The document discusses effective communication skills. It states that effective communication involves understanding emotions, improving relationships, and combining skills like listening, managing stress, and recognizing emotions. While communication skills are learned, they become more instinctive with practice. Key aspects of effective communication include listening without interrupting, avoiding judgment, and showing interest in the speaker. The document also provides tips for managing stress, using nonverbal cues, improving voice tone, developing language skills, and interpreting body language during interactions.

2. In the information
age, we have to
communicate a
huge number of
messages every
day. But effective
communication is
about more than
just exchanging information; it is also
about understanding the emotion behind.
It can improve relationships at home,
work, and in social situations by
deepening your connections to others
and improving teamwork, decision-making,
and problem solving. It enables you to
communicate even negative or difficult
messages without creating conflict. Effective
communication combines a set of skills
including nonverbal communication, attentive
listening, the ability to manage stress and the
capacity to recognize and understand your
own emotions and those of the person you’re
communicating with.
While effective communication is a learned
skill, it is more effective when it’s spontaneous
rather than formulaic. Of course, it takes time
and effort to develop and become an effective
communicator. The more effort and practice,
the more instinctive and spontaneous your
communication skills will become. One must
practice to attain the level of Expertise.
If your goal is to
fully understand
and connect with
the other person,
listening effectively
will often come
naturally.
Your effective listening enhances the
more satisfying and rewarding
interactions with the people you
communicate.
Make the Speaker Feel Heard
Clear which can help build a stronger,
deeper connection. And it also makes the
speaker feel at ease to communicate.
Create a Safe Zone for Everyone to express
ideas, opinions, and feelings, or plan and
problem solve in creative ways, rather
creating obstruct situation.
Save Time by assisting in clarifying
information, avoiding conflicts and
misunderstandings.
Relieve Negative Emotions. When
emotions are running high, if the speaker
feels that he or she has been truly heard, it
can help to calm them down, relieve negative
feelings, and allow for real understanding or
problem solving to begin
Focus Fully on the Speaker, his or her body
language, and other nonverbal cues. If you’re
daydreaming, checking text messages, or
doodling, you’re almost certain to miss
nonverbal cues in the conversation. If you
find it hard to concentrate on some speakers,
try repeating their words over in your
head—it’ll reinforce their message and help
you stay focused.
Avoid Interrupting or trying to redirect the
conversation to your concerns, by saying
something like, “If you think that’s bad, let
me tell you what happened to me.”
Listening is not the same as waiting for your
turn to talk. You can’t concentrate on what
someone’s saying if you’re forming what
you’re going to say next. Often, the speaker
can read your facial expressions and know
that your mind’s elsewhere.
Avoid Seeming Judgmental. In order to
communicate effectively with someone, you
don’t have to like them or agree with their
ideas, values, or opinions. However, you do
need to set aside your judgment and
withhold blame and criticism in order to
fully understand a person. The most difficult
communication, when successfully executed,
can lead to the most unlikely and profound
connection with someone.
Show Your Interest in what’s being said.
Nod occasionally, smile at the person, and
make sure your posture is open and inviting.
Encourage the speaker to continue with
small verbal comments like “Yes” or “Uh
Huh.” Such instances will create interest
among the communicators.

3. When stress strikes,
you can’t always temper
it by taking time out to
meditate or go for a run,
especially if you’re in
the middle of a meeting
with your boss or an argument with your
spouse, for example. By learning to
quickly reduce stress in the moment,
though, you can safely face any strong
emotions you’re experiencing, regulate
your feelings, and behave appropriately.
When you know how to maintain a
relaxed, energized state of awareness—
even when something upsetting
happens—you can remain emotionally
available and engaged.
To Deal With Stress While Communicating:
Recognize When You’re Becoming
Stressed. Your body will let you know if
you’re stressed as you communicate. Are
your muscles or your stomach tight and/or
sore? Are your hands clenched? Is your
breath shallow? Are you forgetting to
breathe?
