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Tips to Improve your Communication Technique

Tips to Improve Your Communication Technique

Communication training.

Communication skills training is important, because in order to achieve your goals, you need to gain the willing cooperation of other people. And the only way you can do that is to communicate your message.

Communication has six major channels:

  1. Words: language.
  2. Voice tone.
  3. Body language.
  4. Written word.
  5. Listening.
  6. Reading.

Here is one excellent piece of advice for each set.

1. Words: Language.

Always strive for verbal clarity.

Avoid using open ended words and phrases which have multiple meanings. For example; the phrase, "As soon as possible", denotes multiple possible meanings and is therefore a poor choice of expression.

Your first duty is to be understood. And to be understood you need to use clear and specific language. Not unclear and ambiguous language.

2. Voice tone.

Voice tone concerns the musical element of your voice.

People judge your emotional balance largely on the tone of your voice. Good voice tones are generally slower, louder, deeper, and more variable.

Bad voice tones are the opposite: faster or quieter, shriller, or monotone.

Therefore speak with a voice tone that is generally slower, louder, deeper, and more variable.

3. Body language.

Body language is a huge topic and pertains to how you appear to your listeners. Body language is about your dress code, your facial expression, your eye contact, your posture, gestures, proximity, scent and orientation.

A good piece of advice I can give you is this:

Give good eye contact and try to maintain a relaxed and friendly facial expression.

4. The written word.

A vast amount of communication that occurs in business world is in the form of the written word. Therefore, it is important to get your writing up to standard.

The best one-line piece of advice I can offer you is:

Never send unstructured, rambling messages; instead always structure your message.

5. Listening.

Listening is the art of paying attention to the other person, understanding, judging and remembering what you heard.

The best piece of advice I can give you is this:

When listening, give the other person 100% of your attention.

  • Don't split your focus or doze off.
  • Listen with intent to understand, not with intent to disprove.

6. Reading.

Reading is a uniquely human activity. No other animal in the universe reads. Many people are not good readers. They read, but they don't absorb what they read. So, read slowly and with a pencil in hand. Try to reduce what you are reading into simple summaries. Then review your summary notes and memorise them.

For example: Here are the summary notes for this blog.

Six pieces of advice to improve your communication skills.

1. Always strive for verbal clarity.

2. Speak with a voice tone that is generally, slower, louder, deeper, and more variable.

3. Never send unstructured, rambling messages; instead always structure your message:

4. When listening, give the other person 100% of your attention.

5. Listen with intent to understand, not with intent to disprove.

6. Read with a pencil in hand; and memorise the key sentences.

Definition: Active listening

Active listening is a business communication skill where you give the speaker full focus, hold back judgement, show that you understand with clear feedback, and remember key points for action. Lose any one of these steps and you slip into passive hearing, weakening shared understanding and joint work.

Show CG4D Definition
Context: Business communication
Genus: skill
Differentia:
  • Gives the speaker full attention
  • Holds back judgement to understand the message
  • Shows understanding through clear verbal and non-verbal feedback
  • Remembers key points and uses them in the reply

Article Summary

Clear words, steady voice, open body, tidy writing, focused listening and active reading turn ideas into shared action; master these six skills and your communication moves people to help you hit any goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.


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Did You Know: Key Statistics

LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2024 shows that 57% of UK learning teams rank communication as the top skill to build this year. Gartner Digital Worker Survey 2024 finds that teams who share clear written updates record a 25% rise in output compared with teams that do not.

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

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Further Reading in Communication - Clear Communication

  • Finding a Common Frame of Reference
    Stop labelling people. Learn how a common frame of reference built on rational thinking boosts unity in the workplace, sharp decisions and rational optimism.
    Read Article >
  • Mastering the Art of Conversing Knowledgeably on Unfamiliar Topics
    Learn a simple five-step method to talk about unfamiliar topics, use broad knowledge, fill gaps with facts and experience, and engage listeners with confidence.
    Read Article >
  • Gain Their Understanding and Agreement
    Learn three communication skills that drive results: state one clear message, prove it with facts and logic, and motivate action by showing gain or pain.
    Read Article >
  • The Importance of Business Communication Skills
    Improve profits and morale by sharpening business communication skills. Learn how to share goals, listen to feedback and lead change with clear, positive
    Read Article >
  • Muhammad Ali: The Greatest Speaker in the World.
    Discover how Muhammad Ali’s public speaking fused rhyme, self-belief and storytelling to win fights, sell tickets and inspire future leaders in sport and beyond
    Read Article >

Looking for Communication Skills Training?

If you're looking to develop your Clear Communication Skills, you may find this Communication Skills Training Course beneficial:

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9 September
Birmingham
£475 +VAT
15 September
Online - Teams
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17 September
Gloucester (M5 J11)
£475 +VAT
30 September
London - Central
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