HOW TO IMPROVE

COMMUNICATION

SKILLS

COMMINICATION SKILLS

 AMITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING

The problem with the communication ….is the illusion that it has been accomplished.

                                          

                               -George Bernard Shaw

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    COMMUNICATION

• The term 'Communication' has been derived from the Latin word 'communis' that means 'common'. 

• Thus 'to communicate' means 'to make common' or 'to make known'. 

• This act of making common and known is carried out through exchange of thoughts, ideas or the like..

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            WHAT IS COMMUNICATION ?

SENDER RECEIVER

Feedback

receiver sender

Communication is the  process of sending and receiving information among people…

MediumEncode Decode

     WHY IS COMMUNICATION IMPORTANT

• Inspires confidence

• Builds respect in business and social life

• Helps make friends

• Develops a distinct personality

• Reveals your ability to others

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Effective communication skills are fundamental to success in many aspects of life.  

• Many jobs require strong communication skills and socially people with improved communication skills usually enjoy better interpersonal relationships with friends and family.

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EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Effective communication is a key interpersonal skill and by learning how we can improve our communication has many benefits.

• Therefore , there is need to improve communication skills . 

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7c’s of effective communication

1. Completeness

2. Conciseness

3. Consideration

4. Clarity

5. Concreteness

6. Courtesy

7. Correctness.

NEED TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION

 As, 70 % of our communication efforts are:• Misunderstood • Misinterpreted • Rejected • Distorted or • Not heard

WAYS OF IMPROVING COMMUNICATION SKILLS

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LISTENING

“If we were supposed to talk more than listen, we would have been given two mouths and one ear.”

Mark Twain

LISTENING

• Listening is not the same as hearing; learn to listen not only to the words being spoken but how they are being spoken and the non-verbal messages sent with them.

• Use the technique of clarification and reflection to confirm what the other has said and avoid any confusion.

• Try not to think about what to say next whilst listening; instead clear your mind and focus on the message being received.

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• Finally, the best thing you can do to improve your communication skills is to learn to really listen—to pay attention and let the other person talk without interrupting.

• It’s hard work, we know, but “A good conversation is a bunch of words elegantly connected with listening.”

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WAYS TO IMPROVE LISTENING

PARAPHRASEPARAPHRASE

Restate what was said in your own words

PARAPHRASEPARAPHRASE

Restate what was said in your own words

SUMMARIZESUMMARIZE

Pull together the main points of a speaker

SUMMARIZESUMMARIZE

Pull together the main points of a speaker

QUESTIONQUESTION

Challenge speaker to think further, clarifying both your and their understanding

QUESTIONQUESTION

Challenge speaker to think further, clarifying both your and their understanding

BODY LANGUAGE

• Body language is a huge part of how we communicate with other people.

• If reading body language doesn't come naturally to you, or if you'd simply like to get better at it, there's a huge body of work that details what the body is really saying. 15

UNNECESSARY FILLERS

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UNNECESSARY FILLERS

• Um’s and ah’s do little to improve your speech or everyday conversations. Cut them out to be more persuasive and feel or appear more confident.

• One way is to start keeping track of when you say words like “um” or “like.”

• You could also try taking your hands out of your pockets or simply relaxing and pausing before you speak.

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SPEAKING SPEED

• Nobody will hold it against you if you speak more slowly and clearly.

• Great speakers do the same to get their message across.

• Selecting your words carefully may also be seen as a sign of respect towards your audience.

• Shows that you want to give them the best possible answer.

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TIME TO THINK

• Give yourself time to think.

• You may be worried that the people you’re talking to are impatient and would like you to say what you want as quickly as possible.

• First of all, it may not be true – people often prefer a well-thought-out answer to a rushed one.

• So just relax and before answering take time to think. 19

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HUMOUR• Laughing releases endorphins that can help

relieve stress and anxiety; most people like to laugh and will feel drawn to somebody who can make them laugh.

• Don’t be afraid to be funny or clever, but do ensure your humour is appropriate to the situation.

• Use your sense of humour to break the ice, to lower barriers and gain the affection of others.

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EMPATHISE

• Empathy is trying to see things from the point-of-view of others.

• When communicating with others, try not to be judgemental or biased by preconceived ideas or beliefs - instead view situations and responses from the other person’s perspective.

• Stay in tune with your own emotions to help enable you to understand the emotions of others.

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POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND SMILE

• Few people want to be around someone who is frequently miserable. Do your best to be friendly, upbeat and positive with other people.

• Maintain a positive, cheerful attitude to life: when things do not go to plan, stay optimistic and learn from your mistakes.

• If you smile often and stay cheerful, people are more likely to respond positively to you. 23

MINIMISE STRESS• Some communication scenarios are, by

their nature, stressful.

• Stress can however be a major barrier to effective communication, all parties should try to remain calm and focused.

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IMPROVING COMMUNICATION

• Don’t use cliches• Brevity• Sincerity• Don’t praise yourself• Avoid argument

• Be tactful• Silence• Enunciation

– Clear, loud, syllables. Flexibility of tone

PRACTISE

• For distinct enunciation, every word, every syllable, every sound, must be given it proper form and value.

• Think of the mouth chamber as a mold, in which the correct form is given to every sound.

• Will you please move your lips more noticeably?• The teeth should never be kept closed in

speech.• Through practices, we can learn to speak more

rapidly, but still with perfect distinctness

Ways to gain effective conversation

• Good use of English – avoid errors

• Improved vocabulary

• Avoid old phrases

• Use humour

• Add interesting story

• Improve clarity of voice – practice

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PRESENTATION

• A presentation is the process of presenting a topic to an audience. 

• It is typically a demonstration, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, or build good will.

• This is also a part of communication skill.

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DEVELOPING YOUR PRESENTATION

• What is your goal ?• Research your topic• Develop an outline• Create or locate learning aids

MAKING PRESENTATION INTERESTING

• Informative• Fun• Variety• Energy• Audience Interaction

 Practicing Your Presentation

• Simulate the presentation setting– Practice aloud

– Practice standing up

• Time your presentation

• Memorize your opening few sentences

• Watch yourself in a mirror

CONCLUSION

In order to have good communication:

• Listen to Understand

• Understand before speaking

• Speak to be understood

• Seek understanding before proceeding

• Repeat

Communication is a two way process!

THANK YOU

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