Take a moment to calm down before
deciding to continue a conversation or
postpone it.
Bring your senses to the
rescue and quickly manage stress by
taking a few deep breaths, clenching and
relaxing muscles, or recalling a soothing,
sensory-rich image, for example. The best
way to rapidly and reliably relieve stress is
through the senses: sight, sound, touch,
taste, and smell. But each person responds
differently to sensory input, so you need to
find things that are soothing to you.
Look for humor in the situation. When
used appropriately, humor is a great way
to relieve stress when communicating.
When you or those around you start taking
things too seriously, find a way to lighten
the mood by sharing a joke or amusing
story.
Be willing to compromise. Sometimes, if
you can both bend a little, you’ll be able to
find a happy middle ground that reduces
the stress levels for everyone concerned. If
you realize that the other person cares
much more about something than you do,
compromise may be easier for you and a
good investment in the future of the
relationship.
Agree to disagree, if necessary, and take
time away from the situation so everyone
can calm down. Take a quick break and
move away from the situation. Go for a
stroll outside if possible, or spend a few
minutes meditating. Physical movement or
finding a quiet place to regain your balance
can quickly reduce stress. But for sure,
avoiding creating awkward situations.
When we communicate
things that we care about,
we do so mainly using
nonverbal signals. Wordless
communication, or body
language, includes facial
expressions, body movement and
gestures, eye contact, posture, the tone of
your voice, and even your muscle tension
and breathing. The way you look, listen,
move, and react to another person tells
them more about how you’re feeling than
words alone ever can.
Developing the ability to understand and
use nonverbal communication can help
you connect with others, express what
you really mean, navigate challenging
situations, and build better relationships.
You can enhance effective communication
by using open body language—arms
uncrossed, standing with an open stance or
sitting on the edge of your seat, and
maintaining eye contact with the person
you’re talking to.
You can also use body language to
emphasize or enhance your verbal
message—patting a friend on the back
while complimenting him on his success,
for example, or pounding your fists to
underline your message.

4. Practice
Observing People in
public places, such as a
shopping mall, bus, train,
café, restaurant, or even
on a television talk show
with the sound muted. Observing how
others use body language can teach you
how to better receive and use
nonverbal signals when conversing
with others. Notice how people act and
react to each other. Try to guess what
their relationship is, what they’re
talking about, and how each feels about
what is being said.
Be Aware Of Individual
Differences. Different People tend to use
different nonverbal communication
gestures, so it’s important to take age,
culture, religion, gender, and emotional
state into account when reading body
language signals. An American teen, a
grieving widow, and an Asian
businessman, for example, are likely to use
nonverbal signals differently.
Look at Nonverbal Communication
Signals as a Group. Don’t read too much
into a single gesture. Consider all of the
nonverbal signals you receive, from eye
contact to tone of voice to body language.
Consider the signals as a whole to get a
better “read” on a person.
Use signals that
match up with your
words. Nonverbal
communication
should reinforce what
is being said, not
contradict it. If you say one thing, but
your body language says something
else, your listener will likely feel
you’re being dishonest. For example,
you can’t say “yes” while shaking your
head no.
Adjust your nonverbal signals
according to the context. The tone of
your voice, for example, should be different
when you’re addressing a child than when
you’re addressing a group of adults.
Use body language to convey positive
feelings even when you're not actually
experiencing them. If you’re nervous about
a situation—a job interview, important
presentation, or first date, for example—
you can use positive body language to
signal confidence, even though you’re not
feeling it. Instead of tentatively entering a
room with your head down, eyes averted,
and sliding into a chair, try standing tall
with your shoulders back, smiling and
maintaining eye contact, and delivering a
firm handshake. It will make you feel more
self-confident and help to put the other
person at ease.
Tone of Voice –
All of us are born
with a particular
voice. Any voice
can be improved
by pausing and
breathing. One should have a consistent
voice in order to meet customer
expectation.
