101 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills


•Communication
•Techniques
•Listening
•Speaking and Listening
•Speaking and Writing
•General Tips
•Speaking

–Know what you want to say
–Control Fear
–Stop Talking and Listen
–Think before you talk
–Believe in your message
–Repeat Major Points
–Find Out what your Listener wants


•Techniques
–Define Acronyms
–Reduce Jargon
–Level Objections
–Use Humor
–Anecdotes and Stories
–Ask for feedback
–Increase your vocabulary
–Eliminate Audible Pauses
–Enunciate Clearly
–Practice Pronouncing Words Properly
–Exercise Tongue, Jaws and Lips
–Make Eye Contact
–Gesture –Pause
–Speak more slowly
–Speak faster
–Vary Your Volume
–Watch your tone
–Record your voice


•Listening
–Prepare to Listen
–Focus on the Speaker
–Screen Out Distractions
–Concentrate on the Message
–Listen to Tapes while you commute


•Speaking and Listening
–Ask Questions
–Avoid Daydreaming
–Accept Accents
–Use mind mapping
–Interview
–Complaints
–Telephone


Speaking and Writing
•Key Points
–Write a Purpose Statement
–Outline
–Transfer Negative Emotions to Paper
–Get to the Point
–Explain Abstract words
–Use Absolutes and Generalities Sparingly
–Ask for what you want
–Use active verbs
–Use gender neutral language
–Cite Source of Statistical Data
–Illustrate with personal examples
–Express Emotion
–Keep it simple (KISS) Method
–Paint verbal Pictures
–Be Concise
–Support Statements with Details
–Watch Semantics
–Quote Authorities
–Consult Experts
–Suppress emotion


•Writing
–Keep a Journal
–Take notes
–Write personal Notes
–Write Effective business letters
–Use Short Sentences
–Communicate online

General Tips
•Reading
–Read
–Keep up with Current Events
–Read Something Inspirational
–Use the Internet

•Non Verbal
–Presence
–Give Nonverbal Cues
–Check Your Posture
–Dress Appropriately
–Smile
–Touch
–Shake Hands Properly


•Attitude
–Intend to Improve
–Visualize
–Be flexible
–Be Likable
–Commit to Being Truthful
–Empathize
–Don’t take yourself too seriously
–Eliminate Negative Feelings
–Be receptive to New Ideas
–Take Responsibility
–Respect the Other Person’s Point of View
–Recognize the Impact of Stress on Communication
–Be Real
–Check Your attitude


•Behavioral
–Laugh
–Use Good Manners
–Recognize Manipulative Behavior
–Recognize Condescending Manners
–Avoid Words that Hurt
–Change Abrasive Behavior
–Handle Disagreements with Tact


•Miscellaneous
–Organize Productive Meetings
–Consider Experience Level
–Understand the Importance of Timing
–Present a Good Personal Image