of great communication that we describe below sum up what makes a communicator exceptional.

The 7 Essential Characteristics of All Great Communicators

1. they know their audience and their needs.

The principle here is simple: the more you know about someone, the better you can listen to them, empathize, support, or guide them in the direction you need them to go as a communicator and leader.

What I’ve learned in my years of consulting is that whether team members or other audiences were actually asking them or not, there are several key questions on their minds, especially during times of crisis. We call them  The 8 Key Questions All Employees Have , and here they are:

We’ve drawn inspiration for The 8 Key Questions from one of the leading thinkers in internal communications, Roger D’Aprix, and adapted his model with his permission.

These questions are inspired by the famous psychology theory behind human motivation, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. That theory states that people need to fulfill their basic level of needs first before moving to more complex levels of thought or skill. In other words, you can’t build a house or write a novel if you’re literally starving or haven’t slept in weeks.

This obviously is true for employees. If they’re dealing with a lot of unsatisfied basic needs – the “me-focused” needs – those have to be addressed first before employees can think beyond themselves, and start to move from “me” to “we,” with questions such as, “How can I help?”

2. They Demonstrate Empathy

Great communicators know how important it is to walk in another person’s shoes or try to understand what challenges, worries, or concerns may be on their audience’s mind.

I saw many leaders demonstrate exceptional empathy during the COVID-19 pandemic. If there were supply chain concerns, sicknesses, or retention issues inside the workforce, leaders acknowledged the extra demands on their teams and took time to communicate and work out remedies to address the challenges.

For employees, empathy is one of the most important traits that employees look for in their leaders. In survey after survey, employees say they greatly appreciate leaders who communicate with empathy. That fact was underscored recently in an employee survey we conducted with the Harris Poll that explored employee burnout .

Our study found more than 75% of employees and 63% of managers report feeling burned out or ambivalent in their current position. Yet for employees who are thriving, the attitude of their manager, as well as the level of empathy that they communicated, were highly desirable traits. The study also highlighted that employees aren’t just looking for a culture of empathy from their direct managers but from upper management as well.

For the thriving group of employees, the top three contributing factors were:

• A manager invested in the employee’s success (61%)
• A manager demonstrating empathy (57%)
• Approachable senior leadership (53%)

In my recent leadership book, Heart First: What Exceptional Leaders Do in Extraordinary Times , empathy is a core component of what I define as “Heart First” leadership. I describe Heart First Leadership as championing empathy, humanity, and authenticity to build stronger, more trusting relationships and a thriving, purpose-driven organization. Naturally, “Heart First” leaders clearly communicate their natural empathy and humanity in an authentic way, which leads to the third most important characteristic of great communicators … authenticity.

3. They Are Authentic in Their Communication

When I was writing the first edition of Heart First during the pandemic, I learned from many leaders that what it took to be a great leader was clearly put to the test, not only during the pandemic but in the social and political unrest that followed it.

Since that time, many leaders shared that they’ve come to appreciate the power of being more authentic in their communication. The best communicators – and leaders – during that time discarded the pretenses we all tend to adopt at work and embraced more of who they are as people.

“As a black woman in corporate America, I’ve had a bit of a double persona for many years – one person in the office and another at home,” Alisa McGowan, now the Chief People Officer at TAIT, told me. “I wanted to be recognized as a professional, not as a black woman, and so there were parts of my life and story that I just tucked away, never to be shared inside a business meeting of any kind.”

Yet McGowan said that in more recent years, she decided to be more authentic, sharing a bit more of who she is and what she cares about with her teams. She feels this approach has made her a better leader and communicator.

“What I’ve realized over time is that the most important part of leading people is connecting with them in an authentic way, not just through small talk,” McGowan said. “For me, that kind of connection is built through understanding someone else’s journey and someone else’s story.”

I’ve come to a similar realization as a leader, and work to be more open and transparent in my communication than I did when I was younger. I know that employees feel more comfortable with an authentic leader. There are fewer question marks about what’s on the leader’s mind because employees know what to expect, and that’s highly motivating.

