Communicating Well
Communicating with people is extremely important, and it’s more than just taking a public speaking class. Communication also happens when you talk with your classmates, coworkers, and friend in smaller conversations. You communicate a lot every day, so learning how to communicate well can make a big difference in your day to day life.
Communication is a skill that can help you navigate and avoid many issues and conflicts with others. While it sounds simple, communication skills can be difficult to actually develop, but don’t be discouraged. The small steps pay off and make big differences if you persevere.
Tips for Communicating Well
Listen to what others are saying. Being able to express yourself well to other also involves understanding and paying attention to what other people are saying too. Listening to others can help you understand what the person you are talking to is saying.
If there’s a tough conversation that you need to have, make a list of talking points. There’s nothing wrong with preparing some of the things you need to talk about in advance. It can also be helpful if it is an emotional conversation because it will help keep the conversation on track and allow you to think of what you want to say instead of being caught up in the moment.
In many (but not all) cases, it’s better to over explain yourself than to under explain. Communicating with others is a good way to avoid misunderstandings. It can help other people understand you better, and it can help you understand other people better as well.
Remember that the words you say are not the only thing that impacts communication. The tone that you use when you speak to other people and the facial expressions that you make have an impact as well. Try to have conversations when you are calm so that your words don’t get lost in the emotions that you are feeling.