The Best Handful of Tips 54 – Communication Secrets

To get your ideas accepted by people keep to the basic communication skills. These skills are simple but are often forgotten.

Five ways to improve your communication skills

1.  Talk their language

There are many forms of the English language spoken in different countries. Use words that are understood by the people you are communicating with.  

Today, because of telecommunications, most people speak some form of English.  Take care you don’t use words native to your country.  

2. Find out what people want to know 

It’s what people want to know that’s important, not necessarily what you want to tell them.

Find out what is worrying them. Be patient and tolerant of their concerns and complaints.

Try to find out where people get their ideas and information from and target these areas.

3. Ask simple questions

There is no substitute for asking questions like ‘What?’, ‘Why?’, ‘When?’, ‘Where?’, ‘How?’, and ‘How much?’.  Don’t give up until you get satisfactory answers. Communication must be a two way affair.

Don’t be in a hurry to impose your ideas until you have consulted with others. When people are consulted they will support changes more readily. So involve them in discussions and decision-making.

4. Listen carefully

You will please more people by listening to them than by talking to them. Give them your undivided attention and they will often give you new information.

5. Make your writing easy to read

Choose simple words. Use the smallest word you can find that has the right meaning.

Use short sentences and short paragraphs with plenty of sub-headings and white spacing.

Edit heavily. Removing jargon and words that some people may not understand.

You are more likely to have your words shared and translated into foreign languages if you follow these simple recommendations.

This year aim to keep all your messages simple and clear. You will be well rewarded.

-Geoffrey Moss

“Choose your words carefully – to express, not to impress.”

SOURCE: “Persuasive Ways” published by Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand and in Chinese by the Shanghai People’s Publishing House and as “Secrets of Persuasion” by Cengage Learning Asia. Also published in Hungarian as “Getting Your Ideas Across” by  Bagolyvar Kft, Budapest and by Kogan Page Ltd., U.K.

Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com.