Learning to talk instinctively while growing up, we never realize how many types of verbal communication types and skills we adopt. And we also don’t acknowledge the fact that having the ability to communicate verbally is a blessing all of us should be thankful for. Just take a look at someone who struggles to speak due to anxiety or any other mental disorder; or even someone who is mute.
Not having the ability to tell someone how you feel like, sounds scary to us.
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Importance of Verbal Communication Skills
Hence, possessing effective verbal communication skills are essential for succeeding in any work (or non-work) environment. After all, knowing how to present your ideas in the most articulate manner is an acquired skill that needs to be honed.
To get the message across, you ought to make sure that receivers are able to interpret your words in a clear and concise way. Not being able to do so can resort to conflicts and misunderstandings. In this blog, we will discuss the many different types of verbal communication along with a couple of examples.
Types of Verbal Communication
Verbal communication can be classified into three main categories including:
Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal communication solely takes place between two individuals who engage in a one-on-one conversation. In this case, the two individuals will alternately switch their roles as senders and receivers for optimal results.
Small Group Communication
As the name indicates, this form of communication occurs when two or more participants communicate with each other. In this case, since the number of people involved is limited, each participant will efficiently be able to communicate or interact with everybody onboard. Group meetings, press conferences, and board meetings are all perfect examples of group communication. However, since this method of communication involves more people, those involved must take measures to ensure effective communication. Any disruptions or disturbances can lead to misinterpretation of information.
Professional work environments require employees to engage in meetings and share ideas. In order to benefit from the discussion, participants must communicate in a concise manner. This can be done by brainstorming ideas, approving plans and providing feedback. If all these pointers are taken into account, participants will be able to meet maximum desired outcomes by the end of the meeting.
Public Communication
This form of communication occurs when one individual speaks to a large number of people. Public speeches and election campaigns are all types of public communication. This condition usually requires one sender who addresses a large number of receivers.
Examples of Verbal Communication Skills
Responding patiently to the speaker and staying calm constitute as some basic rules of etiquette when it comes to verbal communication. Here are some skills that can aid the process:
Effective Listening
Pay close attention to the speaker and take part in active listening. Many people put far too much energy on considering what they should say next when they should be listening attentively. So push the breaks and focus all your energies on the person standing in front of you. Another way to show interest is by asking questions towards the end of the session. Active listening is a vital skill that can significantly improve the communication process.
Be clear and concise
Don’t confuse others with incoherent sentences and rambles. Here, it’s important to be vocal and highlight issues that you care about. Pay attention to sentence structure and keep your discussion brief if you don’t have much to say. Discussing too many problems at the same time can distract listeners or cause confusion.
Questioning
Asking questions shows how interested you are in a particular subject. However, this too is a skill which can only be mastered with time. Depending on the situation, you may craft open ended or close ended questions. Open-ended questions typically demand further discussion whereas close-ended questions require concise answers. Close ending questions are better suited for professional environments when you don’t want to drift too far away from the main discussion.
Adopt a friendly demeanor
People are subconsciously drawn to someone with a friendly aura. Start your discussion with a warm smile and be sure to greet your audience before you begin. Regardless of how serious the situation may be, try to communicate with others in a friendly tone and also pay attention to body language. Body language plays a vital role in communication, especially if you’re engaging in a one-on-one conversation.
Understanding the audience
Communication professionals realize the importance of tailoring messages according to the audience. Ensure the message is appropriately designed to connect with the audience and make changes to improve attention span. This is especially important if you’re addressing a young audience that is most likely to respond better to an enthusiastic speaker.
Some other verbal communication skills include:
- Speaking at a moderate pace. You must not rush your sentences shouldn’t be too slow either
- Being able to come up with stories that will spark interest and engage the audience
- The ability to speak confidently yet modestly
- Being able to respond to criticism without appearing too defensive
Ways to Improve Verbal Communication Skills
Did You Learn the Importance of Verbal Communication Skills?
Last but not the least, remember to put a little extra thought into what you’re about to say. Learn how to analyze the situation and respond according.
Hopefully, the above mentioned guidelines have provided you with a few pointers to improve verbal communication. Good luck!
