Have you ever given much thought to how you communicate nonverbally? Here are some thoughts on ways to use nonverbal communication to support what you’re saying: 5. Yes, your nonverbal communication has a major impact on how well you communicate. What you say affects how you communicate, certainly, but just as important is what you don’t say. And we can be-if we work at it and practice, practice, practice! Nonverbal Communication Do you like to listen to people who speak at one speed, in one tone, with a boring vocabulary and without emotion? Of course not! Then we should make every effort to be colorful and effective communicators. Anytime we communicate in a single way, we become predictable and people stop listening. In all of these principles, the idea is variety. The key is to get it just right-enunciating so that your words don’t run together but not over-enunciating so that you sound unnatural. Clear enunciation gives a little “punch” to our communication. It’s imperative to clearly enunciate our words so that people understand us. Enunciationĭo you speak clearly so people can understand you? Enunciation is an often-overlooked key to effective communication. Emotion, if controlled, is a powerful communicator. Allowing yourself to laugh will communicate that you have a fun side and do not take yourself too seriously. Allowing yourself to cry can show a side of you to others that communicates that you are a person of passion who, while being a hard-charging person who desires success, also has a tender side. For example, showing anger can communicate that you are very serious about something (as long as you don’t get angry often). The key here is to show emotion without “getting emotional.” Emotions can be a very effective communicator. The emotions you communicate while speaking are vital. Even in a one-on-one conversation, we can shift and change volume, keeping our communication more effective. The audience doesn’t even know that the speaker is taking them on a roller coaster ride of communication. Master communicators will draw their audience in by fluctuating their voice from very loud to a near whisper. A slow pace usually communicates thoughtfulness or that you really want them to hear your point.Ĭhoosing your pace is like using your volume in an effective way.
A fast pace will communicate that you’re excited about something.
The speed with which you speak will tell others certain things. Sometimes when you speak you may need to go slowly, and sometimes you may need to go very fast. We want lots of color and lots of tone.Īlong with the words you use and your tone of voice, consider your pace. Imagine if a painter only used one color. Changing the tone of your voice is a very effective way to draw people into your message. What tone are you using? When you speak, are you monotone? Or do you fluctuate the tone of your voice, changing it up? This will naturally help people follow what you’re saying. Just as important as what you say is how you say it. The best communicators will use an expanded vocabulary with more educated groups and a more basic vocabulary with less educated groups. Your vocabulary can reveal your level of education, and others may make judgments about you that can affect your opportunities with them. It enhances the communication process and draws others in.
When you speak, use your words carefully. They have the power to move nations and they have the power to destroy as well. It’s been said that people judge you by the words you use, and this is true.
Let’s look at the different ways you can use each to improve your ability to communicate: Verbal Communication 1. The two primary categories these tools fall into are verbal and nonverbal. The better you become at using these tools, the better you’ll be at communicating. There are many tools available to you as you communicate you just have to be aware of them and then use them purposefully. But the advanced artist knows there are many tools available to create their masterpiece, and they use each to their advantage. Now, most people assume that when painting a picture, they have only a few basic brushes at their disposal. When we’re attempting to get our message out to others, it’s as though we start with a giant blank canvas and then begin to paint a picture, any picture we desire. “The art of communication”-I like that phrase.