Verbal communication may seem as simple as opening your mouth to speak, but in fact it comprises different dimensions of words, inflections, speed, volume and the way you position your body. It is a cycle of delivering a message, understanding the message and providing feedback on the message delivered, not just about talking or waiting to speak.
Use Your Voice
Verbal communication, for obvious reasons, requires using your voice, a very powerful tool that often is overlooked. According to Erupting Mind, the most important thing to remember is that your voice communicates a lot more than just the words you are using. For example, the pitch, words, loudness and speed you use send different emotional and character messages. Using these techniques also makes you a more dynamic speaker. Rather than just droning on about your message, carefully place pauses and voice inflections to enforce certain points and break up the pattern and rhythm of your speech to make your information more interesting.
Compare your communication technique to a horror film. The music intensifies in volume and frequency until that final moment when the heroine is suddenly terrified and the audience jumps in fear. Action movies achieve the same results. The audience is glued to the screen as the music tempo increases with the hero and villain entangled in battle, suddenly the music stops and something blows up! Your voice should do the same.
Use Your Ears
Good verbal communication is not just the act of sending a dynamic message, but also your ability to receive one. Listening is not about you hearing the words, rather understanding the message. Christian Life Coaching warns that most people spend the time they should be listening thinking instead about what they are going to say next. Instead of concentrating on what the person is saying, you are simply waiting to speak. Try to clear your mind of the many things racing through it so that you can concentrate on the other person.
Actively listening to what someone is saying to you can be achieved using different feedback skills. Paraphrasing is a feedback skill that requires you to put in your own words the facts of what the other person said. Reflecting is another feedback skill that focuses either with empathy or sympathy on the emotions and feelings of what the person said. Questioning is a feedback skill that helps you clarify certain points of the conversation. Use caution because liberally questioning will give the impression that you are not paying any attention.
Use Your Body
Communication is not just about what is said and what is heard, it is also about what is seen. Body language is a form of communication that can give away what you are really feeling or thinking. According to Body Language Expert, 7 percent of communication comes from the literal meaning of the words, 38 percent accounts for the tone of voice you use, but your body language accounts for 55 percent of the overall message. Watch for subtle body clues as to the person's true demeanor also ensures that you are not sending mixed body signals.
Do your part to pay attention to your body language. Sit upright while slightly leaning into the person. This posture signals your attention and interest in what is being said. Make eye contact whenever possible though it may make you or the other person uncomfortable. Wandering eyes signal that your attention is elsewhere. Gestures are also important. Nod your head when acknowledging a point or emotion to signal it was received. Sit with your arms open if possible. Crossed arms and legs signal that you are closed-minded and not receptive to what the person has to say.
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