Guide to improve communication skills

What did Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther king Jr and Swami Vivekananda have in common? Apart from being great leaders of their times, they were also exceptional orators. They could keep the audiences captivated and spell bound with their inspiring speeches. That brings us to the topic of what are the prerequisites to have good communication skills?

Communication skills refer to the ability to convey information to another effectively and efficiently. The benefits of good communication are too numerous to list, for they enhance all aspects of life from the personal to the professional.

In today’s day and age, there is no denying that it is extremely important to be skilled in the art of efficient communication as it is vital to the success of any endeavor.

In our day to day life the various forms communication that we involve in, most often are spoken, written, public speaking, Business communication and the likes. The basic premise of all these forms ultimately remains the same. That is to make yourself clearly understood.

5 basic steps to Good Communication skills.

Be smart

Listen: This is an important tool because learning how to value different viewpoints and maintaining an open mind can help us become better communicators.

Connect: Become genuinely interested in other people and show appreciation. A real sense of connection can really a difference in the outcome of the communications.

 Practice: A time tested method and absolutely no substitute to it! Be it in front of the mirror, communicating with peers and acquaintances or taking the lead in a group discussion, these are the best possible practical ways to improve yourself.  Also use technology constructively to communicate you opinions and viewpoints in the form of blogging, micro-blogging etc.

Request Feedback: It is always good to confirm that there is a mutual understanding of what’s being communicated as there are often times when we are completely misunderstood or the vice-versa. Always try to end your communication in a friendly manner to leave the other individual feeling understood and valued.

Stay positive: This is important for any kind of productive communication. It is easy get bogged down by failure, or when people shut you down. Be constructive and have belief as there is always scope for improvement in any situation.

Free Courses to improve Communication Skills

These are some of the best courses that helps in improving you communication skills. Some of them are MOOC courses starting soon.

public speaking

Conversational English Skills

If you are finding it difficult to start the conversation, or find the right words when communicating in English, then this is the right course. You will also learn more about American, British, Canadian, Australian, South Korean, Colombian, and Chinese cultures.

Introduction to public speaking

It is a self-paced course on Coursera platform. The overriding goal of this course is to demystify the process of writing, practicing, and performing a clear and engaging speech. It can help students improve the quality of their speeches and confidence with which they present them.

Along with communicating, it is also important that we use logic and reasoning to put forth our opinions or arguments effectively.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking in today’s communication

Course starting from 18th May, 2015 offers an introduction in Critical Thinking, with an emphasis on using reason in our daily communication.

Its main topics cover the structure and analysis of arguments, the study of inductive reasoning as basis for scientific knowledge and as key ingredient in how we understand reality.

Communication Course 

“A man is as alive as he can communicate,” L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of scientology wrote. And communication is a facet of life which he explored very deeply.

This course helps you learn the exact formula of successful communication—and how to vastly improve your ability to communicate with anyone.

Better spoken English 

Very often students have to present as a part of college seminars, project work and paper presentations. So it becomes all the more essential to get rid of fear of public speaking. This course with 40+ video lectures on communication skills offers an insight into various aspects of presentation and public speaking skills.

ALSO READ :  10+ Websites to Learn any Language for FREE

Written communication:

Although under rated when compared to verbal communication, writing is often essential for communicating complicated information. As it is something that can be recorded and referred later, it is important to ensure that relevant information is accurate, clear and concise.

Writing Skills

English Grammar and Essay Writing

Improve your English grammar, essay and persuasive writing with this introductory college writing course.

Adventures in Writing 

It is designed to help you learn more about and practice a range of effective written communication skills and to apply what you’ve learned, is offered by Stanford edu.

Non-verbal communication

Sometimes our body language, facial expressions, gestures and even posture can seriously undermine the message contained in our words if we not careful to control them.

A weak hand shake could mean lack of confidence or frowned eyebrows can show displeasure! So it is important to learn how to use non-verbal methods to communicate more effectively.

Business Communication:

Business communication skills

Business Communication: Fundamentals of Business Writing 

This course introduces one to the theory and practice of writing in the modern business environment, so that one can express his thoughts and ideas in a clear, concise, and efficient manner.

Enhance your career and employability skills

This MOOC would be complementary to any additional course of study as it enables you to recognize your own strengths and skills and understand how to best articulate those preferences and achievements to future employers or academic institutions in the future.

Taking this journey forward to leave no stone unturned in your guide to effective communication, below are some great tools and sources online.

  • Warren Buffet once told a class of business students that better communication could boost their value by fifty percent.
  • Forbes mentions this book “What MORE Can I Say,” by Dianna Booher, one of the most recognized business communication gurus, which clearly calls out the parameters of effective business communication.
  • This book How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie is one of the first best-selling self-help books ever published. It can really come handy for you!
  • Check this e-book at free-management-eBooks to understand the basic principles of communication so that you can create an open and honest communications environment in any situation.

Having a little effort, enthusiasm, patience and with so many tools at hand, one is definitely bound to improve their communication skills and advance their personal and professional lives!!

2 Responses to “Guide to improve communication skills”
  1. DR.H.K.LakshmanRao, April 30, 2015
    • DR.H.K.LakshmanRao, April 30, 2015