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Top 10 Communication Tips

Jul 12, 2013

photo (1)By Olivia Zed

Strong communication is one of the single most important things for any relationship. This can be a relationship between you and your friend, a coworker, an audience, or anyone else you find yourself in a conversation with. I’ve began to realize the importance of strong communications skills as I go through my internship with the G(irls)20 Summit,. Every day I am in contact with former delegates from around the world and need to be mindful and creative about how we communicate.

With all of that being said, I’ve decided to put together a list, with the help of numerous English teachers, that is intended to help you improve upon your current communication skills and facilitate better communication spaces. This list touches upon several aspects of communication, including listening, speaking, and managing your nerves. I hope that you enjoy this and that you will be able to apply at least one of the tips mentioned into your daily lives.

  1. When trying to convey a message or an opinion, it’s important to leave a space for listeners to agree or disagree with you. Communication is strongest when you incorporate others opinions and absorb negative challenges.
  2. Discussions should always be a democratic process where there are MANY communication spaces in which everybody’s opinion can be a little right.
  3. If you find yourself in a disagreement with someone, never belittle his or her ideas or beliefs. You cannot construct yourself while destructing someone else.
  4. When communicating a message, using strong negative emotions such as fear and anger will create a disconnect between you and your listener
  5. Make sure that your message is clear and that you’re speaking in an engaging fashion. Things such as eye contact, enthusiasm, and authenticity are essential to building a connection with your audience.
  6. Listening is the single most important ticket to connecting with someone and is one of the most important aspects of communication.
  7. When listening you must collect data calmly and neutrally, don’t listen to argue. If you want to argue, then do so after someone is speaking with your own biases in mind. PRACTICE: Join with a partner and prepare opposing arguments on a certain subject. Before you can rebuttal your “opponent’s” point you must calmly repeat all of the information they have given you, then rebut.
  8. If you speak too quickly then your listeners will lose their connection with you.
  9. If you are nervous, understand that fear is nothing but abstract. PRACTICE calming your nerves with the following exercises…. (a) Deep breathing- breath in for three counts, hold it, then slowly exhale it with your mouth slightly open. This will relax your throat muscles and allow you to project your voice and speak clearly. (b) List concrete nouns in your head (ex. Muffin, pillow, bird). By doing so your brain with project mental images of these things and provide your mind with some sort of clarity. (c) Remove yourself from the scene- stop reviewing your notes and just observe your surroundings.
  10. Know that with every topic there is something new to bring to the table, even if you don’t know very much about it.