Your voice should include some notes on
the effect of your voice tone on others.
“Voice tone” relates to the musical aspects
of your voice: It pertains to pitch, volume,
pace, and emphasis. People respond
instinctively to voice tone; either
positively or negatively.
Here are some of the tips to improve your voice
tone:
Avoid Panting (Breathlessness). Take deep
breath so that you have a meticulous (Clear)
flow of communication. Many people are
shallow breathers. This can cause the voice to
sound vague (Unclear)
Drink Lots of Water to keep the voice
sounding pleasant all day long. Do not let
your throat dry which may lead tickle in
throat
Use Gestures to make your voice sound
energetic. Gestures aid your voice to
emphasize words or phrases to get your
point across

5. Pause Wherever Necessary. Do not rush
and fumble your message content.
Speak With a Deeper Tone Avoid high pitch
tone rather practice speaking at a slightly
lower octave (Deep Voice)
Variability of Tones. A varied tone rises as
falls and emphasizes key words and phrases.
Emotions like enthusiasm, humour and
excitement are conveyed by the tone of your
voice. Think of people whom you regard as
great communicators. Is it true that these
people have a certain energy and dynamism
in the way they use their voice.
Give Enough Time For Your Message To
“Sink In” Before Delivering The Next One.
When you, slow down you have more time to
select the right words and phrases to express
your meaning exactly.
Do Not Hesitate.
Talk to whoever you
can. Decide among
your circle of friends
that you will only talk
in English with each
other. This way you can get rid of
hesitation and also speak at ease.
Start A Conversation With Strangers
In English. Since you do not know them
personally, you will feel less conscious
about what they would feel about you.
Maintaining a Diary to record the events of
your day is a great way to practice your
writing skills.
Read The Newspaper. Read it aloud when
you can. Concentrate on each word. Note
down the words you don’t understand and
learn their meanings.
Watch English Movies NEWS Channels.
Initially, you can read the sub-titles to
follow the conversation. As you practice
more, you will realize that you are able to
follow the conversation without reading the
sub-titles. This is one of the most effective
ways of improving your comprehension.
Podcasts are available on the internet.
These are audio and video files and many of
these can be downloaded for free. These are
a great way to practice listening skills and
develop an understanding of different
accents.
Another effective way is to Record Your
Own Voice and Listen to It. You will notice
hesitations and pauses. You may also notice
that you make some grammatical mistakes
while speaking that you do not make while
writing. You must aim to improve and
rectify these mistakes in subsequent
recordings.
Ask People who speak better for advice.
There is no shame in seeking help especially
if you are trying to improve yourself. Talk to
them in English and ask them to correct you
whenever you are wrong. Do not have a
negative mindset that you cannot learn.
In today’s electronic
age, with all its
gadgetry, for e.g,
Iphones, iPods,
Laptops, Blackberries
etc., information is
transmitted at the speed of light. Such
electronic devices, however, are only as
effective as the humans operating them,
which is why members of an organization
must possess proficiency in writing,
speaking, listening, and reading.
Writing Skills are important because the
majority of organizational communication
or correspondence is through the written
word, in the form of mails, letters,
announcements, proposals, reports,
memos, and perhaps case studies.
Speaking Skills are important because
members must be able to express ideas
verbally in a way that will both clearly get
points across and hold the interest of
listeners. Additionally, members might be
called upon to conduct presentations to
management, customers, or prospective
clients.
Listening Skills are the ability to listen ― or
the ability to tune in to the needs and

6. objectives of clients, customers, and
colleagues ― is the one skill that can make
the difference between a mediocre and a
good company.
Reading Skills are important because
members of an organization must be able to
interpret information correctly; moreover,
they must be able to proofread their own
written communications in order to ensure
their messages will be properly interpreted.
In summary, the reality is that members of an
organization can possess brilliant ideas for
company growth, product development, or
groundbreaking innovations, but unless they
can get those ideas across to management,
existing customers or potential clients
through good communication, those ideas
will come to nothing.
