Effective communication: 24 keys to good communicators

Language and the ability to bond and share knowledge are fundamental aspects for coexistence and even for the mental and physical health of the human being.

Communicating is essential and allows us to interact with our fellow human beings and even with other animal species. In our daily life we ​​do not stop doing it, since every act or even its absence is communicative.

But it is worth asking, are we capable of communicating effectively? In this article we offer you a series of 24 keys of great communicators when establishing effective communication.

Know how to express yourself and make yourself understood

Communicating involves the exchange of information between two or more subjects by using various codes through which they can transmit.

But doing it effectively does not only imply that subject A sends a message to subject B. For communication to be effective, it is necessary to establish a climate of understanding and mutual respect in which both interlocutors in which the message is transmitted clearly, concisely and without ambiguity, the content of the message being coherent with the attitude present in the communication.

It is essential that the act allows that both components can express themselves and be listened to actively, as well as maintaining a language adjusted to the capacities of both subjects.

We are immersed in an increasingly individualistic society, which makes it difficult for effective communication. People tend to express themselves continuously without leaving space for others to answer and without really listening to what the other person is saying. It must be said, in addition to the frequent use of ambivalences and ambiguities that can give rise to different interpretations.

24 keys to effective communication

Below you can find a series of aspects to take into account in order to establish effective communication.

1. Keep eye contact

The look is a fundamental element in the communicative act, as it is highly expressive. Holding it in a natural and unforced way supposes a show of interest towards what they are saying to us or towards our interlocutor. The listener more easily feels that he is being attended and accepted as part of the communicative act. A look that avoids eye contact can imply a lack of interest, trust or even lie in the communicative act.

2. Use a tone of voice appropriate to the context

Tone of voice is also an important element for effective communication. The appropriate tone will depend on the type of communication that is established, the content of the message or the situation in which it occurs. In general it is recommended a tone of voice without deep ups and downs.

• Related article: "The 10 pillars for perfect non-verbal communication"

3. May your body support your message

Gestural and postural communication say much more than most people seem to think. Depending on the non-verbal language that we use, we may be supporting or even contradicting the verbal message, with which they can give themselves to different interpretations. Our posture and gestures must accompany the message transmitted and even enrich it.

4. Actively listen

A common mistake that many people make today is that we tend to speak without listening to what the other says, as if they were waiting to continue their conversation without the other's answer being important. With this, the other may feel neglected and, in turn, interest in maintaining the communicative act may cease.

• You may be interested: "Active listening: the key to communicating with others"

5. Respect the opinion of the other

We can have a very specific position on a certain issue, but this does not have to coincide with that of our interlocutors. If we want communication to be effective, it is necessary to be able to unconditionally accept the possibility of finding divergent positions and respect them even though we don't share them, no matter how far from their own they may be.

6. Clear message

It is important that our message is clear and concise, using an understandable vocabulary and that it is not ambiguous. Otherwise, multiple interpretations can be created that hinder the objectives pursued in the communicative act.

7. Language adjusted to the reality of the interlocutor

If we want to be efficient in our communication, it is necessary to take into account that not all of our audience will have the same educational level, knowledge, vocabulary or even comprehension ability. It is necessary to adjust the type of language used to the reality of the audience in question.

8. Using empathy

Connect and establish positive rapport With our interlocutor it is essential if we want to establish a correct climate that facilitates mutual understanding and fluency in communication.

• Related article: "Rapport: 5 keys to creating an environment of trust"

9. Don't use corseted messages

When it comes to communicating it is easy to pull off stereotypes and familiar formulas. While formalism may be necessary on some occasions, the use of typed messages generally offers insight into the cold and impersonal communication that diminishes the real interest and leads the listener to be thinking what is the purpose of the issuer of the message.

We must also bear in mind that although it is good to have possible questions planned, we must be able to give our speech a certain spontaneity that makes it look authentic.

10. Consider the context

It is not the same to be at a conference, a wedding or a funeral. The message must be adapted not only to the subject and its vital reality, but also to take into account the environment in which the communicative exchange takes place.

11. Act assertively

During the communicative exchange we must try not to overwhelm the interlocutors and impose our will regardless of their opinion, nor allow ourselves to be carried away by someone else. We must be able to defend our position fully while respecting the opinion of the other.

12. Coherence

If we want our communication to be effective, it is useful to focus on aspects that the other can understand without having to interpret excessively and without the meaning of the message varying from one moment to the next. Consistency in speech it is essential.

13. Question and paraphrase

That our interlocutor perceives interest on our part is a relevant aspect when establishing effective communication. Asking questions shows that we are listening and allows us to finish understanding or make the other understand the parts of the message that are not clear. Paraphrasing helps us to see that we are listening at the same time that it allows us to organize the fundamental parts of the discourse.

14. Respect turns to speak

An act of communication is established between two or more people. If we are talking about an oral communication, it is necessary that all those involved commit to respecting the other's turn to speak. without interrupting continuously the other's message.

15. Anticipate possible answers

On many occasions, those who receive the message will have doubts and questions, or different events may occur during the communicative act. Anticipate this possibility and have a plan of action or a possible response prepared it will help to make the message more secure and effective.

16. Don't just give orders

Effective communication is carried out from respect and education with respect to the person receiving the communication. If the transmission of information is carried out in an authoritarian way, it can be seen as punitive and generate rejection and reactance.

17. Emotional self-management

It is common that during communication different sensations, emotions and feelings arise. While it is beneficial that they can come to light and may even improve effectiveness by increasing understanding between the interlocutors, they do not we must let these go to the extreme and prevent us from exchanging information or preventing the achievement of the communication objective.

18. Have a goal and make it honestly clear

If we intend to have efficient communication, it is essential to be clear about what is intended with it, thus how to be able to convey it and argue so that communication can facilitate its achievement. It is highly recommended be honest and authentic, without pretending to manipulate the other.

19. The themes, one at a time

Starting with one topic and then changing to others and later returning to the original can be effective on occasion, but If it is not something very planned, as a general rule, it tends to confuse the listener regarding the topic that is being discussed. treating. It would be useful deal with issues in an orderly fashion in order to maintain the internal coherence of the discourse.

20. Avoid generalities and detours

A clear and concise message reaches the receiver sooner and can be more efficient than taking long detours on an issue before reaching the actual goal.

21. Try to approach communication in a positive way

Regardless of the type of message that is transmitted, those communications that propose and elaborate concepts tend to be much more efficient and well accepted. from a positive and constructive perspective.

22. Do not extend communication excessively

Although making a long and elaborate speech can be attractive when communicating a large number of ideas, it must be borne in mind that people have a certain attention span and that the longer an argument is, the more likely it is that information will be lost along the way. Short speeches that make clear the different key arguments tend to be much more effective.

23. Motivates

Keeping people motivated is essential, and helps both to maintain interest in the exchange and for it to produce some kind of positive result. Giving space for our interlocutor to express their doubts, favoring their expression and answering them can be highly motivating, as well as the focus given to the message.

24. Integrate and be open to adding or considering other people's points of view

It is important that no matter how much you try to defend a certain idea, the points of view of others are taken into account. To make your speech more efficient, it is advisable to spontaneously use some of the elements that other people have added and discuss them.

This on the one hand makes it possible to observe that the contributions of others are taken into account, while on the other hand, it can reinforce or qualify the message that it is intended to convey.