Be a great listener
To be a good communicator you must be a good listener. Most people don’t like to communicate with somebody who only cares about their opinion and doesn’t take the time to listen to the other person. A great listener listens very carefully to comprehend what is being discussed.
You must take the time to listen actively. You must pay close attention to what the other person is saying, ask questions for more clarity if needed, rephrase what the other person has said to make sure you fully understand their opinion. Once you completely understand what they have said then you can formulate your response and deliver it appropriately.
Try not to interrupt when people are talking. Allow them to say what they have to say and then you can express to them your thoughts. Doing this will keep the conversation on a smooth and untensed tone. I have been in team discussions where we could have reached a conclusion in a short period of time but team members were cutting each other off which led to long, time wasted, and unproductive discussions. Apparently, we couldn’t understand each other’s points because we weren’t listening.
Speak Clearly with Conviction
When you deliver your message, speak loudly and clearly and with conviction. You need to be sure to deliver your message accurately and precisely. State facts and back them up with examples. Keep it simple.
When you are unsure of your message, be confident and clear. People will still listen to you if you deliver your message with confidence.
Don’t talk too much or too little. Be precise and direct to your point whether you be on the phone, text, slack, or email.
Think about what you want to say before you say it. If you ramble on and on, your listener will tune you out or be confused about your message.
Maintain eye contact while speaking. People will feel more powerful about your message when you keep their attention to you.
Confidence
Use a friendly and firm tone of voice when speaking to your coworkers.
Make eye contact with at all times when speaking. Don’t look away from the person you are speaking to.
Avoid making questions sound like statements.
Try not to sound arrogant or aggressive.
Empathy
Do your best to understand others. Use phrases like “I understand where you are coming from” or “I understand your point of view” to show them that you have been listening and that you respect their opinion.
Feedback
Being able to give feedback is vital. It gives people the impression that you value and respect their work. Like if they have done something for you say “Thanks for your help” or “Thanks for taking care of that for me”. Giving feedback can greatly increase motivation and vibe within the work environment. It feels good to get a “GOOD JOB” from your peers so make sure you be the one to give one too.
Body Language
Your eye contact, body language, tone of voice, and hand gesture are all part of your message. Just relax. Open arms. Stand tall.
Eye contact is very important. You want to look the person in the eye to show that you are focused on them and the conversation you are having.
If they are not looking at you while talking to you then they may not be comfortable with you or they may not be telling the truth.