We all know that being uncomfortable speaking in groups, or for that matter being uncomfortable speaking to anyone at all is never a good feeling. It can make the working day go by so much worse and make you dread and stress times when you will need to use your communication skills.
Here are just a few ways for you to improve your communication skills, just by knowing they person closest to you: yourself.
1. Talk about what you know
Have you been to a seminar? Taught a class? Are you a subject matter expert? Finding something which you can easily relate to and pick from your mind will make the conversations so much easier for you to form and deliver.
2. Listen to what others say
Listen carefully to what others are saying so that when replying their questions, you can refer back to what they asked earlier. This shows that you are paying attention and gives you communication more credibility. Listening to your own voice can also help as it gives us confidence and helps us deliver messages with more conviction
3. Don't be afraid of making a mistake
We all make mistakes when we talk, whether it be not knowing the meaning of a word, or even how to pronounce it. Rather than repeatedly say a word the wrong way, ask the group if you're actually saying it properly. This way, they'll loosen up and you won't seem foolish for repeating a word you don't know over and over.
4. Make a joke
Adding a little bit of humor in your talks can make the audience feel less uneasy, making you feel less uneasy. Let's face it, it's so easy to fall asleep in a meeting, but if someone makes a joke, those on the brink may wake up and pay attention.
5. Maintain eye contact
For those falling asleep as mentioned above, keeping eye contact with the audience will prevent them from dozing off because they feel like they're being watched. You say alot when maintaining eye contact, making the meeting feel one on one with each person in the group, even if it's a very large one. But don't keep staring at the same person because they are really good looking.
6. Rapport
Rapport is the act of mimicking body language. Use this to your advantage and mingle with other people, you'll get lots of ideas about things to talk about as well as meeting alot of new people.
7. Practice, practice, practice
Singing or practicing your speeches or even general conversation in the mirror can always be a great way of improving your communication skills. You'll get used to hearing your own voice, as well as commit a lot of what you planned to say to memory. This makes it easier to recall later when you are actually giving your presentation or discussion.
8. Smile
Keeping a smile on puts the audience at ease. Frowning or slouching in a gathering will only spread the negative mood that you are feeling to the rest of the group. Keeping a happy emotion on your face will keep the mood up and positive.
9. Copy good speakers
You've probably seen people talk before right? A celebrity, a presidential candidate, a minister. See how they give their speech and use that to learn or even repeat in your own speeches.
10. Know what you are talking about
Don't go into a meeting unprepared. Some people use index cards, some people write things on their hands. Whatever works for you, just make sure you are mentally prepared for your meeting and don't do it last minute before rushing in.
Practice these 10 things and your stress levels in discussions, meeting and presentations will slowly drop, help you keep a confident and positive stance throughout.
William Lee is a marketing executive from a large multinational corporation. He deals with stress at work every day and shares his tips on how he manages to calm down and relax.
Visit his blog for tips, advice and resources on stress management at the workplace.
This article is copyrighted, all rights reserved, and it may be used only if kept entirely intact with the author's name and URL. http://workrelatedstresstips.blogspot.com
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