You carry many identities within you. Area sales manager. CEO. Chef. Head of accounts. Homemaker. Entrepreneur. YouTuber. Parent. Part-time painter. Professional dancer. Gardener. Baker. Foodie. The list goes on.
To improve your communication skills, there is an identity that you must embrace: the identity of a student. Yes, you read that right. Look in the mirror. There is a student gazing at you. Just because you’ve left college, that doesn’t mean you have to stop learning.
Where is your classroom? Your classroom is your office. It’s your laptop at home. It’s the unopened newspaper on the table. It’s that Netflix series you are binging on. It’s your favorite business website. It’s the device you are using right now to read this post.
Who is your teacher? You have many. Your clients who send you emails are your teachers. So are the Tedx speakers who inhabit YouTube. So are the ads you see on billboards. In short, your teachers are everywhere. The question is, are you open to being taught?
When I conduct corporate training sessions, what strikes me is the limited range of people’s vocabulary. They are fluent in the jargon of their field. They have good domain expertise. But, when they need to express their views on unfamiliar topics, they are at a loss for words. They are often stumped when they are asked to talk about social issues, culture, and the environment.
The higher up the corporate ladder you climb, the greater will be the demands on your communication skills. As you progress up the ranks, there will be times when you need to present to a wider, more diverse, audience. There will be times when you need to explain complex systems to people from outside your sector. There will be times when you need to be diplomatic to not offend investors or clients. There will be times when you need to speak about broader issues such as employment, climate change, and ethics. For all those times, you would need to speak fluently, effectively, and confidently. To do so, you would need to have a wide range of vocabulary that you could immediately access.
Build your vocabulary
How can you enrich your vocabulary? Be more aware of the words and phrases around you. If you have a client who communicates effectively, find out why. When she writes emails, what phrases does she use? Could you use those same phrases when you write emails?
To learn in a more structured manner, visit BBC Learning English . There will be some words you are familiar with. But, there will be many words that you are not. Be open. Read the definitions for expressions you do not know. And check the ones you think you know. You may not know the precise meaning of a familiar word or phrase. You may be in for a surprise.
Do not use ‘fancy’ words to show off. Use words appropriately. Use the right word at the right time in the right context. Usually, simple words are sufficient. Remember, it’s not just what you say that matters, but also how you say it that matters too.
Listen for phrases you can use
When you watch a panel discussion, how do the panelists interact? Good speakers weave a narrative by referring to what was said before. They are not making isolated statements, but are interacting with one another, creating a coherent, meaningful conversation. Pay attention to the phrases that are used to refer to what was said before. For example, ‘I would like to build on what X just said.’ Or: ‘I partially agree with you, however…’ Could you use such phrases in your next zoom meeting?
Improve your pronunciation
Pronouncing words is a tricky affair. A problem with pronunciation is that when everyone around you is pronouncing a word incorrectly, you do not question that way of pronunciation. How can you escape this invisible loop? Doubt yourself. Personally, I have been often surprised when I checked words I thought I knew how to pronounce. I wish you many such moments. Cambridge dictionary is my go to dictionary.
The magic of awareness
Do you know what is essential for improving your communication skills? Awareness is the key that unlocks the door to better communication skills. Only you can open it.
Be aware of the spoken and written language around you. Be curious about a new word, phrase, or expression. Google it. Think about it. Absorb it. Notice if you come across it again. Decide if it would work for you. If it does, use it. If it doesn’t, no worries. Let it go. Whatever happens, you are expanding your language horizon.
Despite your busy schedule, you’ve read till the end. Bravo! Now, I have a gift for you. It is something that will last forever. That gift is: awareness.
Use it well.
Image credit: Pinterest
amalfabian 