Introduction

The ability to speak and communicate is the only difference between Animals and Human
beings. Its due to effective communications skills that humans interact with one another
as a social being. For a person to progress well in society, only merits are not enough,
only qualifications dont work, the person has powerful communication skills so that he
can put across to others what he wants them to do. Its all fine about communications
skills but the question is how to improve these skills. Firstly, theres much literature on
the net which you can read and utilize in your life. Secondly, you can get books on the
subject and thirdly, you can join NEO in his Corporate English Training and
Communication Classes.
Definition of Communication Skills
Different books and experts define communications skills differently but the most basic
definition is that:
Communication skill is the art and technique of communicating by using oral and
body language to persuade him or bring into him the change that you want him to be.

Thus, Communication skills is the ability to use language and express

information. Communication skills is the set of skills that enables a person to convey
information so that it is received and understood. Communication skills refer to the
behaviors that serve to convey information. Communication skills is the ability an
individual display in consistently to effectively communicate with clients, colleagues,
subordinates, and supervisors in both the professional and personal world.
Types of Communication Skills
There are different types of communication skills. The first communication type is Para
Communication Skills. This type of communication includes communicating with the
divine and with spirits in the form incantations and rituals. Secondly, we
have Interpersonal communication skills. This is direct, face-to-face communication that
occurs between two persons. It is essentially a dialogue or a conversation between two or
more people. This type of communication involves maximum interaction through words
and gestures. Thirdly, we have nonverbal communication skills. This includes aspects
such as body language, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, etc., which also become
a part of the communicating process; as well as the written and typed modes of
communications. No matter what the different types of communication skills are,
communicating is an ever-continuing process that is going on all the time. It is as
important to human life as is day-to-day existence.
The Need for Effective Communication Skills
Communication is one of the essential basis of human existence, yet most people overlook
the need to enhance their communication skills. Effective communication skills are a
must whether it is individual or a group. But how can we effectively communicate? We
can communicate effectively when we understand the stages of interpersonal
communication: The first is the The Phatic Stage. This is the initial stage, which
determines the course of the conversation. This begins with the greetings and
accompanying gestures such as eye contact, the smile, etc. There is usually no intention,
but its just the setting for the next level of the conversation. Next is the The
Personal Stage. This is the second stage in which the individuals bring a more personal
thing into the conversation. Here, we are ready to let the others involve in the
conversation more about themselves and the hesitation decreases. The third stage is the
The Intimate Stage. This stage is mainly meant for conversations between friends, family
and relatives, where those involved in the conversation share a higher level
of intimacy with each other. This stage of communicating usually takes opening ones
heart and sharing rather intimate details, which is not a part of professional
conversations. Professional Conversation doesnt usually reach this stage.
Some Barriers of Communication
Being able to speak doesnt mean being an effective communicator. Communication is
more than speaking. Yes, speaking is an important aspect of communicating but this is
not the only tool. Speaking clearly and effectively is much more important than merely
speaking. We need to focus on non-verbal aspects of communication and overcome the
barriers of communication; otherwise, we cannot communicate well. The most important
barriers of communication are interrogating, criticizing, blaming, moralizing,
threatening, name-calling, eyes flashing, showing quick movements, staring and over
fidgeting. An effective communication can never take place unless we overcome these
barriers. Even the best communicators do feel some communication barriers. There are
usually one or many of these barriers in communication. There are listening barriers
when interrupting people. Sometimes, participants are overzealous so it is difficult to
communication effectively. Also there may be too many questions by the participants
which could be difficult to handle. But speaking barriers are also great hurdles in
communications. The speakers may speak incomplete sentences or transmit unclear
messages. In communication, these barriers post a real problem for communicators.
Verbal Communication
Thoughts automatically keep floating in our mind, but there are very few of us who know
how to express these thoughts and influence the audience. Yes, we can speak about our
ideas and feelings but it is very difficult for some people to communicate these ideas
effectively. Then the common question that arises is: how to improve my communication
skill. Experts in the field of training have found innovative ways and have provided
interesting methods to improve your communication skills. The first thing you need is to
understand the purpose of your communication and understand the process of
communication. Be aware of what others feel and be aware of what is happening around
when you are communicating. Try to understand the needs of communicators. Dig out
the deeper meaning from the conversations of participants so that you can understand
their primary needs and purpose of communication. Clarity is thought is also very
important. One must be focused on the subject at hand and not beat about the bush.
