Just How Important Are Communication Skills? A Look at How to Improve the Way We Communicate
In today’s complex, fast-moving world, effective communication has never been more important, or more challenging. Communication tools evolve, business teams are a mix of remote and hybrid across multiple time zones, and social media platforms change the way we share news. The good news is that communication is a skill that can be learned and refined, and adapted to your environment. Whether you’re a business leader, student, or simply interested in being a better communicator, understanding and learning the value of good communication skills can be truly transformative in both your personal and professional life, as well as for your mental health.
The Importance of Good Communication
Communication is a two-way street, one filled with obstacles like spoken and written words, visual cues, facial expressions, body language and gestures, vocal pitches, and even physical elements like surrounding noise or distractions. Effective communication is understanding and utilizing all of these elements to properly identify the need or ask and create a solution that satisfies all parties.
Good communication builds trust and fosters stronger connection by ensuring:
- Open and welcoming body language
- Clear, concise speech
- Active listening
- Messaging that matches the audience
- Empathetic and respectful language
- Willingness to adapt language to the audience
What Can Affect Good Communication?
- Emotional Struggles: Dealing with stress, depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges can affect messaging.
- Distractions: Technology, crowds, difficulty concentrating, and other distractions often result in poor communication.
- Personal Bias: Coming into a discussion with preconceived beliefs or bias about a topic can lead to difficult conversations.
- Cultural Differences: Different beliefs, upbringings, values, and social norms may skew one’s ability to receive, respect, or properly speak to a topic.
- Rise of Technology: Over-reliance on digital tools may result in poorly developed communication skills.
How Technology Has Changed the Way We Communicate
Technology, including social media, has a profound impact on personal and business communication, both verbally and written, as well as how that communication may affect our mental health. While it’s become an undeniably integral part of daily life over the last couple decades, knowing how to use it and what issues to watch for is important when considering proper communication.
The Downsides of Technology:
Lack of Focus
The more technology evolves, the more it seems people lose interest in longer, meaningful conversations. We have the ability to scroll as soon as we’re bored, but in real life this “digital distraction” can lead to a lack of active listening, inability to interpret cues, and a preoccupation or even addiction to screens to the point that face-to-face interactions are completely avoided.
Lack of Non-Verbal Cues
Reading text on a screen isn’t the same as face-to-face communication. We miss verbal intonations, expressions, body language, and other important aspects of communication. Digital communication has adapted to this through the use of memes, slang, and emojis, but text-based communication leaves a lot open to interpretation. Similarly, people who rely on text communication will likely find it more difficult to accurately express themselves in person, which may result in spikes in anxiety during these encounters.
Demand for Short-Form News
More and more people get their news online, from social media platforms, news apps, and just general web browsing. In fact, a 2023 Pew Research Center study showed that about one-third of Americans ages 18 to 29 regularly reply on TikTok for news. With attention spans on the decline, news outlets must adapt to short-form media that informs users before they scroll, which affects how stories are communicated.
Loss of Proper Grammar
With social media and technology came the rise of character limits, summarized writing, and media-as-text. More and more people reply on abbreviations, memes, GIFs, emojis, and shorthand to communicate, often at the expense of grammar, literacy, writing skills, and the ability to properly frame a message for tone and intent.
Potential for Bad Behavior
Social media allows for a more anonymous type of communication, which can result in trolling and harassment. While bullying in general isn’t a new behavior, online bullying can not only drastically affect a person’s mental health, leading to depression or even thoughts of self-harm, but may also discourage communication by scaring users away.
Positive Impacts of Technology in Communication
Now, this is not to say that technology is bad for communication! Indeed, social media has had a positive influence on communication by making it easier than ever to connect with people no matter where they’re located across the world, and even create their own digital communities centered around shared interests and collaborations. It also gives people a way to express themselves more creatively, helps corporate brands better connect to their consumer bases, and shares news and stories users may not have otherwise been exposed to through traditional outlets. This sense of connection and belonging can help those who may feel isolated, or otherwise unable to bond with like-minded individuals, thereby boosting both their mental health and communication skills.
How Can I Improve Communication Skills?
As you can see, communication is more than just verbal, nonverbal, or written skills alone. It’s a combination of both to ensure body language, gestures, voice tones, and language used send the message you want to convey. Leaders, in particular, should be dedicated to strengthening these skills in order to communicate project needs, mediate employee disputes or concerns, and create supportive workplace environments.
Tips for Improving Nonverbal Skills:
- Maintain eye contact
- Respect personal space
- Avoid defensive postures
- Mirror body language
- Don’t sigh or turn away
- Consider your facial expression
- Practice active listening
- Put away distractions
- Don’t interrupt
- Pay attention to nuances
Tips for Improving Verbal Skills:
- Show empathy
- Pay attention to word choice
- Be concise
- Practice or plan your words
- Summarize the speaker’s talking points
- Watch your tone
- Ask open-ended questions
Tips for Improving Written Skills:
- Use proper grammar
- Be concise and precise
- Aim for readability
- Avoid slang or idioms
- Set the proper tone
- Proofread/think before sending
Take Your Communication to the Next Level
Strong communication builds trust, fosters meaningful connections, and drives collaboration. Poor communication skills, on the other hand, can impact career growth, drive conflict, stall progress, affect friendships or familial relationships, and even diminish overall happiness and mental health. Keep these tips for communication skills in mind as you navigate the workplace or personal relationships to protect your mental health while fostering a better environment for yourself and those around you.
Have more questions or want to discuss your mental health? Contact us today for a consultation!
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Resources:
8 Ways You Can Improve Your Communication Skills
Harvard Division of Continuing Education
How to Improve Communication Skills in Any Everyday Setting
American Military University
The Relationship Between Social Media And Communication
Varsity College
How Social Media Affects Communication
University of the People