One tip for being a more authentic communicator is to spend a little more time reflecting about what matters to you and the messages that matter most to you. A good way to accomplish this is to have a “truth teller” or two around you at work. All of us have blind spots and it’s a truism that the higher you go in an organization, the greater the tendency is that people will tell you what they think you want to hear instead of what you need to hear. Truth tellers help us know what we sometimes can’t see ourselves.

4. They Communicate Often – And Thoroughly

Great leaders look at communication as a process of repetition. Too often, leaders think of communication as a “check-off-the-box” activity. They’ll say, “I sent an email. I’ve communicated.” But this thinking confuses getting the message out with actually creating shared meaning and understanding.

Marketing research has found that the average customer prospect needs to hear a message seven times before they take action. Employees don’t likely need this same attention – their number is probably closer to three or four times – but it still takes several reiterations for the message to sink in. When there’s a major restructuring or strategy initiative, it’s even more important to repeat the messages multiple times.

In fact, I often tell leaders that if they’re getting tired of delivering their message, then that probably means they’re doing their job.

Beyond just repeating messages, leaders should communicate important points in the manner and format that best meets their audience’s needs. Different personalities and work patterns of employees require a “surround sound” approach. Further, influencers, thought leaders, supervisors, and team ambassadors should be engaged. When employees hear the same message from their supervisor, from the CEO, and read it on the company Intranet and other company-backed news sources, they’re more likely to take it in and act on it.

The best leaders already have a regular cadence and rhythm for communicating with key stakeholders. A communications cadence is often defined through a communications calendar of regularly scheduled touchpoints with various audiences. The rigor and the regularity make a big difference in ensuring your communication is truly effective.

5. They Provide Important Context

Have you ever walked into a meeting and the communicator acts as if you’re on chapter 10 of a novel and you haven’t even read the preface? Too often, poor communication happens when leaders don’t provide the right context. The audience needs line-of-sight into why decisions or changes are being made, or why a particular vision for an organization is important in that moment.

To be a great communicator, stop and consider what your audience needs to know related to the following categories:

• Background/history
• Strategy and objectives (the end goals you seek)
• Metrics for success
• A delineation of priority (what’s most important to focus on)
• Basic reasons behind important decisions or a change of direction
• Roles for everyone involved in the change/initiative
• Knowledge of the ultimate stakes and why a particular initiative is worth the effort

A Tip for Giving Context:

One of the best ways to ensure leaders communicate the right level of context is to ensure you’re telling a complete story, addressing all the key questions. That’s where the  5 Ws and an H  comes in. Ask any journalist and they can tell you about the 5 Ws and an H. Any solid news story covers the following six concepts: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.

The same is true for communicating inside an organization, especially in uncertain or challenging times. None of these questions can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” They require context and detail, so the information is meaningful and relevant and answers the main questions on everyone’s mind.

6. They Listen and Create Dialogue

Great communicators are not always talking. In fact, the best communicators are exceptional listeners eager to dialogue with their audiences and hear their perspectives.

Great communication happens when leaders and their employees or colleagues understand each other. Knowing where another person is coming from is critical to move any organization forward.

Exceptional communication should include a sincere invitation for feedback, giving people the chance to respond truthfully and know that their opinion – whether it’s in agreement with a sentiment or not – is always welcome. The quickest way to shut down communication is to give an audience no opportunity to express an opposing view, challenge a particular direction, or ask multiple questions. Dialogue is always the best way to build trust and understanding.

7. They Are Open to Questions and Prepared to Answer Them

One of the most common things that can keep any communicator up at night is thinking about what kinds of tough questions they might get when there’s something especially weighty or potentially controversial.

And like anything, the surefire way to handle tough questions well is to prepare for them. Think through the questions you’re most likely to get and how best to answer them. Then practice – out loud – an answer to the questions that are most likely to be the toughest.

