Today’s young generation needs to learn one thing from their previous generations the art of active communication, as the very idea of active communication isn’t something new; it actually values more than active listening. What you say, how you say it, and why you say it are all equally important. What the younger generation lacks is expressing their thoughts without using words.
Remember when your teachers emphasized finishing your homework on time and making sure it was done right? But why did they do it? Well, it was their way of making sure that all the students have been paying attention and everyone is on the same page. Not many people possess this skill of active communication; however, if you start learning at an early stage, it can turn advantageous. Now, let’s talk about some common signs of how good someone is at communicating.
Signs of a Superior Communicator
Having good communication skills depend on your personality and how you present yourself at your work and the society. How do you recognize someone who has superior communication?
Look for these signs:
- Teachers often ask them questions and give them responsibilities in the class
- People often ask them for advice about various things
- When people ask them for help with learning difficult things
- If they are able to understand and share feelings with their colleagues and customers
- They often do well in written tasks and tests
- When you someone to be a good writer or storyteller
Signs Communication Skills Are Lacking
However, there are others who lack these skills, look for the following signs in yourself if you wish to know if you lack them:
- You don’t do very well n your academics
- You often take notes in class in a messy way
- You don’t quite find important points in your lectures
- Your performance at your work is not up to the mark, and you struggle to understand things
- Your customer service reports are unhappy with how long you take to reply and how you handle their problems
There is a possibility that you might be good in your academics but still lack confidence while communicating with others. There are ways in which you can work on your communication and get better at it.
Why Is Communication Far-reaching?
People habitually judge you without knowing the truth and often presume things based on your speaking skills. They never overlook beyond that to see how well you are at other things in life.
If you are someone who struggles at explaining things clearly or you are not an active listener, it can make your work and personal life hard. Good communication skill is very important as it is required at various stages of life like your school, college, and career.
The Process And Function of Active Communication
Here’s how communication works in simple steps:
- You receive a message from someone.
- That message contains information.
- You chose the mode of communication in the way of talking (like speaking, writing, or showing with your body).
- You ensure that the person receiving the message comprehends it well.
- Following these steps correctly is important for the process to work well.
These four things help you talk and listen better:
Paying Attention
It is usually termed as “active listening,” which means listening to understand, not just to say something back.
Body Language
The actions of your body and face help the listener understand what you are trying to say in a better way. Always align your body language to the message being conveyed.
Handling Stress
If you are stressed, never let the person in front judge your fear, and make the conversation as smooth as possible.
Being Confident
Believing in what you say is very important, as when you say something, people judge if you are hesitant while speaking. If they see that, they will not respect what you are saying and see you as a weak communicator.
Successful Active Communication Strategies
Here are some tips to help you communicate better and succeed, considering all that we’ve talked about.
Don’t Talk Too Much
Always choose clear words to convey your message and never divert from the topic, especially when you are emotional.
Leave Your Pride Behind
There are times when you are overwhelmed with feelings and emotions. It can be hard to hold your emotions and speak in that state. However, you can bounce back faster and reply firmly.
Stay Strong, but Listen to Others
Active listening teaches you to understand what others mean and say, even if you disagree with them. Accepting you are wrong takes courage and self-confidence, it’s okay to listen to what other people’s ideas without straight away saying no.
Have a Point
Having a strong opinion and standing up to it when you are right is very important, always convey your message strongly and confidently.
Know When to Give In
Some people never know when to give up in an argument. You should learn to lose an argument even if you are not convinced, not every battle needs to have your word as the last.
Learn From Every Interaction
It doesn’t always matter if a talk is good or bad. Failing teaches you as much as winning. Think about your talking like you’re watching from the outside. Don’t let your pride get in the way. You’ll learn about yourself. These ideas work for any kind of talking: when you use words or not, when you’re speaking to friends or at work. Keep getting better at talking, and you’ll also get better at everything else in life.