This document discusses effective communication skills. It defines communication as transmitting information from one person to another through meaningful interaction. The communication process involves a sender encoding a message that is sent through a medium, received and decoded by the receiver, with potential barriers in between. Barriers to communication include noise, inappropriate mediums, assumptions, emotions, language differences, and distractions. Active listening is emphasized as an important skill. Tips are provided for improving verbal communication through clarity, repetition, attention to the speaker, and avoiding distractions. Body language, reading, interacting with others, and presentation of self are also discussed as ways to strengthen communication abilities.