Many think that
communicating with
others is just verbal.
But what they didn’t
know is that actual
verbal
communication
accounts to only around 10% of the
overall means to convey a message. The
only way you can determine their true
inner feelings and thoughts is by reading
their body language. Some of the are
listed here:
Relaxed Posture - Comfortably seated,
relaxed breathing, no visible stiffness or
abrupt movements. These indicate no major
barriers to communication.
Arms Relaxed - Uncrossed arms and hands
open (palms up or otherwise visible to the
other person) are signs of openness.
Good Eye Contact - Looking in the other
person's eyes, particularly when they are
speaking, indicates interest in that person.
Proper eye contact involves looking away
occasionally to avoid staring
Nodding Agreement - When nods are used
to punctuate key things the other person has
said, they signal agreement, interest and
understanding.
Taking Notes - Shows interest
involvement, particularly if notes are on what
the other person is saying.
Smiling/ Adding Humor - This is a very
positive sign. It signals a warm personal
relationship
Leaning Closer - Reducing the distance
between two people, particularly when the
other person is speaking. Indicates interest is
up and barriers are down.
Gesturing Warmly - Talking with hands,
particularly with palms open, indicates
involvement in the conversation openness
to the other person.
Moderation is important. When they are
exaggerated, they can become more negative.
Our body language exhibits
far more information about
how we feel than it
is possible to articulate
verbally. All of the physical
gestures we make are
subconsciously interpreted
by others. This can work for or against us
depending on the kind of body language
we use. Some gestures project a very
positive message, while others do nothing
but set a negative tone
Body Tense – Wrinkled brow, jerky body
motion, hands clasped in front or palms
down on the table can indicate concern with
the topic or dealing with the other person
Arms Folded In Front - Creates a barrier;
can express resistance to what is being said.
Hand On Face - A hand over one's mouth is a
closed gesture. Leaning on one's elbow with
the chin in the hand can communicate
boredom
Fidgeting - Moving around a lot, playing with
things and drumming fingers are usually a
sign of boredom, nervousness or impatience.
Arms behind Head, Leaning Back - In a
well-established relationship this can be a
relaxed gesture. In a new relationship, it is
often used to express a desire for control or
power.

7. Yawning - Boredom, confusion. The other
person is talking too much or in too much
technical detail.
Impatience - Trying to interrupt what the
other person is saying, opening one's mouth
frequently as if to speak.
Distraction – Eyes flicking about, blank
stares, flipping through literature without
really reading it, looking at others in the
office, looking at the person's body or
clothing.
Leaning Away - Avoiding moving closer,
even when something is handed to the
person, is strongly negative.
Negative Facial Expressions - These include
shaking head, eyes narrowed, scowling,
frowning.
Negative body language creates a greater
impact on personal also professional image.
Appearance is an often
disregarded part of
communication and also
presentation skills. When
you are speaking in public
you may be representing
your organization or just
yourself, but it is still you in the front
line. It is you the other person, group or
audience sees and before you have time
to open your mouth and give an account
of yourself, certain assumptions, both
consciously and subconsciously, have been
made.
First Impressions are Very Important - They
Can Be About Attitude as Well as Dress.
Visual impact is at least as important as verbal
impact, people will very quickly make
assumptions based on your facial expressions,
the clothes you wear, how well groomed you
are and your body language
What sort of external image is appropriate to
the organization you represent? Only you can
answer this question. Due to the nature of the
work, some organizations are happy for people
to be casually dressed, while others may expect
smarter attire.
It is vital to be suitably dressed within
expected limits. Nobody expects you to be
packaged into something you are not, but your
appearance is a reflection of your own self-esteem
and you should aim to present yourself
to your best possible advantage. Whilst you
might be casually dressed when working
within your organization, a more formal
approach may well be preferable when
representing your organization at an external
meeting. Grooming and a tidy appearance
matters, whether casually or formally dressed.
