3 Tips for Good Communication

Regardless of whether you need to communicate in a classroom, a board room or face-to-face with a loved one, you will communicate much more clearly and effectively if you think about how your words and body language affect your ability to get your point across. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for successful communication.

1. Use clear, simple words and phrasing

One of the most common mistakes that people make when trying to communicate is to use complex language. Uncommon words can distract listeners and create unwanted barriers to communication. Try to use simple, concise language wherever possible. This is especially important when you are writing or giving a public speech.

You should also watch sentence length. It’s OK to write or speak with long sentences, but try to vary word length from one sentence to the next. For instance, if you use a long sentence, try to make sure that the next few sentences are short. This will allow you to communicate your ideas more succinctly and effectively.

2. Understand the limits of different methods of communication

If you are giving a speech or talking one-on-one with a coworker, you will need to pay close attention to your body language to make sure that you are communicating effectively. On the other hand, if you are writing a letter or an article, you need to pay close attention to tone. You will use the same basic concepts to get your point across, but you should carefully note the differences between different forms of communication.

3. Have a plan

Never try to communicate without planning your points. Think about how to effectively convey your message and proceed logically from one point to the next.

With some quick planning and attention to your language and communication methods, you can easily get concepts across to your listeners for great results.