4 Tips for students to improve your communication skills

Over the last few weeks, we have posted a series of blog on tech leader's communication style. We have identified and analyzed key elements of Jeff Bezos', Jack Ma's and Steve Job’s communicationstyle and what makes them stand out. Our whole purpose in this blog series has been to inform and educate our audiences and help them improve their own communication skills. 

In this blog post, you will learn 4 key tips to enhance your communication skills. 

1. Active listening: 

Popular American Novelist Ernest Hemingway's quote on Listening

Many leaders have said that active listening is the most important aspect of communication. It is common practice among most people that they react to what other people say rather than understanding and processing information before replying aptly. It is found that managers and employees who practice active listening in workplace benefit substantially with better productivity ,improved relationship and happy team. 

What can you do improve your active listening? 

•  Pay attention to the speaker by using constant eye contact and nodding the head that signifies that you understand 
•  Maintain positive body language and good posture. This shows you have interest in the topic of discussion and want to genuinely talk
•  Avoid the tendency to interruption or rebuttal. Let the speaker finish the topic and wait for your chance to raise a question
• Respond honestly and clearly. Let the person know what you felt about the particular topic and raise question or give a comment.

2. Practice story Telling:

Apple founder Steve Jobs on power of story telling

Steve Jobs instituted a rule at Apple that has banned all the power point presentation. Similarly, Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook and Jeff Bezos of Amazon have also banned power point. One research conducted at Harvard showed that PowerPoint is failing in information transfer to the audience and improving the individual brand.

One common similarity among Steve Jobs, jack Ma and Jeff Bezos is that they are all great story tellers. They have used their elegant speaking and visual interpretation to tell compelling stories and communicate effectively to their audience. So, practice speaking specially extempore with stories to hook your audience and communicate well.

3.Master you non verbal communication:

Dr. Albert Mehrabian's findings on use of non-verbal communication

Research has shown that 55% of all communication is body language, 38% is tone an only about 7% is the actual word spoken. People pay attention to your non-verbal communication more that you think. So, no more slouching, keeping your arms crossed instead try to make ample eye contact while maintaining a good posture when you speak with others next time.

Here's an example of how our brain reads individual through non verbal communication

4. Ask for honest feedback:

Feedback is the breakfast of Champions

Finally if you feel like you are lagging behind in your communication skills, don’t be afraid to ask for honest feedback from your friends, teachers or colleagues. If you manage to receive feedback from other, appreciate and humbly accept it. With honest feedback, you will discover new areas to improve every time and with time your communication skill will improve significantly. 

Concluding Thoughts:

Using these 4 tips can improve your communication style and help avoid misunderstanding in the communication. By listening more actively when other are speaking, communicating with non verbal behavior, practicing storytelling and taking feedback to gradually improve, you will accurately communicate your meaning to the listener. Try implementing these tips into you daily work routine and watch in amazement as results prove your communication effectiveness.