Communication is the basis for any industry. You could be a business owner, freelancer, or an employee; you will need strong communications skills to survive. Good communications can lead to extraordinary steps in your career. On the other hand, poor communication can swiftly destroy your reputation.
Let’s discuss the types of communication and how you can improve on all counts.
The Types Of Communication
Broadly, we divide communication skills into four categories. These are:
- Written: When you send a message, email, letter, create reports, press releases, or post on social media, you’re engaging in written communication. What you’re reading at present is a form of written communication.
- Visual: Photographs, drawings, sketches, etc. are all examples of visual communication. It’s what you get from seeing something. Infographics are a part of written and visual communication.
- Verbal: It’s what you express to another person by speaking with words.
- Non-verbal: What comes across to another person through your tone, gestures, and facial expression. This type of communication has the highest chance of creating misunderstandings.
Public speakers should have Verbal and Non-verbal skills. In addition, writers, company employees, and Graphic Designers need written and visual skills. A successful individual should have all.
How to improve your communication skills
Communication skills are something you should work on daily. A strategic approach can help you improve quickly. Here are some ways you can improve your communications skills:
Decide which skills you want to focus on
While you want to improve your communication skills across all categories, starting with one is better. Ask your family, friends, and colleagues about what they think is your weakest skills. For example, maybe you are a good presenter but have a tough time writing emails without sounding passive-aggressive.
Observe good communicators
Who are the people you like spending time with? The ones who tell long-winded stories, and you don’t feel like interrupting them? They are excellent communicators in your life. They might be your family members, friends, or colleagues. So put on your glasses and see how they act. Notice their body language, how they punctuate their words, when they take a breath and when they don’t.
If you don’t have anyone in your life you can observe, you can try YouTubers, celebrities, or influencers. These people get famous because they’re experts at communication, even if some have more exuberant styles than others.
Ask for feedback
While you work on your skills, regularly check in with those adept at the skills you’re practicing. Ask them to point out what you’re doing right and wrong so you have a plan to go on.
Go to workshops
Depending on the skill you primarily focus on, you could go to communication workshops, seminars, or online or offline classes. You could also find a coach who will teach you.
Tailor your communication style
People from different backgrounds, demographic, gender, and sexuality all face specific challenges at work. If you’re in a privileged position, it’s on you to educate yourself on their daily hurdles and tailor your communication style to match theirs. Using gender-inclusive language or placing alt text for pictures can go a long way.
It’s not about being a good communicator here, either. It’s about being a human being and making room for others’ difficulties.
Start Practicing
Once you have the basics down, start practicing. If it’s your verbal skills, you want to go out and talk to strangers. If it’s written skills, get on social media and start posting. You will find feedback on how people respond to you.
Final Thoughts
Your communication skills are not only an asset on the job but also when you’re searching for one. Your interviewers are more likely to hire you if you come across as professional on all communication counts. So brush up your communication skills and apply at BCJobs for your dream company.
About the Author
BCjobs.ca is Western Canada’s largest job board, with the majority of the jobs coming from Vancouver. For nearly 20 years, BC Jobs has connected job candidates with companies looking to add talent to their teams. Here at BCJobs, we understand that looking for a job is difficult. To support our candidates, we recently launched a podcast to help you stand out during your job application. Listen to weekly episodes on our podcast to hear what recruiters are thinking and what companies look for when considering their next hire.
