Communication skills allow you to give and understand information verbally. Even in a working environment communication skill are asked by employers and included as one of the most commonly requested skills in 2020 job posting. Having a great communication skill can help you both advance your career and improve your image on those around you. In this article, we will discuss the five of the most needed communication skills and the importance of it in daily life.
1. Active Listening
Active listening means paying close attention to who you are communicating with by engaging with them, asking questions and rephrasing. In day-to-day conversations, whether it is with family or friends, it is often happens that you forget and lose focus on what they are actually saying, and instead focusing too much on what you are going to say. By practicing active listen, you can build respect and increase understanding with those around you.
As you actively listen, you focus more on the speaker, and respond thoughtfully to comments or opinions. Improve your active listening abilities by paying attention to other people’s facial expressions, body language and tone. Avoid distractions such as cell phones and instead focus to the speaker.
Rather than preparing what you are going to say, focus on what the other person is saying and how they are saying it. If you need them to explain something again or clarify themselves, ask follow-up questions or rephrase what they’ve said to confirm that you understood them correctly.
2. Friendliness
Friendly can be understand as honesty and kindness. It can help to improve trust and understanding when talking with someone. By going and communicating with a positive attitude in mind, it can help you understand where they are coming from.
Do not forget to keep an open mind and ask question to the other person, so you can understand them better. Small gestures such as asking someone how they are doing, smiling as they speak or offering praise for the things, that they have done, can help you deepen the relationships you have with them.
Confidence
In daily life, people are more likely to react positively to ideas that are presented with confidence. It also improves your image to the other person and ease the situation. It could also unconsciously help the other person to be more talkative to you. There are many ways to appear confident, including making eye contact when you are addressing someone, sitting up straight with your shoulders open and maintaining a straight but relaxed posture.
Empathy
Having empathy means that you can not only understand, but also share in the emotions of others. This communication skill is important in both group and one-on-one settings. In both cases, you will need to understand other people’s emotions to have an appropriate response.
Nonverbal cues
A great deal of communication happens through nonverbal cues without us realizing. Things such as body language, facial expressions, and eye contact. When you are listening to someone, you should not on only pay attention to what they are saying, but also their nonverbal language. Vice versa, you should be conscious of your own body language when you are communicating to ensure you are sending appropriate cues to others.
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