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Whether you are asking your boss for a raise, pursuing a potential client or chatting to your colleagues in the pub, effective communication is the key to establishing rapport and getting your message across. Knowing how to communicate clearly will help you create opportunities for yourself in both your personal and professional life.

Good communication skills can defuse challenging situations, and even stop them from arising in the first place. Yet, many of us find communication difficult at times, which can lead to misunderstandings, hamper our relationships or stall our professional progression. Here are five tips that you can implement today to improve your communications skills:

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  1. Become a Better Listener

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Always remember that communication is a two-way street. It is as much about listening to the other person as it is about expressing your own point of view.

One of the most important aspects of being a good communicator is active listening. Far too often, we focus what we are going to say next and fail to really absorb the meaning of what the other person is saying.

The next time you have a conversation, try to resist the temptation to jump in with your own story or opinion. Instead of thinking about your reply, ask open-ended questions to show your interest and to clarify what is being said. Pay attention not just to the other person’s words, but also to their tone of voice, facial expression and body language.

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2. Be Aware of Your Body Language

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Communication is not just what we say, it is also how we say it. Research shows that when we communicate feelings and attitudes, only a small percentage of the overall message (7%) comes from the actual words.

Having an understanding of the non-verbal signals you send to others will do wonders for your communication skills. Show the person that you are present by leaning slightly towards them, keeping eye contact, maintaining an open posture and giving non-verbal cues such as nodding.

Other people’s body language will in turn give you clues on how to best communicate with them. For example, if a client is constantly glancing at their watch it is best to be concise.

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3. Respond, Don’t React

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This can be easier said than done, especially if you are in the middle of a heated conversation or the other person says something you do not agree with or find offensive.

When you simply react to a situation, you are likely to say something that you later regret. Learning to pause and take a few moments to consider the implications of your words, will help you respond in a calm manner without inflaming the situation further.

Please rest assured that we are not suggesting that you simply roll over (metaphorically speaking) and agree with the other person. By controlling your reactive behaviour you can express yourself in a constructive and respectful manner, which actually makes them more likely to listen to you.

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4. Remove Digital Distractions

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Putting away digital distractions is key if you want to improve your communication skills. How often do you look around an office, restaurant or any public place for that matter, and see people staring intently at their mobile phones while having a conversation with another person?

Not only does this create a very rude impression, it also means that you are likely to miss key parts of what is being said. Contrary to popular belief, our brains are not designed to multitask. Looking at your emails or social media while having a conversation – whether in-person or over the phone- will seriously impede your engagement and concentration levels.

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5. Practice Mindfulness

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Many factors can compromise our ability to communicate effectively, such as high stress levels, not feeling well (physically or psychologically) or outside distractions.

Practicing mindfulness will help you stay focused in the present moment rather than letting your mind race ahead to the next item on your to-do list. When you start paying attention to the here and now, you listen more intently to what others have to say and your own responses are more sensitive and considered.

Mindfulness is not an easy skill to master but it is worth persevering as the benefits are multifold. Apart from improving your communication skills and relationships, mindfulness can also help relieve anxiety, lower blood pressure and reduce chronic pain.

Communication skills are a key module in our group and private courses. If you want to find out how we can help you become a better communicator contact us via email or telephone.

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