The ability to communicate effectively is an art that you can apply to every aspect of your life, from your work to education to relationships and parenting. Though some people seem to be born with a natural gift of communication, there are certain qualities of communication you can learn to develop over time as well.
Knowing Your Audience
This is a key quality of effective communicators because it helps you form not only what you say, but how you say it, which differs when you are, for example, communicating with your parents, your teachers and your children. Always knowing and keeping your audience in mind helps empower you to communicate in the way that is most meaningful for the people you are communicating with or for.
Eye Contact
Effective communicators are those who maintain eye contact with you while you or they are speaking and nod every once in a while to assure you they are listening.
Listening
Effective communicators are able to listen intently to others by understanding the body language clues that communicate more about how a person is feeling than his words can relay. Effective communicators ask clarifying questions and paraphrase what others have said to make sure they understand the messages properly. They do not interrupt you while you are speaking.
Clarity
Good communicators speak clearly, enunciate their words correctly and talk briskly and briefly. They get straight to the point without getting too far off-track.
Enthusiasm
Effective communicators radiate a sense of energy, excitement and friendliness when they speak (assuming, of course, that this is appropriate for the situation and not in the midst of, for example, a funeral). USA Today reports that effective communicators have a powerful handshake and personal presence. They sit and stand up straight with their shoulders back. Effective communicators do not stutter, fidget, bite their lips or roll their eyes, as all these nonverbal cues can indicate sarcasm and lack of self-esteem.
Providing Praise
Effective communicators praise others for their contributions. USA Today reports that good communicators praise others frequently and publicly and link their praise to specific qualities, activities or attributes of others around them. Providing praise is a quality of effective communicators because it enables them to maintain supportive relationships with others.
Thinking Before Responding
USA Today reports that effective communicators take their time to carefully consider their responses, particularly when faced with challenging situations. They often visualize and practice what they will say to others in advance.
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