Effective Communication - How to Build Communication Skills

Young Entrepreneurs Forum

8 Nov 202003:06

Summary

TLDRThis video emphasizes the importance of effective communication in daily interactions, explaining how the way we communicate can either enhance or damage relationships. It highlights the difference between a communicator, who takes responsibility for the message, and a spokesperson, who passes on messages from others. Key skills for becoming a better communicator include planning, asking questions, using the right tone and body language, and seeking feedback. The video underscores that non-verbal cues often speak louder than words, and mastering these can greatly improve communication.

Takeaways

🎤 Communication can either destroy or enhance relationships, and it's a tool we use daily.
👥 The way we communicate and the responses we receive are more important than the content itself.
💡 Effective communication requires taking ownership of the message, not just delivering it like a spokesperson.
📚 Verifying facts and providing clarification when needed are essential for good communication.
✍️ To be a better communicator, you should take notes, plan in advance, and give detailed instructions.
🤔 Asking questions and slowing down your delivery are key techniques to ensure you're understood.
🎨 Using visual aids, voice modulation, and emphasis can enhance the clarity and impact of your message.
🗣️ A friendly, confident tone is more effective, while a whiny or demanding tone can be off-putting.
🙌 Body language plays a significant role in communication and often affects others on a subconscious level.
🔄 Asking for feedback is a valuable, cost-effective way to grow as a communicator, both formally and informally.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of communication, as described in the script?
-The main purpose of communication is to either enhance or destroy relationships, depending on how it is used. Effective communication is key to building positive relationships with others.
Why is the method of communication more important than the content?
-The method of communication is more important than the content because how you communicate can influence how your message is received and understood. The way you deliver the message can either clarify or obscure the meaning.
What is the difference between being a communicator and a spokesperson?
-A communicator owns the message, takes responsibility for it, and can provide clarifications. A spokesperson, on the other hand, passes on messages prepared by others and may not be able to clarify or enhance the message.
What are some key skills to become a more effective communicator?
-Key skills for effective communication include being prepared, planning in advance, giving clear instructions, asking questions, slowing down delivery, using visual aids, and practicing good voice modulation.
How can voice tone impact communication?
-Voice tone can greatly impact communication. For example, a whiny or demanding tone can turn off the listener, while a friendly and confident tone is more likely to be effective and well-received.
Why is body language important in communication?
-Body language is important because it often speaks louder than words. Even if your words and tone are saying one thing, your body language can send a completely different message, which people pick up on subconsciously.
What is the role of non-verbal communication according to the script?
-Non-verbal communication, such as body language, plays a crucial role in how messages are received. It often affects the listener on a subconscious level and can influence their response without them realizing it.
Why is asking for feedback essential for growth as a communicator?
-Asking for feedback is essential because it allows communicators to learn and improve. It provides insights into how others perceive their communication and offers opportunities for both formal and informal growth.
What are some tips for ensuring you are understood when giving instructions?
-Some tips for ensuring understanding when giving instructions include being detailed, asking questions to confirm comprehension, slowing down delivery, and using visual aids if appropriate.
How can one improve their communication skills over time?
-Improving communication skills is an ongoing journey. Regularly seeking feedback from others, practicing key techniques like voice modulation and body language awareness, and continuously refining one’s approach are important steps.

Outlines

00:00

📢 The Power of Communication

Communication is a fundamental tool that can either enhance or damage our relationships. We communicate with various people daily, including friends, family, and colleagues. The key to effective communication is not just what we say, but how we say it. There's a distinction between a communicator and a spokesperson—the former takes ownership of the message and offers clarification, while the latter simply delivers messages prepared by others without the capacity for elaboration.

📝 Steps to Becoming a More Effective Communicator

To improve communication skills, several techniques can be employed: taking notes, planning in advance, giving detailed instructions, asking clarifying questions, and slowing down delivery. Using visual aids and voice modulation—hesitation, emphasis—can make messages clearer. A recap of the information can help ensure understanding. Additionally, paying attention to body language and voice tone is crucial, as both play a large role in how messages are received.

🗣️ The Importance of Tone in Communication

Voice tone greatly influences how a message is perceived. A whiny or demanding tone can put people off, even if the content of the message is reasonable. On the other hand, a friendly and confident tone is far more effective. The tone often sets the emotional backdrop of the conversation, making it a vital tool for effective communication.

