Communicating Effectively - One of the most important life skill

Developing your communication skills can help all aspects of your life.

Interpersonal Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills are the skills we use when engaged in face-to-face communication with people. What we say is an important way of getting our message across, but using our voice is only the tip of the iceberg. We actually communicate more information using non-verbal signals, gestures, facial expression, eyes, body language even our appearance.Listening is a vital interpersonal communication skill. Hearing is not the same as listening. Reflection and clarification are both common techniques used to ensure that what you have heard and understood is what was intended.

• Consider their feelings

• Become an active listener

• Ask questions

• Include other around

• Think before you speak

Presentation / Public Speaking Skills

Although, for many of us, presentation skills are used infrequently, there will probably be times in your life when you need to present information to a group of people, either in a formal or informal setting.The thought of giving a presentation or talking to a group of people can be very scary. Good planning and practice, can help to lay down the "train tracks" of your thoughts and help lower your fears. Learning how to improvise will allow you to nail your presentation!

• Prepare

• Take deep breaths to refocus

• Invest in your audience

• Slow down

• Unwind

Writing Skills

Communication skills are not limited to direct interaction with other people and the spoken word. The ability to be able to write clearly and effectively is key to communication. Think about the words in the context your using. The more clarity you give, the less change of misunderstanding tone or meaning.

Personal Skills

Personal Skills are the skills that we use to maintain a healthy body and mind they can enhance communication.Developing your personal skills can help with communication processes. Having a deeper understanding of yourself is a trait that can further aid the communication process. Good communication is also linked to coping and handing change. It also allows you to understand better and stand up for what you believe. During times of stress, or when we are angry, we may communicate less effectively. The practice of coping will help with that... (the next article :)