Communication Skills Activities

There are a few things that are involved in devising all effective communication strategies. Whether you want to assess your current strategy or create new strategies for different situations, these principles will help.

Know Your Goal

There is no purpose in communication at all without some goal. The goal might be material, such as wanting to obtain an object from someone. The goal might be emotional, such as wanting to build a connection with someone.

Some more possible goals of communication would be:

• To retrieve information from someone
• To ensure that someone is made aware of and understands a particular piece of information that you are conveying
• To encourage someone to take a certain action
• To generate laughter, surprise or concern

In order to improve the chances that your communication will work, you first should define what “work” means. What would have to happen for you to deem the communication a success? Whatever that is, keep it in the forefront of your mind. It is around this goal that your effective communication strategy must revolve.

Know Your Audience

You will not be able to achieve the same goal using the same communication strategy with different people. Different people have different backgrounds, cultures, languages, religions and personalities. So effective communication strategies require you to tailor the way you communicate to their characteristics.

This does not mean that you should significantly alter your core message or be inauthentic. It just means that you should consider how you deliver the message.

Obviously, if the person doesn’t speak your language, you may need a translator. If they are of a different culture than you, you should do some research to better understand their culture. What are considered signs of respect and disrespect in their culture? Are there figures of speech that might make sense in your culture but not in theirs and vice-versa? Take some time to learn about this. Not only will you communicate with them more effectively, but when the person notices that you have some understanding of their culture, they may feel more comfortable with you in general.

As far as personalities go, try to focus on values. Some people value safety and security, while others value adventure and risk. Some value peace and harmony while others are competitive and like a good debate. Make sure that your approach to the conversation appeals to their values.

Be Conscious of both Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

In conveying your message in a way that is compatible with your audience, make sure you are accounting for not only the words you say, but also:

• Tone of voice
• Hand gestures
• Body position and movement

If this is an important message you are communicating, such as in a job interview or a business presentation, you will also want to consider what you wear and any visual aids or props that you are going to use.

Summary

So those are three important areas to consider when devising effective communication strategies.

Remember:

• Know your goal
• Know your audience
• Be conscious of both verbal and non-verbal communication

If you do each of these three things well, your odds of being successful in your communication will go way up.

No Responses so far | Have Your Say!