The Art of Speaking
Communication is a necessary skill for all of life. We use it on a daily basis. Anytime we speak with someone or send a quick text, we are engaging in a form of communication. It stands to reason, then, that we would want to learn how to communicate effectively.
This is especially true when it comes to learning how to communicate face-to-face. While it is relatively easy to say what you need to say in a text message or in an email, it becomes significantly more challenging in-person. What was once simply an exchange of neutral words becomes a much more complex task. Tone of voice, volume, pacing, and many other variables can change the way other people receive your words, both for good and for ill.
In this article, we will discuss some of the ways that you can improve your ability to verbally express yourself.
Speaking Clearly
If we wanted to break down the challenge of verbal communication, we might name two categories. First is the job of speaking clearly—of making ourselves understandable to our audience.
The task of speaking with clarity is the first and most important task of communication. You can’t be successful in persuading or inspiring others if you can’t make yourself understood.
Unfortunately, speaking with clarity is often easier said than done. But there are a few things that you can begin to implement that, with practice, will make you into a much clearer communicator.
First, learn to speak with the proper tempo. Many people suffer from talking too quickly, and this can make it difficult for others to understand and retain what you want to communicate.
As a general rule, it is much better to talk too slowly than too fast. So if you begin to feel like you’re talking too slowly, it’s probably a good indication that you are at just the right tempo.
Secondly, try to be attentive to your speech patterns. If you use a lot of filler words such as “um” or “like,” try to decrease your reliance on them. Is better to pause for a moment as you search for words. This will make others more attentive to the words that you do say.
Finally, as you become more comfortable with pausing as you think about what to say next, learn to pay close attention to the words that you choose. Make an effort to select words that express what you want to say with precision. This doesn’t mean picking the biggest words so that others will think you are the smartest in the room. Rather, it means choosing the best words for the job.
Speaking Effectively
The second part of the equation for effective verbal communication is learning how to speak in a compelling way. To persuade and inspire others requires presenting yourself well while remaining aware of your audience and their individual interests, needs, and skills.
To present yourself well, you must first understand your context. Are you going to be somewhere that is more formal? More casual? Somewhere in between? Then you should speak, act, and even dress in a way that fits that environment.
Once you know your setting, you should consider your audience. Even if you aren’t giving a formal speech, you will still be interacting with a certain group of people. Consider what you know about them and use this to inform your approach.
Finally, the best way to improve as a communicator is to practice. Step outside of your comfort zone and get in situations where you need to practice verbal communication. Pay attention to your own patterns of speech and make intentional improvements. Ask a person that you trust to give you good advice and see if there are any improvements they might suggest.
Becoming an effective communicator is not something that happens overnight. But with time, practice, and intentionality, you will be well on your way towards speaking with clarity and persuasion.