Great communicators know just how important this process is and they make time to prepare. It’s often helpful to work with a team so everyone can think through the potential questions that may be on the audience’s mind.

In thinking about the answers, consider the following:

• The perspective the employee might bring to the discussion
• The empathy that’s important to demonstrate to the audience as you respond
• The respectful authenticity that is critical in your response. People need to feel that you sincerely care about the team and want to be real with them about the challenges/roadblocks ahead
• Here’s what I know
• Here’s what I don’t know
• Here’s what I’m working on finding out

7 Easy Steps for Achieving Great Communication in Your Next Conversation

Great communicators inspire their teams by showing they care. To create a culture where people feel their input is valued, the best communicators demonstrate active listening with some of the following tried-and-true techniques:

• Approach each dialogue with the goal to learn something. Regardless of the employee’s level or role, think of the person you are speaking with as someone who can teach you. Have an open mind without pushing an agenda.
• Stop talking and focus closely on the speaker. Suppress the urge to think about what you’re going to say next or to multitask. Be present and show you care.
• Open and guide the conversation with broad, open-ended questions that prompt dialogue and cue to the employee that you want to learn more.
• Drill down to the details by asking direct, specific questions that focus on the conversation, such as “Tell me more about … ” or “How did you come to that conclusion?” or “How would this idea work?”
• Summarize what you hear and ask questions to check your understanding. Throughout the conversation, paraphrase what you hear to show you are actively listening and considering the employee’s point of view.
• Encourage with positive feedback. Show appreciation for the team member’s willingness to share thoughts, even if you don’t necessarily agree with all that’s being shared. Encourage others to express their points of view and be authentic with an observation like, “The fact that you and I may disagree on a topic is a good thing,” and share why.
• Listen for total meaning. Understand that in addition to what is being said, the real message may be nonverbal or emotional. Tone of voice, crossed arms, and poor eye contact can be clues that someone is feeling they aren’t being heard or understood.

The Bottom Line

I have often said that great communication truly is a superpower. Today, with constant change and some upheaval being the norm in most organizations, exceptional communication has never been more critical to success.

And here’s what’s especially encouraging: I’ve learned from my own experience and with clients that when it comes to communicating at a higher level, it doesn’t have to be as difficult as some leaders may feel it is.

True, in the busyness of everyone’s daily work life, sometimes it feels easier to just not communicate. Cutting corners in communicating may not feel like a big deal. Yet in retrospect, poor communication is usually the top reason mistakes get made, deadlines get missed, and even the most promising initiatives fail. As I titled my first two books , “You Can’t NOT Communicate,” I’ve learned that not communicating is communicating a message, too – maybe one of confusion or indifference. So, if everything communicates, you might as well do it well. And, these essential traits are a great place to start.

What’s missing from this list of essential traits that you think make for great communication? What have you found to be most effective?

— David Grossman

For a quick reference guide on how to stand out as a leader, download our eBook,  Top 11 Attributes of Exceptional Leaders and Communicators . Or, share with a leader or colleague you know is looking to elevate their impact.

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Other posts you might be interested in, top challenges for communicators in 2022 & how to solve them, employee burnout: signs, causes, and how to help, effective leadership transition: a 6-step guide for communicators, subscribe to the leadercommunicator blog.

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Personal Communication Skills and Their Development Essay

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Introduction

Personal communication skills, assessment criteria, communication gaps, additional training, improving current communication skills.

Communication models are interactions of transaction processes where both sender and receiver influence each other as they interrelate within the realms of a global context. Specifically, personal communication skills are essential in encoding and decoding information in the process. Thus, this reflective treatise attempts to explicitly identify personal communication skills, skills assessment criteria, communication gaps, and training strategies that may facilitate the improvement of different communication skills.

