Language and the ability to link and share knowledge are fundamental aspects for coexistence and even for the mental and physical health of the human being.

Communicating is essential and allows us to interact with our peers and even with other animal species. In our daily lives we do not stop doing so, since every act or even its absence is communicative.

But are we capable of communicating effectively? In this article we offer you a series of 24 keys of the great communicators when it comes to establishing an effective communication .

Knowing how to express oneself and make oneself understood

Communicating involves the exchange of information between two or more subjects by using various codes through which they can transmit.

But doing so effectively does not only imply that a subject A sends a message to a subject B. For the communication to be effective, it is necessary to establish a climate of understanding and mutual respect in which both interlocutors transmit the message in a clear, concise and unambiguous way, the content of the message being coherent with the attitude present in the communication.

It is essential that the act allows both components to express themselves and be actively heard , as well as maintaining a language adjusted to the capacities of both subjects.

We are immersed in an increasingly individualistic society, which makes effective communication difficult. People tend to express themselves continuously without leaving space for others to answer and without really listening to what the other has to say, in addition to the frequent use of ambivalence and ambiguity that can give rise to different interpretations.

24 keys to effective communication

Below you can find a series of aspects to take into account in order to establish effective communication.

1. Maintain eye contact

The look is a fundamental element in the communicative act, since it is highly expressive. To hold it in a natural and not forced way supposes a show of interest towards what we are being told or towards our interlocutor. The listener feels more easily that he or she is being attended to and accepted as part of the communicative act. A look that avoids eye contact may imply a lack of interest, confidence or even lies in the communicative act.

2. Use a tone of voice appropriate to the context

The tone of voice is also an important element in effective communication. The right tone will depend on the type of communication to be established, the content of the message or the situation in which it is given. In general, a tone of voice without deep ups and downs is recommended.

3. Let your body support your message

Gesture and postural communication say much more than most people seem to think. Depending on the non-verbal language we use, we may be supporting or even contradicting the verbal message, which can be interpreted differently. Our posture and gestures should accompany the message transmitted and even enrich it.

4. Active listening

A common mistake that many people make today is that we tend to talk without listening to what the other person is saying, as if they were waiting to continue their conversation without the other person’s response being important. With this, the other person may feel neglected and in turn the interest in maintaining the communicative act may cease.

5. Respect the opinion of others

We can have a very specific position on a given subject, but this does not have to coincide with that of our interlocutors. If we want a communication to be effective it is necessary to be able to accept unconditionally the possibility of finding divergent positions and respect them even though we do not share them , no matter how far from our own they may be.

6. Clear message

It is important that our message is clear and concise, using an understandable and unambiguous vocabulary. Otherwise, multiple interpretations may be given, making the objectives pursued in the communicative act difficult.

7. Language adjusted to the reality of the interlocutor

If we want to be efficient in our communication, it is necessary to take into account that not all our audience is going to have the same educational level , knowledge, vocabulary or even understanding capacity. It is necessary to adjust the type of language used to the reality of the audience in question.

8. Use of empathy

Connecting and establishing a positive rapport with our interlocutor is fundamental if we want to establish a correct climate that facilitates mutual understanding and fluidity in communication.

9. Don’t use corseted messages

When it comes to communication it is easy to pull out stereotypes and already known formulas . Although formalism may be necessary on some occasions, generally the use of typified messages offers a perspective of cold and impersonal communication that diminishes real interest and leads the listener to think about what the purpose of the sender of the message is.

We must also bear in mind that while it is good to have possible questions in mind, we must be able to give our speech a certain spontaneity that makes it look authentic.

10. Consider the context

It’s not the same being at a conference, a wedding or a funeral. The message must be adapted not only to the subject and its vital reality but also to the environment in which the communicative exchange takes place .

11. Act assertively

During the communicative exchange, we must be careful not to overwhelm our interlocutors and impose our will independently of their opinion, nor let ourselves be dragged down by the opinion of others. We must be able to defend our position fully while respecting the opinion of the other.

12. Coherence

If we want our communication to be effective, it is useful to focus on aspects that the other person can understand without having to interpret excessively and without the meaning of the message varying from one moment to the next. Coherence in discourse is essential.

13. Question and paraphrase

That our interlocutor perceives interest on our part is a relevant aspect when it comes to establishing effective communication. The fact of asking shows that we are listening to him/her and allows us to finish understanding or making the other person understand the parts of the message that are not clear. Paraphrasing serves to make us see that we are listening while allowing us to organize the fundamental parts of the speech.

14. Respect speaking turns

An act of communication is established between two or more people. If we are talking about an oral communication, it is necessary that all involved commit themselves to respect the other’s turn to speak without continuously interrupting the other’s message.

15. Anticipate possible responses

On many occasions those who receive the message will have doubts and questions, or different events may occur during the communicative act. Anticipating this possibility and having some plan of action or some possible response prepared will help provide the message with greater security and effectiveness.

16. Don’t just give orders

Effective communication is carried out from respect and education with respect to the person receiving the communication. If the transmission of information is carried out in an authoritarian way, it can be seen as punitive and generate rejection and reaction.

17. Emotional self-management

It is frequent that during communication different sensations, emotions and feelings emerge . Although it is beneficial that they may come to light and may even improve effectiveness by increasing understanding between the interlocutors, we should not let them go to the extreme and prevent us from exchanging information or from achieving the objective of the communication.

18. Have a goal and make it honestly clear

If we want to have an efficient communication, it is essential to be clear about what we want with it, as well as being able to transmit it and argue in a way that the communication can facilitate its achievement. It is highly recommended to be honest and authentic , without trying to manipulate the other.

19. Themes, one at a time

Starting with one topic and then varying others and then going back to the original can be effective at times, but if it is not very planned it usually tends to confuse the listener about the topic being discussed. It would be useful to treat the topics in an orderly fashion in order to maintain the internal coherence of the speech.

20. Avoid generalities and detours

A clear and concise message gets to the recipient sooner and can be more efficient than taking long detours on a topic before reaching the actual target.

21. Tries to approach communication in a positive way

Regardless of the type of message that is transmitted, communications that consider and elaborate concepts from a positive and constructive perspective tend to be much more efficient and well accepted.

22. Do not overextend communication

Although making a long and elaborate speech can be attractive when it comes to communicating a large number of ideas, it must be taken into account that people have a certain attention span and that the longer an argument is, the more likely it is that information will be lost along the way. Short speeches that make clear the different key arguments tend to be much more effective.

23. Motivation

Keeping people motivated is essential, and helps both to maintain interest in the exchange and for it to produce some kind of positive outcome. Giving space for our interlocutor to express his or her doubts, favouring their expression and answering them can be highly motivating, as can the focus given to the message.

24. Integrate and be open to adding or considering other people’s views

It is important that no matter how much one tries to defend a certain idea, the points of view of others are taken into account. To make your own speech more efficient, it is advisable to spontaneously use some of the elements that other people have added and discuss them.

This, on the one hand, makes it clear that takes into account the contributions of others , while on the other hand it can reinforce or qualify the message to be transmitted.