The Connection Between Good Communication and Productivity
Good Communication=Increased Productivity
Tips for improving communication:
1. Speak clearly at a normal pace (not too fast or too slowly) and pronounce your words. Be careful not to over-pronounce. If you exaggerate how you are saying something, that can be worse than mumbling or slurring your words.
2. Overcome the urge to speak louder when someone doesn't understand what you're saying. Speaking louder will not make them understand the words that you are saying. Learn to modify your words instead of your tone and volume.
3. Keep eye contact and don't cover your mouth while you are speaking. When someone is trying to understand you, they are most likely looking at your mouth to observe the way you are pronouncing the words you are saying. Just remember that how you are saying something is just as important as what you are saying. Physical cues are extremely important. After you say something, always look the person in the eye to try to ascertain whether they understood you or not.
4. Do not use slang. Non-English speakers will be especially confused if you speak heavily in metaphors. Speak using the simplest and fewest words possible.
5. SHOW and TELL. While you are telling someone something, use hand gestures and physical examples of what you are telling them. Keep eye contact to stay connected and be sure that they are following you.
6. Be patient. It takes just a couple of extra minutes to successfully communicate with someone who doesn't instinctively understand you, but the results are definitely worth it.
7. Say "thank you" and call people by their name. No one wants to be referred to as "hey, you" and people really try to understand you more when they feel welcome and needed.
Make that first connection and, each time you attempt to communicate, it will get easier and easier. Never give up and never surrender to the frustration of breaks in communiciation. Choose to have a better day.