Conversational Skills: Developing the Gift of Gab
If you weren't born with the gift of gab, or the ability to talk to anyone on any given subject, don't worry. Like most things in life, good conversational skills can be developed. Knowing how to communicate effectively is beneficial in many different areas of life. Persons who aren't afraid to speak up usually perform well at work, and advance quickly within a company. In fact, many employers acknowledge that good oral communication makes a job applicant stand out, and improves their odds of getting hired.
Here are four tips to help you develop excellent oral communication skills.
1. Relax: If you think too much about an encounter, you'll likely freeze in the middle of the conversation and appear nervous. Going on a job interview and social gatherings evoke anxiety in many people. One way to overcome this problem is to stop worrying about how others may perceive you. It takes two people to have a meaningful conversation. Offer a smile, and confidently ask simple questions such as, "how are you," "are you having fun."
2. Use Humor: If you have a funny side to your personality, break the ice with a joke. Be tasteful. Everyone may not appreciate your sick sense of humor or crude jokes. You don't have to be the party clown, nor does your joke have to create a bellow of laughter.
3. Don't Monopolize the Conversation: When nervous, some people have the tendency to "shoot off at the mouth." In other words, they ramble uncontrollably. If trying to make a good first impression, don't talk too much. If the person asks you a simple question such as, "where are you from," offer a short 30 second answer. This is not an invitation to disclose you entire past, and talk for ten uninterrupted minutes. The person is probably not interested in where you attended elementary school, or the fact that you've lived in ten different cities.
4. Know When to End the Conversation: Person with poor communication skills dread the "awkward silence." If the conversation starts to die, you could casually change the topic and ask the person a question that's completely off subject; or you could simply say, it's been nice talking with you," and move on.
Other tips to help you achieve good conversational skills include:
- Looking people in the eye - don't stare.
- Not interrupting the person speaking
- Asking follow-up questions
- Listening attentively - don't look bored
- Give others the opportunity to speak