Ambiguity is the greatest hurdle in communication. Try to be exact and direct and avoid
being ambiguous. The most important skill in communication is listening. In fact,
effective communication doesnt start with speaking. It starts with listening and
understanding. So listening emphatically and try to understand what the person says.
Listening also makes the conversation dynamic. Effective Communication ends in a win-
win situation when all the conflicts or problems have been resolved.
What is good communication?
Communication not only affects you as a person but also others who are engaged with
you. Those who dont have good communication skills are either ignored or not related
with in any way. Good communication skills are respected and welcomed by all. Good
communicators are always popular with their fellows. What are good communications?
The following are the major tips you must follow for good communication skills.
A good communicator always maintains an eye contact with the audience. Its due to eye
contact that you can get people involved in you. Thought eye contact, you can always
watch the boy posture of your audience. Their body posture can give you much
information as to what they are thinking of you or whether they are interested in you or
not. Gestures are also of vital importance in communication skills. Use gestures and
expressions as often as possible but they should be a natural part of your communication.
These gestures should not be intrusive in your communication. The last tip for good
communication is practice, practice and practice a lot. You can take a book and start
reading aloud imagining an audience before you. You can also watch a TV program and
mimic their presentations.
What are the key communication Skills?
The key communications that a person must learn in order to be a good communicator
involve the following functions: Taking responsibility for ones messages, Claiming
ownership for ones messages, Preparing to listen, Reflecting on what the speaker has to
say, Being open minded, Acknowledging differences of opinions, Assessing without being
judgmental, Accepting feedback, Ability to share ones thoughts and Feelings, Ability to
resolve conflicts so that it is a win-win for all and Ability to explain objectively without
evaluating. These key skills are important in communication skills. Communication
training has become very important in 21st century so keeping these things in mind,
different communication programs are designed. A good communication program must
have the following key areas: Introduction to Communication Skills, Business
Communication, Improving Speaking, Attentive Listening, using examples and gestures,
being emphatic, initiating the communication process, praising without being
superfluous and Conflict resolution win-win problem solving ability. The above are
some of the general skills which must be in a every communication course.
Personality Development and Communication Skills
Personality is generally defined as the deeply ingrained and relatively enduring patterns
of thought, feeling and behavior. In fact, when one refers to personality,
it generally implies to all what is unique about an individual, the characteristics that
makes one stand out in a crowd. But there are two factors which grow or make up a
persons personality. These are hereditary and environmental factors. But environment
plays a more important role in personality development than hereditary factors. While
classes and training programs can help one grow and develop each day, yet one can
actually climb the personality ladder by being aware of the self, his environment and
hereditary factors. What actually makes a good personality is positive thinking and
accepting the good with the bad and vice versa. Developing a good personality without
any negative tendencies, one needs some mantras to recite each day which actually tell
upon a persons personality later. For example, a person can repeat each and every day,
Every day is a new day, I am full of love today, I have faith in myself and others, I
am an honest and sincere person and I will greet this day with love and my heart and
failure can never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough. These
mantras are important to develop a persons personality and without a good personality,
theres no use of communication skills.
Corporate English Training and Soft Skills
Corporate English Training (CET) is effective customized in-house English Training
Courses and Workshops for the company staff. When it comes to training in corporate
English there are two important aspects: Written English Skills and Spoken English
Skills. Together, they make Communication Skills because one needs to communicate in
written as well as spoken mode of communication. Corporate English itself has certain
features which make it a distinctive type of English. For example, people dont stand
gender-specific language. One must finish what one has started. One should be direct and
not mince words. In Corporate English Training, what we need most is Soft Skills. The
driving force in every company is its employees. In order for employees to perform better,
their trainings are conducted. Among these trainings soft skills are the most important.
According to Human Resource heads of various leading enterprises, regular training in
soft skills, helps the company as a whole, as the result of such a training is to motivate the
staff members. Soft skill refers to self-management. Every employee has to be a qualified
self-manager. The soft skills, are the essential skills required to make an individual and
adept self-manager. Someone who can manage the self, and other selves in order to be
able to perform above expectations, or at least at par; but
definitely not below. The soft skills include courtesy, honesty, personal integrity,
adaptability, Verbal Communication Skills, Team Skills, Written and Spoken
Communication, Critical Thinking and Grooming.
Conclusion
In short, it is evident that Communication Skills is not one single skill rather it is a
combination of many inter-related skills yoked together to achieve an end. The article is
only a basic introduction to the communication skills. For further study, you can study
books or get enrolled in a course by NEO. Thanks.