💬 The Power of Body Language

Non-verbal communication, particularly body language, plays a significant role in communication. Many people send mixed signals—what their body language says may contradict their words and voice tone. Often, the non-verbal message is stronger, even though people are generally unaware of its influence. Effective communicators understand this dynamic and work on aligning their verbal and non-verbal cues.

🚀 Continuous Improvement in Communication

Becoming an effective communicator is an ongoing journey. There is always room for improvement, and one of the most effective ways to grow is by seeking feedback from others. Feedback, whether formal or informal, is invaluable for professional development. Actively pursuing feedback helps communicators refine their skills over time.

👍 Liking, Sharing, and Subscribing

This section encourages viewers to like, share, and subscribe to the channel for future content if they found the video helpful. It wraps up the video by engaging the audience to stay connected for more informative videos.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Communication

Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, or feelings with others. The video emphasizes that communication is powerful and can either destroy or enhance relationships. The focus is not only on what is communicated but also on how it is done, highlighting the importance of effective communication in personal and professional interactions.

💡Ownership of the Message

Taking ownership of the message refers to the responsibility a communicator has over what they are communicating. The video distinguishes between a communicator, who fully understands and takes responsibility for the message, and a spokesperson, who simply delivers someone else's message without the same level of accountability. Owning the message involves clarifying and verifying information.

💡Subject Matter Expertise

Subject matter expertise is the knowledge and proficiency in a specific topic. The video highlights the importance of being knowledgeable about the content you are communicating. It stresses the need to verify facts and figures to ensure credibility and accuracy when communicating, especially when taking ownership of a message.

💡Voice Tone

Voice tone refers to the quality, pitch, and attitude reflected in one’s voice when speaking. The video points out that tone can greatly affect how a message is received. For example, a whiny or demanding tone may turn people off, while a friendly and confident tone can be more persuasive and effective in communication.

💡Body Language

Body language is the non-verbal communication conveyed through posture, gestures, and facial expressions. The video stresses that body language can speak louder than words and that misalignment between verbal communication and body language can send mixed messages, often subconsciously affecting the listener’s perception.

💡Feedback

Feedback is the process of receiving responses or evaluations from others about one’s performance or communication. The video encourages seeking feedback as a way to grow professionally and improve communication skills. Feedback can be formal or informal and is one of the most cost-effective methods of development.

💡Clarification

Clarification is the act of making something clearer or more understandable. In communication, especially when taking ownership of a message, it's essential to be able to clarify the information being shared. The video suggests that good communicators should be prepared to offer clarifications when needed to ensure that the message is understood correctly.

💡Listening

Listening is the active process of receiving and understanding spoken or non-verbal communication. The video stresses the importance of asking questions and paying attention to the listener’s feedback. Active listening helps ensure that communication is a two-way process and that the message is being properly understood.

💡Non-verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication includes all forms of communication without words, such as gestures, facial expressions, and body language. The video explains that non-verbal cues often communicate more than words themselves, and they play a crucial role in how the message is received by others, even subconsciously.

💡Summarization and Recap

Summarization and recap refer to reviewing and condensing the key points of a message. The video recommends giving a quick review of the information covered during a conversation to ensure clarity and understanding. This technique helps reinforce important points and enhances communication effectiveness.

Highlights

Communication is a powerful tool that can either destroy or enhance relationships.

We communicate daily with friends, family, colleagues, and many others.

What you communicate is not as important as how you communicate.

The key difference between a communicator and a spokesperson is ownership of the message.

Communicators take responsibility for their message and provide clarifications.

Subject matter expertise and verifying facts are critical for effective communication.

Spokespersons pass on prepared messages and cannot provide clarification or enhancement.

Effective communication requires preparation, detailed instructions, and engagement with listeners.

Using visual aids and modulating voice tone can improve communication.

The non-verbal, such as body language, speaks louder than verbal communication.

Voice tone significantly impacts how messages are received.

Confident and friendly tones are more effective in communication than whiny or demanding tones.

Body language can send unintended signals that affect the receiver subconsciously.

Effective communication is a continuous journey with room for improvement.

Feedback, both formal and informal, is essential for professional growth in communication.