At no time in history have interpersonal communication skills been as important as they are today.

According to scientists, while the tools we use to communicate have evolved, the way our brains are wired to consume information has not.

Humans can thrive in an AI saturated world if they reconsider the types of skills they must master. And among all the others, the ability to connect emotionally is the most crucial.

If we focus on ways we can improve communication skills over time, we may be surprised how much that changes our relationships with staff, clients and colleagues for the better.

So, I’m giving you below, 7 tips that will actually transform you into a great communicator:

 

1.    Listen Without Distractions

Listening is the key to effective communication, but it’s not always easy.

External distractions during your conversations make it difficult to hear and absorb what others are saying. 

It’s also important to limit internal distractions, that is, everything going on in your mind.

Also, when you fail to get your message through to someone, you don’t need to change the content.

You need to identify their operating metaprogram, identify what you are doing, and identify what the other person is doing.

This will help you adjust communications so that the problem disappears.

 

2. Be Empathetic

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

The ability to put yourself in other’s shoes, and try to relate and understand where they are coming from, even if the situation is not familiar to you.

You gotta show care and concern, don’t judge but understood things from their perspective, and give helpful suggestions on what could work.

When you have empathy for others, you help them feel better about themselves.

You help others relieve their problems and also, strengthen your relationship with them.

 

 3. Ask The Right Questions

One of the most powerful tools of knowledge is well known to be …the question.

So much of communication relies on getting the information you need, and many times this means you need to ask the right kinds of questions.

Asking questions help the other person open up. It also tells her that you want to hear more.

If you don’t ask the right questions, you may never get to the root of the issue and will never unravel the information you need.

 

 4. Keep In Mind Your Audience’s Perspective.

A better acknowledgement of your audience’s perspective, is welcome anytime, be that audience your customers, employees, shareholders or key stakeholders.

If you understand your customers’ wants and needs and you’re able to satisfy them, then they’re more apt to close a sale, or do business with you instead of the competition.

Think about what problems they are facing and then, talk about the real-life benefits that they will experience by using your product.

Put extra emphasis on keeping employees completely informed and coordinated. This will reinforce that they are part of the team, and that will lead to a better attitude and effort all around.

Be clear and get to the point in your communications with shareholders and key business stakeholders in your company. You will engender a higher level of confidence more rapidly.

 

Download the PDF version of my report and

Get into the Right Perspective of Entrepreneurs 

 

5. Keep It Clear

If you can’t clearly communicate your message, in just a few sentences at most, your target audience will have no chance to ever understand it.

Ultimately, your marketing efforts will likely be underperforming if users are confused about the value you’re offering.

You need to:

• Be clear about your goal or message, and make sure that it’s easy for your reader to understand your meaning;
• Be concise. Stick to the point and keep it brief;
• Be concrete. Let your audience have a clear picture of what you’re telling them (details, vivid facts, laser-like focus);
• Have a coherent and error-free message;
• Give your audience everything they need to be informed and, if applicable, take action;
• Be friendly, open and honest.

Communicating clearly and effectively can make effective delegation, increased productivity and an enjoyable work environment.

 

6. Focus on Customer Service

One way to maintain long-term relationships with your clients is by keeping open lines of communication.

It means asking for input on how things are going, and how they feel about the products and service you’re providing.

It can be accomplished at the end of a project, during day-to-day conversations, with a focus group, or through formal surveys.

 

7. Use the Feedback You Receive

This can be a goldmine of useful information about how your business, products, and services are perceived by clients and potential clients. 

Create a process for collecting the feedback you receive in one place, then set aside time every month or two to analyze the data and create a plan for implementing and tracking improvements.

Business is filled with risk, but with effective business communication, you can avoid internal, commercial and financial risks.

In fact, with communication flowing, you can actually create unforeseen opportunities.

Developing original ideas and communicating those ideas effectively is the single greatest skill you can build today to own your future.

 

Download the PDF version on Robert Cialdini’s book 

Influence – The Psychology of Persuasion 

 

If you can persuade, inspire and ignite the imagination of others, you will be unstoppable, irresistible and irreplaceable.

Does any of your actual communication skills need a fine-tuning?

 

Irinel Bogdan