Communication Skills What I Intend

Communication Skills

What I Intend to Do to Improve My Communication Skills

In basic terms, communication involves the transmission of messages from one person to another using a wide range of methods. The ability to communicate in a concise, clear and effective way is critical when it comes to building lasting relationships both in the workplace and within a familial setting. Hence the development of effective communication skills should be a priority for any individual seeking to scale both the corporate and social ladder. Personally, I do not happen to be an effective communicator. However, I intend to undertake a number of steps in an attempt to enhance my communication skills.

To begin with, I plan to be making more eye contact when communicating with others. I am convinced that this will enable me to maintain their attention so that I may be able to pass my message across. Similarly, I also plan to work on my body language when holding conversations. From my readings on effective communication, both an approachable stance and an appropriate posture play a significant role in enhancing the smooth flow of conversations. For instance, occasional gestures during a conversation could help keep the audience attentive and interested in what is being said. With that in mind, I will seek to incorporate more gestures in addition to eye contact during my engagement with others.

Next, I also intend to read a number of self-help books addressing the subject of effective communication. Some of the books I have identified in this case include but are not limited to Effective Communication by James S. O'Rourke and 101 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills Instantly by Jo Condrill and Bennie Bough. Reading the books will enable me to become well acquainted with the various strategies individuals use to become better communicators. I could supplement this exercise by closely watching successful public speakers as well as other effective communicators and the communication approaches they adopt.

Third, I am of the opinion that communication is two-way. To be an effective communicator, one must be an effective listener as well. Interrupting others as they speak or being inattentive to what they have to say sends the wrong signal. Further, failure to be attentive to the message others are trying to put across could be constructed to mean one is disinterested in the whole conversation. Such a view in return makes others inattentive of what one has to say. In the light of that, I will strive to be an attentive listener so that others can be willing to listen to me as well.