Strengthening The Key

Written by: Shweta Gaikwad 

Edited by: Yashi Shah

Communication: The Key

I remember talking to a friend of mine. I was expressing how I was feeling to her and in the conversation, I happened to mention that I was feeling blue. On hearing this, she immediately started to laugh, questioning how you can someone feel blue? And that was when I realized that she had misinterpreted it's meaning.

Communication is the medium to exchange ideas, information, and to express the feelings, thoughts, and emotions. Communication can be verbal or non-verbal. The base on which the whole human race is growing and progressing. Communication is important everywhere, in relationships, at workplaces and everywhere the human-human interaction comes. Not just the human-human interactions, even the human- animals communicate too. In short, the human world relies on communication which is why innovations and evolution are occurring. The whole meaning of life can be understood by communication. It is so much important that it is being developed as a skill. Indeed it solves many of the problems in life. Life cannot even be imagined without communication; keeping all the thoughts and ideas to ourselves. 

TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

1. Simplify and stay on message- Don't beat around the bush. Stick to the point and try to convey it using simple and clear words.

2. Make sure you are understood- Don't blame the other person for not understanding what you are trying to convey. Instead, try to rephrase it. Take the help of words that are not ambiguous and vague.

3. Learn to listen- Communication is a two-way street and as much as conveying your message is important, listening to what the other person has to say is equally important.

4. Body language is important- Studies show that 65% of all communication is non-verbal. Watch for visual signs that your listener understands, agrees, or disagrees with your message. And be aware that your body is sending signals, too.

5. Maintain eye contact- Whether speaking to a crowd or one-on-one, maintaining eye contact builds credibility and demonstrates you care about your listeners. 

6. Know your matter- Think and study about your matter carefully. This will help you explain your point better and feel confident too.

FUN FACTS ABOUT COMMUNICATION:

• The first written communication was in the form of marks and symbols – recorded more than 9,000 years ago.
• Today, there are over 6,000 languages spoken in the world. In Papua New Guinea alone, over 800 languages are spoken.
• The written Chinese language contains over 80,000 different symbols, although most people use about 5,000.
• 41% of people under 25 hate when you don’t pick up the phone after you have just texted them.
• Research has determined that body language accounts for 55% of face-to-face communication, closely followed by the tone of the voice at 38%.
• Researches have identified that humans generally display 19 different types of smiles.