Through continuous interaction, I have developed several personal communication skills. These skills include verbal communication, listening skills, problem-solving skills, and negotiation skills. These skills are instrumental in successful formal or informal communication since they determine the results of response to written or verbal communication. I come to learn that paragraph and sentence structures should not have non-essential words. The same applies to draw art which should not have excess lines. This is to say that communication should be concise for it to be effective. This will enable persons to avoid bad habits in their oral and written speech (Baack, 2009).

Self-evaluation skills on the individual concentration level during communication encompass actual and expected outcomes. Through designing the relevant evaluation model, concentration evaluation will remain active in developing dependence of interest attached to an activity, creating proactive relationships, and monitoring their interaction with physical aspects of interaction evaluation. Eventually, this pays off since that individual will learn to appreciate the essence of learning and need to stay active (Modaff, DeWine, and Butler, 2008).

To check the above personal communication skills, I opted for a personal test through a list of questions evaluating different elements of personal skills. I answered the questions in the most sincere way to determine actual attributes and weaknesses in communication. I then proceeded to check the percentile score, which was at seventy percent. This confirmed that my communication skills are above average.

A person who possesses good speaking skills may easily capture attention, respect, and credibility. Conversing with purpose and grace is an important individual accomplishment which is a valuable life skill. Unfortunately, I am still not very assertive in expressing a personal opinion, especially when communicating with persons I perceive as seniors. I sometimes use inexpressive language, even in serious discussions. Inexpressive language is complicit erosion that is corrupt. The overuse of the phrase ‘like’ has been an extraneous and problematic issue that recurs whenever I am allowed to speak.

I need additional training on effective conversing skills that should eliminate speaking distortion. The same goes for my written expression. Addiction to words such as ‘like’ and any verbal crutch may lead to affliction. The verbal virus poses great difficulty for persons who suffer from their effects. The person who encounters such effects does not impress in a conversation (Baack, 2009).

I am currently an anecdotal, first hand, and intuitive person. I need to affirm speaking skills from any learning process. Thus, I will endeavor to address and eliminate stylistic or verbal miasma that affects personal speaking skills. Besides, I should concentrate on the content of communication to grow into a professional communicator and a good listener. It is advisable to clean up the content of any conversation to escape from the effects of verbal miasma (Yaffe, 2010).

Baack, D. (2009). Management Communication. Alabama, Al: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Modaff, D. P., DeWine, S., & Butler, J. (2008). Organizational communication: Foundations, challenges, and misunderstandings (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

Yaffe, P. (2010). Techniques of persuasive Communication . Web.

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How to Be an Effective Communicator at Work

• March 16, 2021
• John Estafanous

“Effective communication” might have become a watered-down buzz phrase, but healthy and  productive workplace communication  really is one of the necessities for sustainable high performance. In a fast-paced world dominated by digital devices, being a good communicator isn’t always high on our list of priorities, but it should be.

That’s because communicating well and on a consistent basis pays off big:  MIT’s Human Dynamics Laboratory found  that “with remarkable consistency…communication indeed plays a critical role in building successful teams” and that patterns of communication are the most important predictor of a team’s success. So good communication isn’t just about being nice; it’s about creating a  team dynamic  that fosters high performance.

5 Steps to Being a Good Communicator & Mastering Communication Skills

To me, that means creating an environment where every member of a team feels engaged, valued and safe enough to speak up and contribute. It means each person is listened to, valued and supported. And it means that no one person dominates, interrupts or dismisses anyone else’s contributions (whether subtly through body language or overtly through words). It’s about being inclusive of diverse perspectives and creating a culture of respect and open-mindedness.

Even those of us who consider ourselves excellent communicators can use a tune-up every once in a while. Here are five best practices to ensure your communication habits are contributing to a positive team culture.

Communicate Effectively: You listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and provide relevant information within your team.

Speaking up at work comes naturally to extroverts, while listening comes easily to introverts. But a team with a poor balance of these personality types may find that  a few individuals dominate , keeping quieter members even less likely to contribute.

According to the MIT research, teams with unbalanced energy and participation levels don’t perform as well as teams where all members have high levels of energy and engagement. Striking a balance between talking and listening is key, but it takes self-awareness to break out of your usual patterns.