Be Prepared And
Practice. Part of
being nervous during
an oral or
presentation is due to
the fact that you feel
like you will forget
critical pieces of
information or that you will get up front
of everyone and forget everything.
Practice, over and over, until you are able
to do your presentation with the minimal
amount of cue cards. Practice in different
settings, in front of different people.
Pick A Topic That Interests You. It is
hard to speak passionately and with conviction
when you are talking about something that you
couldn’t care about to save your life. Pick a
topic that you know about so that you will be
able to inject a little charisma into your speech.
When questions come around at the end, you
will be more equipped to answer them if you
love what you talked about.
Also, picking a topic that interests you, but that
you don’t necessarily know a lot about, makes
information found regarding that topic easier
to encode into long term memory and then to
retrieve it! Easier to remember makes for an
easier performance.
Don’t Leave The Audience Out. When the
audience is pulled into your speech, or is forced
to interact with you while you are giving your
speech, their curiosity and attention will be on

8. you. When you do not interact with the
audience, you are giving them a huge
opportunity to daydream, doze off and not
listen. Why spend all that time on a speech to
have your audience fall asleep?
Know Your Audience. Know who you will be
speaking to and tailor your speech accordingly.
If you are talking to medical students you can
use medical terms more liberally than if you
were talking to sociology majors.
Make It Simple To Understand. Not everyone
will understand what you are saying and not
everyone is interested in what you are saying.
Especially when the topic is difficult to start
with. Even when you define difficult terms they
may not keep up. No one cares about how
smart you sound. Losing your audience is not
ideal either, which is inevitable if they don’t
understand. If you have to use complicated
terms, complement them with an easy to
understand example of what you mean.
Complement Your Speech With Visual Aids.
Use power point slides or projectors. Illustrate
your examples and put definitions of difficult
concepts on simple slides. Some people learn
better visually.
Dress Properly. Do not dress like you are
staying in for the day, i.e. sweat pants…Dress
like you mean it and are interested in what you
are doing. Dress like you are taking this
seriously. What you wear says something
about you and people take those who dress
seriously, more seriously and think they are
more competent.
Keep Your Audience Hanging And Thinking.
Close your speech by leaving your audience
thinking. This will perpetuate your speech and
cultivate curiosity in others. It will also leave
you and your speech more memorable.
Everything from dressing to the way you
deliver your speech is important. It is through
practice that you will be able to relieve a bit of
the anxiety and fear that accompanies public
speaking. Speaking slow and with conviction
will captivate the audience and leave them
wanting more. Remember, anxiety is normal,
but if you work through it you will find that it is
not as bad as you make it out to be.
Some Related Useful Links:
Contents related to Spoken English:
http://www.espressoenglish.net/
http://www.englishleap.com/
Videos related to Communication Skills:
Step 1: http://www.youtube.com/
Step 2: Espresso English
Step 3: Find the related videos
Step 4: Follow the videos and practice
regularly for enhanced results.
Tongue twisters
are the
expressions those
are difficult to
articulate clearly.
But practice helps
to perk up SSSSppppooookkkkeeeennnn
EEEEnnnngggglllliiiisssshhhh and PPPPrrrroooonnnnuuuunnnncccciiiiaaaattttiiiioooonnnn immensely.
Tips to practice Tongue Twisters:
The first task is to prepare a list of tongue
twisters.
Once you have a good collection of tongue
twisters, start practicing them one at a
time.
Say them aloud and pronounce each word
slowly. Keep doing this till you don’t get
comfortable pronouncing each word
separately and clearly.
Speed up once you are comfortable and
have learnt the twister.
It’s better to do this exercise in front of
others so that they could guide you and
also measure your improvement.
“A Tutor Who Tooted The Flute
Tried To Tutor Two Tooters To Toot.
Said The Two To Their Tutor:
Is It Harder To Toot,
Or To Tutor Two Tooters To Toot?”

9. When things go wrong, As they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.