Dr. Engr. Md. Sakawat Ali

E-mail: sakawat_ali@yahoo.com

Communication skills are abilities you use when giving and receiving different kinds of information. Some examples include communicating ideas, feelings or what’s happening around you. Communication skills involve listening, speaking, observing and empathizing. It is also helpful to understand the differences in how to communicate through face-to-face interactions, phone conversations and digital communications, like email and social media. No matter what your position is, you need to be able to communicate effectively with people you work with. Communication skills are needed to speak appropriately with a wide variety of people whilst maintaining good eye contact, demonstrate a varied vocabulary and tailor your language to your audience, listen effectively, present your ideas appropriately, write clearly and concisely, and work well in a group. Communication soft skills are as follows: 1. Verbal communications 2. Non-verbal communication 3. Visual communication 4. Written communication 5. Active listening 6. Clarity 7. Confidence 8. Interviewing 9. Negotiation 10. Personal Branding 11. Persuasion 12. Presentation skills 13. Public speaking 14. Storytelling 15. Diplomacy 16. Empathy 17. Friendliness 18. Humor 19. Networking 20. Patience 21. Positive reinforcement 22. Sensitivity 23. Tolerance 1. Verbal Communication Verbal communication is any communication that uses words to share information with others. These words may be both spoken and written. Having the ability to speak clearly and convey your thoughts and ideas to other people through speech is a vital part of success. Those who have good verbal communication skills are able to grab people's attention and communicate a specific and concise point to those around them. Strong verbal communication allows people to engage with each other in person and reach mutually agreeable conclusions. 2. Non-Verbal Communication Over half of what people say is communicated through actions or gestures. Think about the instant connection you can make with someone just by locking eyes across a room. You can use non-verbal cues like gestures or facial expressions to reinforce, complement, contradict, or substitute your verbal communication with non-verbal cues. For example, offering someone a bright smile when you say congratulations helps to reinforce your sincerity. 3. Visual Communication Visual communication skills are those that use signals that are received by someone else's eyes to convey a message. With the increasing demand for collaboration in the workplace, the need for various methods of effective communication is also growing. Visual communication complements verbal communication, which increases its effectiveness. Using visual tools such as a graph or a picture can help people understand your point. 4. Written Communication If you lack skills in written communication, people are likely to question your competence. It is important to know proper grammar and punctuation as well as how to write succinctly and purposefully. You should offer specific examples in any written communication if you are trying to back up a point, along with a proposed action plan. Proper written communication also involves following up properly with others in order to close the loop of communication and show that you are actively working toward a goal. Knowing how to write a professional "thank you" note is one way to show your competence in written communication. 5. Active Listening Active listening is the ability to listen to someone else talk with the intention of hearing what they are saying, rather than having the intention of formulating a response. This allows people to see you as a partner and someone who wants to develop solutions that benefit the most people. As an active listener, you allow short breaks in talking for interjections, you repeat back to other people what they have told you to confirm you understood correctly, and you ask additional questions for clarity. 6. Clarity When something goes terribly wrong in any organization, there is usually one common factor: a breakdown in communication. Usually, someone said something that was misinterpreted or allowed other people to make incorrect assumptions, and not enough questions were asked. Having a lack of clarity in your communication and failing to seek clarity can do a great deal of damage. 7. Confidence Workplaces are often full of challenges. When you have confidence, you are able to face these challenges head-on because you know that you're good at your job, you provide value to your company, and you can act in a way that shows that to others. When you present yourself as being confident, you demand the attention of other people and they listen to your opinions and ideas. 8. Interviewing Strong interviewing skills are vital in today's employment world. Even if you are not the best fit for a job, if you ace your interview, you are more likely to get hired than someone who lacks confidence in their interview or doesn't have the proper skills. With strong interviewing skills, you will make a good first impression. Think about the amount of competition you face during an interview process. Employers scan through an abundance of applicants, many of which are indistinguishable on paper due to having similar work histories. Acing your interview will help you stand out from everyone else. One way to stand out from the crowd is to know what to say when asked, "What are your personal strengths?" 