“Improve Your Communication Skills” - Professor M.S.Rao

“Communication does not depend on syntax, or eloquence, or rhetoric, or articulation but on the emotional context in which the message is being heard.  People can only hear you when they are moving toward you, and they are not likely to when your words are pursing them.” – Edwin H.Friedman

Indian students are strong in mathematics and information technology and they left an indelible mark for themselves globally. Unfortunately, they are unable to grab employment opportunities at home due to various reasons despite having plenty of employment opportunities presently. One of the major reasons is dearth of communication skills. Most of the students don’t know how to communicate well.  In addition, most of the Indian students treat communication skills synonymous with English speaking skills. In fact, both are different as communication skills are required irrespective of the language you speak and English language skills are confined to English language alone which emphasizes on improving English language including accent. Hence, I will discuss about communication skills in this post.

There is an inner noise that prevents people from listening attentively. It is effective throughout the waking hours.  If it is used properly it becomes inner dialogue to achieve whatever you want.  If you don’t channel it properly it prevents you from listening during conversation.  Hence, learn to check your inner noise so that you will listen well and ensure effective communication.

There are seven elements of communication such as sender, encoder, channel, understanding, decoder, receiver, and feedback.  Whenever any communication takes place all these elements are involved.  Unfortunately, the sender often doesn’t take feedback from the receiver resulting in poor communication.  Hence, it is vital to confirm while speaking whether the receiver got the message properly or not.  There is an eighth element – noise which is the culprit of communication. If there are any disturbances during communication the message doesn’t get across to the receiver properly. Hence, ensure that there is no noise during communication.

Most of the people assume communication and don’t receive the message properly. George Bernard Shaw once said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” In fact, it is the biggest challenge in communication.  To ensure smooth communication, suspend your judgment and don’t assume communication and listen to the speaker properly.

Don’t assume that all receivers are intelligent.  Hence, speak in a plain and simple language so that the receiver gets the message properly. William Butler Yeats rightly said, “Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.”

Be clear in your mind before you communicate. Remember that both the sender and the receiver must take responsibility to ensure successful communication as you need two hands to clap.

As communication is a skill it can be acquired from various sources including, reading, and practice. Above all, you must practice a lot to master the art of communication.  Acquiring the art of communication is an imperative for all human beings to ensure peace and harmony and excel as a successful person.

“Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people.” - Jim Rohn

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Email: profmsr12@gmail.com

Blog: http://professormsrao.blogspot.com

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