Take action:  Think carefully about how you tend to interact in the workplace and try to pay attention to your behaviors for one week. Do you feel the need to talk a lot in meetings? If so, is it possible you’re keeping others from chiming in? Or do you rarely speak up during team conversations? If you’re not sure, solicit feedback from colleagues. If you’re a manager, you can help balance this dynamic on your team. To do so, encourage quieter employees to speak up and let dominant speakers know that you’re seeking everyone’s input.

Respond appropriately: You leave judgments and biases at home and listen to other people’s ideas.

Creating a sense of psychological safety is crucial for a healthy workplace; this means in a group setting, every member feels comfortable speaking up, sharing constructive criticism, contributing out-of-the-box ideas and making mistakes. If your colleagues feel judged or criticized and therefore don’t feel a sense of  psychological safety , they will likely disengage and hold back.

To ensure they feel fully welcomed to engage, it’s important they don’t feel judged when you communicate with them. When we’re busy or in a hurry, it’s easy to quickly react, especially if our personal biases color our judgments about someone. But if you often come off as judgmental or negative to colleagues, you may not realize the effect it could have on your team’s performance and morale.

Take action: Pause and think about how you react differently to different coworkers or out-of-the-box ideas. Do you often shut down suggestions you don’t personally like? Do you tend to be pessimistic about certain employees’ work because they’re young or inexperienced? Are you less likely to accept input from someone who you know has different political or religious beliefs from you? Notice where you may be inserting personal judgments and biases, and aim to keep them out of the workplace. By setting these aside and encouraging your team to share openly, you’ll help promote a sense of optimism and psychological safety. These in turn help foster more productive communication.

You communicate face-to-face as much as possible. Communication skills sometimes use as few words as needed, and a key component is showing the other party you can listen actively and process what is being said. Making eye contact is also helpful in conversation. 

The MIT team found that face-to-face communication is the most valued form of communication, followed by phone or video call. (Though the more people are on a call, the less effective it is.) Unsurprisingly, the least effective forms of communication are emails and texts, which are impersonal and hard to read tone-wise.

Communicating face-to-face makes it far easier to truly connect and engage – and engagement is another important dimension of team communication, according to MIT’s research. Plus, it’s much easier to read someone’s tone and intention when you can see their face and read their body language.

Take action:  How much of your communication is done via email or internal messenger? This is tough if you or your team work remotely, but aim to increase your face-to-face interactions. If you have a question for a colleague who sits near you, get up and go talk to them instead of firing off an email or slack message. When you need input from your team, have a quick, impromptu team huddle rather than an endless email chain.

If you’re remote, ask to have face-to-face video meetings to catch up or discuss work. This fosters closeness and engagement, which improves performance. The MIT study also found that workplace communication is best when colleagues connect with one another directly, not just with the team leader. So why not ask a teammate to a one-on-one lunch every once in a while?

You practice empathy at all times in a workplace setting. Effective communicators have open and honest communication, active listening skills, and a friendly tone in conversation to avoid misunderstandings. Deliver good or bad news with empathy, and listen and hear what the other person is saying.

Studies show that technology is dumbing down our social skills and  reducing our capacity for empathy . But empathy helps us connect with our colleagues on a deeper level, be better listeners, and communicate more effectively. Empathy isn’t about feeling sorry for others or sympathizing. It’s about trying to understand where someone is coming from and supporting them in a nonjudgmental way. Practicing more empathy in the workplace will help your colleagues feel heard and understood.

Take action:  Brush up on your empathy skills and practice it mindfully. According to author and former FBI undercover and counterintelligence agent LaRae Quy,  some ways to improve your empathy skills include :

• Examining your attitude with dealing with others; try to let go of being concerned about getting your way or being right. It’s about setting aside your viewpoint and trying to see things from another’s perspective.
• Validating others’ perspectives even if they have differing opinions from you.
• Paying attention and noticing body language when someone is talking to you; don’t be distracted by your phone or anything else.
• Asking, “Is everything OK?” when someone seems off instead of ignoring it.
• Listening without judgment and communicating that you understand what they’re experiencing.

