According to Jim Rohn, there are 7 ways to master the art of communication.

I like the phrase “the art of communicating.” Because communication is a skill. When we try to communicate our message to others, it’s as if we start with a huge blank canvas and then proceed to paint any picture we choose.

Most people now believe that when they paint a picture, they simply have a few basic brushes at their disposal. Advanced artist, on the other hand, is aware that there are several tools available to help them produce their masterpiece, and they use them to their advantage.

The same holds true for communication. You have numerous tools at your disposal while communicating; you simply need to be aware of them and use them intentionally. The more adept you grow at using these tools, the better your communication will be.

These tools are classified into two types: verbal and nonverbal. Let’s have a look at how you can utilize each to improve your communication skills:

Verbal Communication

1. Your words

People do assess you based on the language you use, and this is true. Choose your words carefully. Words have tremendous power. They have the ability to relocate nations as well as to destroy them. Use your words carefully when speaking.

Here are a few things to think about when it comes to your words:

• Avoid using words that will cause the other person to think poorly of you. Slang is one example. Another is, of course, slurs of any type. Use words that communicate positive values. Use optimistic words, words of strength. Make sure they are understandable.
• Use words that are colorful and rich with meaning, as long as they can be understood by the listener.

2. Your Vocabulary

An expanded vocabulary will set you out from the crowd. It improves communication and attracts people’s attention.

Your vocabulary can betray your educational level, and people may form opinions about you that can limit your prospects with them. The most effective communicators will employ a expend vocabulary with more educated groups and a smaller vocabulary with less educated ones.

What you say is only as important as how you say it. What is your voice tone? Are you monotonous when you speak? Or do you change up the tone of your voice? This will automatically assist folks in understanding what you’re saying. Changing your voice tone is a very powerful approach to attract people to your message. Consider a painter who just used one colour. We want a lot of colour and tone.

Consider your tempo as well as your words and tone of voice. When speaking, you may need to talk slowly at times and quickly at others. The pace with which you talk will reveal significant information to others. A quick speed conveys that you’re enthusiastic about something. A leisurely pace generally conveys thoughtfulness or the fact that you want them to hear your message.

Choosing your pace is similar to effectively using your volume. A master communicator will captivate their listeners by varying their voice volume from extremely loud to almost whisper-like. The audience is being taken on a communication roller coaster without them even being aware of it. There are several things to take away from this. We may move and adjust loudness even when speaking to one person at a time, which makes communication more efficient.

3. Emotion

It’s important to convey your emotions when communicating. Here, it’s important to express emotions without “becoming emotional.” Emotions have the power to communicate extremely effectively. For instance, if you become upset seldom, it might convey that you are very serious about something. By allowing yourself to weep, you may demonstrate to people that you are a passionate individual who, in addition to being a hard-charging someone who craves achievement, also has a delicate side. You may show that you have a sense of humor and don’t take yourself too seriously by allowing yourself to laugh. If managed properly, emotion is a potent communicator.

4. Enunciation

Do you speak in a way that others can understand? Communication success frequently depends on the clarity of enunciation. For others to understand us, it is essential that we speak clearly. Our speech has a little more “punch” when we speak clearly. Make an effort to pronounce your words clearly. The trick is to strike the perfect balance between enunciating clearly enough to prevent word repetition and sparingly enough to avoid sound unnatural.

The concept of variation underpins each of these ideas. When we just use one communication method, we become boring and others stop paying attention. Consider yourself. Do you enjoy listening to people that have a monotone voice, a monotone pace, dull language, and no expression? Obviously not! Then, we ought to use every effort to communicate in a lively and efficient manner. And if we put in the effort and practice, practice, practice, we can be!

Nonverbal Communication

Of course, what you say influences how you communicate, but what you don’t say is just as significant. Yes, the way you interact verbally and nonverbally matters a lot.

Have you ever given your nonverbal communication any thought? Here are some ideas on how to reinforce what you’re saying with nonverbal cues:

5. Your hands

You’ll come off as stiff and uneasy if you keep your hands at your side. Instead, talk to each other with your hands. To avoid leaving people wondering where your hands will go next, avoid being overly expressive. Recording your voice as you talk is one approach to observing your nonverbal behavior. You should be careful with your hands.

6. Your eyes

A very effective tool in communicating is the eye. The proverb “the eyes are the window to your soul” is well-known, right? It is real. Think of the messages that a mother sends to her baby when she looks into their eyes or the messages that a couple sends to one another when they gaze into each other’s eyes. The eyes may convey a lot.

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who was always glancing around? What message does that convey? an absence of interest in your message.

Keep your eyes on the person you are speaking to. Pay close attention to them with your eyes. Watch them while you listen to them. Let them know they are valued by you.

7. Your arms

When someone crosses their arms while speaking, some individuals are “closed off” to them without even realizing it. Crossing your arms is a certain technique to isolate oneself from the other person, according to those who have studied this. It conveys rejection, anxiety, and closure.