5 tips for Effective Communication Skills
Speech and language therapy can help you excel in all aspects of your life, from the classroom to the boardroom. At Therapy Works Together our team of licensed and experienced speech therapists provide personalized online coaching to help you become a more effective communicator. Here we listed some tips for effective communication skills that can help anyone in the workplace be a better and more confident communicator with their team.
1. Be Heard
If you are speaking inaudibly or too softly, this can influence how you are interpreted. It’s important to practice projection. At Therapy Works Together we like to call this your “confident voice”. This is one of the most important (although simple) tips for effective communication skills.
Another positive way to make yourself heard is to eliminate “fillers”. Fillers are words like “um”, “uh”, and “like” and they can undermine your overall message. A helpful strategy is to replace these fillers with conscious pauses.
It’s also important to be clear with your message. Clarity can be achieved by keeping your message simple and concise.
In some causes, it may be relevant to develop strategies for reducing anxiety while speaking. Speech-language pathologists are equipped with these types of strategies and can help you to practice this skill.
2. Be Honest
Being a leader means being honest and not shying away from confrontation. When handling a problem with an employee or a client, remember to ask questions and listen well, as this will inform your actions and resolution. Always treat the person with respect as you move swiftly towards positive solutions.
3. Know Your Audience Well
Tips for effective communication skills would not be complete without this on the list. There is an important distinction between the way you communicate with colleagues and the way you communicate with clients, patients, or customers. Just as you communicate differently with your best friend than you do your boss, it’s key to know your audience and the communication-etiquette that is associated with each type of relationship.
Additionally, regardless of which category of relationship you’re dealing with (colleague, client, superior), everyone has their own preferred communication style. Some people dislike long-winded conversations, or might prefer not to communicate first thing Monday morning. Keeping these preferences in mind will enhance your interactions.
RELATED: Accent Modification for Adults.
4. Non-Verbal Communication Matters
Of course the studies vary, but (in the neighborhood of) 80% of communication is actually non-verbal. Non-verbal communication has a way of saying all the things you are not verbalizing so it is very important to pay attention to the details of what your body is projecting.
Suppose you’ve had a personal mishap with a family member on the phone during your lunch hour and you are still frowning and visibly displeased when you return to work. Your colleagues may misinterpret these cues as directed at them and you could seem unapproachable as a result.
Try to be as mindful as possible about your body language, gestures, posture, facial expressions and nonverbal communication in general as these behaviors have a large bearing on the overall impression you’re making.
5. Be OK with Feedback
Good ideas do not only come from the top. It’s important to give all voices an equal opportunity to be heard. Feedback is also an excellent way to gain some insight into your own communication style and how you’re being perceived. Encouraging feedback facilitates open lines of communication.
At Therapy Works Together we are committed to recognizing the nuanced approaches necessary when working with adults.
Our experienced team is committed to supporting you, whether you’re preparing for interviews, developing your authoritative voice, or working to become more concise, we can help you to reach your communication goals.
Tips for Effective Communication Skills Can be Practiced Online
Online coaching for communication skills improvement is a convenient and effective way for adults to achieve their communication goals from home or office (or their home office these days). Our online therapy sessions are live and interactive with communication coaches skilled in a variety of strategies to help maximize skills to be a better manager and employee. Coaches discuss your goals, which are tailor-made for each your role at work.
Here are just some of the benefits of using online speech therapy:
- Receiving speech therapy from home eliminates transportation concerns and travel time
- It helps those who live in rural areas conveniently get the treatment they need
- It removes the hassle of going to in-person appointments and improves attendance
- Allows for straightforward generalization of goals into everyday life
- Facilitates caregiver involvement
Is a Speech-Language Pathologist the Best Communication Coach?
A public speaking coach with a master’s degree in speech pathology is the most qualified professional to help with your communication concerns. Speech-language pathologists are communication experts. It is natural for us to work with individuals who would like to improve public speaking skills for professional or personal reasons.
We have a deep understanding of the anatomy and physiology of speech and a strong background in phonetics. We have been trained extensively in the methods to improve voice, grammar, vocabulary, and articulation. With our knowledge and experiences, we can quickly determine each person’s unique needs and identify the primary areas to focus on during training.
At Therapy Works Together, our public speaking coaches have met rigorous educational and clinical qualifications, including a master’s degree. They have been awarded the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
What is Involved in a Communication Skills Coaching Assessment?
Our assessments are client-centered, meaning that we will take the time to listen and determine personal goals. We will record and listen to your speech carefully during a reading of simple words, sentences, and longer speech samples. We may also conduct a voice assessment involving a vocal analysis using state-of-the-art instrumentation.
Our communication coach can recommend an estimated number of meetings to accomplish your goals. We expect clients to attend all sessions and practice diligently.
How Does Communication Training Work?
Our approach involves exercises, materials, real-life practice suggestions, objective feedback, and a set of tools to help clients improve their communication skills. Treatment can address vocal characteristics, such as pitch and intonation, and nonverbal communication patterns, such as gestures and facial expressions.
Private Coaching From the Comfort of Your Home or Office
Sessions are private (one-to-one), live, interactive, and held using teleconference, making it convenient to attend communication skills training from your home or office. All that is needed to participate in private meetings with our communication coach is a computer or tablet and an internet connection. At Therapy Works Together, we use a completely confidential and secure HIPAA-compliant video conferencing version of Zoom. We offer convenient scheduling throughout the week, during the day, and evenings after work.
Now that you know our top tips for effective communication skills, you’ll be please to know that our communication coaching programs are customized to meet the needs of each individual. Program length is based on the information gathered during the initial assessment. By the end of the training, you can expect to improve your public speaking skills, speak with greater confidence, and be consistently understood by listeners.
Therapy Works Together – Online Speech Therapy for Children and Adults
We care about every child and adult achieving their speech, language and communication goals. You can start speech therapy online now with a certified speech language therapist. We’ll discuss your personal needs, develop an individualized treatment plan, and schedule affordable online therapy sessions online at your convenience.