You are mindful of body language. Facial expression, eye contact, and body language are all part of your communication style.

Nonverbal communication gives us just as much information, if not more, than verbal communication. When there’s a conflict between the two, the nonverbal cues are the most accurate, Quy says. It’s important to notice what your own body language is communicating, as well as to accurately read that of others. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy found that the way we hold ourselves can drastically affect how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us. For example, you may be projecting a stand-offish appearance or seeming as though you lack confidence without even realizing it.

Being a Great Communicator Isn’t Easy, but It’s Worth It

Take action:  Watch  Cuddy’s TED Talk  on body language to learn how it impacts our perceptions, feelings and hormones. By being mindful of your own body language, you can be more in control of how your communication to others is perceived. And being mindful of others’ body language – especially if it conflicts with their words – can clue you in to what’s really going on.

If you can master these five good communication strategies in the workplace, you’ll find that you’re more engaged and connected with your team, a better and more empathetic listener, and most likely, a higher performer.

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What Makes a Good Communicator Essay Example

• Pages: 3 (647 words)
• Published: April 4, 2017
• Type: Essay

Communication is the skill which made us distinct amongst the animals. Along with our ability to think, it has brought progress in the world. Since we have been born with superb inbuilt tools for communication, we often think we are born with good communication skills too. Wonder why? Just because we have been doing it all our life. It is true that from childhood you have been given verbal and non verbal inexplicit instructions on how to behave and talk to people. In spite of this, how many of us interrupt while others speak?

On the other hand, how many of us can confidently say we are good in handling interruption? While we are talking to others, seldom do we stop and ask ourselves what is it that I am trying to communicate? T

here is no definite goal for most of our conversations. From the childhood, we are taught that those who can talk faster are usually sharper than others. I am not suggesting that every time you talk, you should stop and think of all words? Whenever you are expressing a thought to someone, it is a good idea if you have an overall picture of what are you trying to convey.

If you have a picture or a sound in mind that you want to convey, it will be much easier to achieve your goal. This is not applicable just for people, every business also should train its employees on business communication skills so they can represent in an appropriate manner in the market place. It is not just the words that do the job, it’s a lot of other things too. Many people

believe that it’s their technical skills or better yet – the skills they don’t possess – that prevent them from professional success.

While technical skill sets and experience will always be important when companies are making hiring or promotional decisions, possessing good communication skills can be the ultimate qualifier in deciding whether or not to move someone forward. When two, three or more persons are being interviewed for a job position, usually the one who communicates in the best way gets it.

There are some key elements that go into being a good communicator. First of all you must be really interested in what others have to say, regardless if ou are not interested in the topic or you get bored. A problem occurs when you stop listening, thinking that your conversational partner is saying one and the same thing all the time, but ironically, sometimes it turns out that you have missed vital information or a brilliant idea. It is essential for a good communicator to know that asking the right questions and listening to the answers is not a time wasted. The “heart” of communication success is making others feel special. They have to feel validated and heard.

Good communicators remember important dates, names and events. They should not hurry others along when they speak, even if they have something else important to do. They should not stare somewhere else – for example at the computer screen or through the window – when others are talking to them. It is proved by studies that truth is perceived to lie in the actions if there is a contradiction between one’s words and one’s actions. If you are

confused by what you hear, you should ask for clarification.

Good communicators ask a lot of questions and then take actions toward goals. You should respect the other persons’ point of view. You should get to the point quickly. Then it is easier for the listener to remember what you said. You should know the outcome you want from your conversation. Conversation should be like a tennis match, each person having a turn to give and receive. By taking incremental steps to improve your communication effectiveness, you will reap long-term professional rewards.

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8 Ways You Can Improve Your Communication Skills

Your guide to establishing better communication habits for success in the workplace.

