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Winding steps
to a successful career? We suggest a short cut.
Here are a few tips to take you higher up the corporate ladder- articles
on stress management, managing change, workplace hassles and more.
It's only words
What professionals need to know about communication skills.
Yawn!
Boring speeches and it is time for you to catch up on some daydreaming.
Wishing that the speaker had better communication skills you gaze unhappily
out of the window, a far away look in your eyes!
Or it could be a colleague who is blissfully unaware of the grammar faux
pas he is committing and highlighting his ignorance.
Either ways, lack of communication skills impedes progress and tarnishes the image of an individual. Studies reveal that persons possessing powerful communication skills stand a better chance of being successful and have an easier climb up the corporate ladder. (In simple words, present yourself the ‘gift of the gab).
There’s more to language skills than just good grammar and spelling. It is using the right word at the right time in order to get the right message across. To improve communication skills, try this.
Spot a mentor
When you know that you cannot express your thoughts adequately, you need to make a conscious effort to improve. Look for a person who is good at using the right word at the right time and communicate to him (this would be your first step) that you need an honest appraisal of your communication skills. Request the person to help you improve your communication skills by correcting you when you go wrong and give the right input when needed.
Better your speech through proactive measures. Decide on some phrases or styles that you might like to emulate depending on the situation. Understand the usage. Write down sentences you would like to use. Make a list of words you’ve picked up recently and go over them once in a while and don’t forget to use them too! Use the language in regular conversations with your wife and your boss (i.e. if there is a difference)
Nitty-gritty
Read magazines, newspapers and books (change your concept of a bible for a while) all the time if you are genuinely keen on improving your language. This would give you valuable exposure to words and the way they are used. Keep a dictionary at hand to capture the meaning of words that you discover and upload it into your personal memory. Reading helps you increase your vocabulary and refines your speech. It also improves your command over the language in terms of usage and fluency.
Attune
Listening to someone else express is as important as expressing what’s
on your mind. Try to give the person at the other end enough room to express
his ideas before you take over the conversation or jump to a conclusions
(again, don’t put your foot in your mouth). Putting yourself in
the listener’s shoes and treating him the way you would want to
be treated.
Seen and heard
Effective communication can be used to leverage the potential of your subordinates and engage in persuasive conversations in order to motivate them. It comes handy while negotiating deals and managing people. Being assertive with a certain amount of authority and articulation makes you a leader right away.
Give the sentence some thought and formulate your ideas before you put it into words. Especially in a business environment, other than your qualification it is being articulate that will take you miles into the good books of your boss. (Valuable tip: being articulate and confident can even get you out of trouble when at times, you put your foot into your own mouth).
Working on improving your communication skills will yield rewards in due time. Paying more attention to improving and sharpening your communication skills can pay high dividends.
Anyways, you can always use this article as a perfect example of articulate communication.
(I have a question: I heard of a new word today, "modesty". Any ideas on what it means??).
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