9. Negotiation Negotiation isn't just a good financial habit to have. Having the ability to come to a mutually beneficial agreement with someone with different motivations than your own is an important soft skill. A mutually beneficial solution is one that works for both sides and helps each party maintain a positive relationship for future interactions. To do this, you have to be able to find out what factors are the most influential and acceptable for the other side. 10. Personal Branding Personal branding is about customer perceptions and preferences, and is mainly focused on improving yourself while you're establishing your own brand. It's important to have a clear idea of the impression that you want other people to have of you, and to be diligent enough to take the necessary steps to achieve that image. 11. Persuasion If you have the ability to persuade, you have the ability to influence other people. Persuasion is one of the most important skills to develop because without it, your ideas won't gain any momentum. Having the ability to persuade stakeholders to buy into an idea, product, or service is important for people in many different types of roles. Persuasive people can use their skills to influence others to help them with projects, choose their side, or benefit them in some other way. 12. Presentation Skills Being able to present ideas and information in an effective way that engages and motivates the audience is a critical soft skill to have. This method of communication allows you to share evidence to back up an argument. A good presenter can influence an audience to take action toward their desired outcome. 13. Public Speaking Effective public speaking skills are not only important for people who want to become public leaders-they are an important part of any successful interpersonal communication. Developing public speaking skills increases self-confidence and power. Strong public speaking skills put people in charge of their lives. 14. Storytelling Being a good storyteller is an important skill because, with the right type of story, you can influence and persuade others. Stories can be powerful because they help you create a connection with other people that will help you build trust and rapport. Not only are emotions central to effective storytelling, they are also helpful for building memories-and therefore strengthening the message you're trying to get across and helping people remember it. Anyone who is listening to a good storyteller is going to be an engaged, active listener. 15. Diplomacy Using diplomacy appropriately will improve your relationships with other people and help you build mutual respect, which can then lead to more successful outcomes and fewer incidences of strained communication. When you're diplomatic, you have an understanding of other people and you're able to be open to their ideas, opinions, beliefs, and feelings. 16. Empathy If you have empathy, you will be a better leader and a better follower. Being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes helps you effectively understand their needs, motivations, and fears. Having empathy will help you experience the world more clearly because you will perceive it through your perspective and the perspectives of other people. 17. Friendliness Business is really about relationships, and relationships are directly impacted by one's behavior. When you are friendly, it motivates and inspires people instead of turning them off. Being friendly is a good leadership skill and will grant you positive relationships that will benefit both you and your company. 18. Humor Having a good sense of humor helps you make a good first impression with the people you meet, and it creates an emotional connection that not only allows people to bond, but also makes each party happier. Humor can also be a constructive cure for disagreements. Sharing a moment of laughter can be enough to bridge a negative gap in a relationship. 19. Networking Networking involves communicating with other people to develop personal or professional contacts, and to form a mutually beneficial relationship. To successfully network, you must be engaging enough for other people to want to work with you in some manner. Having a large network of business can also provide you with a safety net, and give you more people to turn to if you are in need of help or information. 20. Patience Have you ever heard that patience is a virtue? In our modern age, many people have forgotten to practice patience, and easily get irritated over minor things. However, if you have patience, you can avoid making hasty decisions that lead to mistakes. 21. Positive Reinforcement Positive reinforcement increases productivity and improves the morale of employees. It also helps alleviate self-doubts and increase self-worth. If you are able to provide positive reinforcement to others, it demonstrates that you notice the quality of work that they are doing and you want to show your appreciation. 22. Sensitivity When you are sensitive to other people's feelings, you have less chance of hurting them. Sensitivity helps you be a good listener and speak kindly to people working with you. It also involves a great deal of respect because you have to be able to accept other people's feelings without judgment. 23. Tolerance Being tolerant and respectful of everyone around you is a key part of being successful in life. Chances are, you will work with people who are very different from you, so it is important to respect those differences in order to have a successful partnership. *******************

Key Words: Communication