Mary Sharp Emerson

A leader’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively with employees, within teams, and across the organization is one of the foundations of a successful business.

And in today’s complex and quickly evolving business environment, with hundreds of different communication tools, fully or partially remote teams, and even multicultural teams spanning multiple time zones, effective communication has never been more important — or more challenging.

Thus, the ability to communicate might be a manager’s most critical skill. 

The good news is that these skills can be learned and even mastered. 

These eight tips can help you maximize your communication skills for the success of your organization and your career.

1. Be clear and concise

Communication is primarily about word choice. And when it comes to word choice, less is more.

The key to powerful and persuasive communication — whether written or spoken — is clarity and, when possible, brevity. 

Before engaging in any form of communication, define your goals and your audience. 

Outlining carefully and explicitly what you want to convey and why will help ensure that you include all necessary information. It will also help you eliminate irrelevant details. 

Avoid unnecessary words and overly flowery language, which can distract from your message.

And while repetition may be necessary in some cases, be sure to use it carefully and sparingly. Repeating your message can ensure that your audience receives it, but too much repetition can cause them to tune you out entirely. 

2. Prepare ahead of time

Know what you are going to say and how you are going to say before you begin any type of communication.

However, being prepared means more than just practicing a presentation. 

Preparation also involves thinking about the entirety of the communication, from start to finish. Research the information you may need to support your message. Consider how you will respond to questions and criticisms. Try to anticipate the unexpected.

Before a performance review, for instance, prepare a list of concrete examples of your employee’s behavior to support your evaluation.

Before engaging in a salary or promotion negotiation, know exactly what you want. Be ready to discuss ranges and potential compromises; know what you are willing to accept and what you aren’t. And have on hand specific details to support your case, such as relevant salaries for your position and your location (but be sure that your research is based on publicly available information, not company gossip or anecdotal evidence). 

Before entering into any conversation, brainstorm potential questions, requests for additional information or clarification, and disagreements so you are ready to address them calmly and clearly.

3. Be mindful of nonverbal communication

Our facial expressions, gestures, and body language can, and often do, say more than our words. 

Nonverbal cues can have between 65 and 93 percent more impact than the spoken word. And we are more likely to believe the nonverbal signals over spoken words if the two are in disagreement. 

Leaders must be especially adept at reading nonverbal cues. 

Employees who may be unwilling to voice disagreements or concerns, for instance, may show their discomfort through crossed arms or an unwillingness to make eye contact. If you are aware of others’ body language, you may be able to adjust your communication tactics appropriately.

At the same time, leaders must also be able to control their own nonverbal communications. 

Your nonverbal cues must, at all times, support your message. At best, conflicting verbal and nonverbal communication can cause confusion. At worst, it can undermine your message and your team’s confidence in you, your organization, and even in themselves. 

4. Watch your tone

How you say something can be just as important as what you say. As with other nonverbal cues, your tone can add power and emphasis to your message, or it can undermine it entirely.

Tone can be an especially important factor in workplace disagreements and conflict. A well-chosen word with a positive connotation creates good will and trust. A poorly chosen word with unclear or negative connotations can quickly lead to misunderstanding. 

When speaking, tone includes volume, projection, and intonation as well as word choice. In real time, it can be challenging to control tone to ensure that it matches your intent. But being mindful of your tone will enable you to alter it appropriately if a communication seems to be going in the wrong direction.

Tone can be easier to control when writing. Be sure to read your communication once, even twice, while thinking about tone as well as message. You may even want to read it out loud or ask a trusted colleague to read it over, if doing so does not breach confidentiality. 

And when engaging in a heated dialogue over email or other written medium, don’t be too hasty in your replies. 

If at all possible, write out your response but then wait for a day or two to send it. In many cases, re-reading your message after your emotions have cooled allows you to moderate your tone in a way that is less likely to escalate the conflict.

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5. Practice active listening

Communication nearly always involves two or more individuals.

