It’s in every classified ad and most job descriptions: must have excellent communication skills. Worse yet, once hired, it reappears annually at review time: Improve communication skills. What’s a worker to do? Communication skills don’t require a graduate degree, just some common sense, a bit of homework and a better understanding of the role communication plays in everything:
Listen. Don’t assume that better communication skills mean you have to speak like John F. Kennedy or orate like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Listening skills are the most ignored aspect of good communication skills. More misunderstandings occur due to poor listening than to misstatements.
To be a good listener, suspend that urge to speak while others are speaking. Don’t begin to prepare what you’ll say next. Listen intently, with ears, eyes, mind and body. Are you following what’s being said? If so, nod in agreement. If not, a furrowed brow indicates you’re confused. Your speaker needs these cues. If you truly heard and understood, repeat it back in your own words. This lets both parties know they’re on the same wavelength....