Therefore, listening is just as important as speaking when it comes to communicating successfully. But listening can be more challenging than we realize. 

In her blog post Mastering the Basics of Communication , communication expert Marjorie North notes that we only hear about half of what the other person says during any given conversation. 

The goal of active listening is to ensure that you hear not just the words the person is saying, but the entire message. Some tips for active listening include:

• Giving the speaker your full and undivided attention
• Clearing your mind of distractions, judgements, and counter-arguments. 
• Avoiding the temptation to interrupt with your own thoughts.
• Showing open, positive body language to keep your mind focused and to show the speaker that you are really listening
• Rephrase or paraphrase what you’ve heard when making your reply
• Ask open ended questions designed to elicit additional information

6. Build your emotional intelligence

Communication is built upon a foundation of emotional intelligence. Simply put, you cannot communicate effectively with others until you can assess and understand your own feelings. 

“If you’re aware of your own emotions and the behaviors they trigger, you can begin to manage these emotions and behaviors,” says Margaret Andrews in her post, How to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence .

Leaders with a high level of emotional intelligence will naturally find it easier to engage in active listening, maintain appropriate tone, and use positive body language, for example.  

Understanding and managing your own emotions is only part of emotional intelligence. The other part — equally important for effective communication — is empathy for others.

Empathizing with an employee can, for example, make a difficult conversation easier. 

You may still have to deliver bad news, but (actively) listening to their perspective and showing that you understand their feelings can go a long way toward smoothing hurt feelings or avoiding misunderstandings.

7. Develop a workplace communication strategy

Today’s workplace is a constant flow of information across a wide variety of formats. Every single communication must be understood in the context of that larger flow of information.

Even the most effective communicator may find it difficult to get their message across without a workplace communication strategy.

A communication strategy is the framework within which your business conveys and receives information. It can — and should — outline how and what you communicate to customers and clients, stakeholders, and managers and employees. 

Starting most broadly, your strategy should incorporate who gets what message and when. This ensures that everyone receives the correct information at the right time. 

It can be as detailed as how you communicate, including defining the type of tools you use for which information. For example, you may define when it’s appropriate to use a group chat for the entire team or organization or when a meeting should have been summarized in an email instead. 

Creating basic guidelines like this can streamline the flow of information. It will help ensure that everyone gets the details they need and that important knowledge isn’t overwhelmed by extraneous minutia. 

8. Create a positive organizational culture

The corporate culture in which you are communicating also plays a vital role in effective communication. 

In a positive work environment — one founded on transparency, trust, empathy, and open dialogue — communication in general will be easier and more effective. 

Employees will be more receptive to hearing their manager’s message if they trust that manager. And managers will find it easier to create buy-in and even offer constructive criticism if they encourage their employees to speak up, offer suggestions, and even offer constructive criticisms of their own. 

“The most dangerous organization is a silent one,” says Lorne Rubis in a blog post, Six Tips for Building a Better Workplace Culture . Communication, in both directions, can only be effective in a culture that is built on trust and a foundation of psychological safety.

Authoritative managers who refuse to share information, aren’t open to suggestions, and refuse to admit mistakes and accept criticism are likely to find their suggestions and criticisms met with defensiveness or even ignored altogether. 

Without that foundation of trust and transparency, even the smallest communication can be misconstrued and lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary conflict.

Communicating with co-workers and employees is always going to present challenges. There will always be misunderstandings and miscommunications that must be resolved and unfortunately, corporate messages aren’t always what we want to hear, especially during difficult times.

But building and mastering effective communication skills will make your job easier as a leader, even during difficult conversations. Taking the time to build these skills will certainly be time well-spent. 

Want to build your skills? Find the program that’s right for you.

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About the Author

Digital Content Producer

Emerson is a Digital Content Producer at Harvard DCE. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and Yale University and started her career as an international affairs analyst. She is an avid triathlete and has completed three Ironman triathlons, as well as the Boston Marathon.

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