Active listening makes you a better communicator. If you haven’t listened properly, your response or feedback can be faulty.

It helps to relate with people, as it makes them naturally drawn towards you. This skill is essential in any work or social setting.

Your enthusiasm, energy, empathy and sincerity speak volumes and add to your verbal and non-verbal communication.

The essence of communication is to inform, influence, inspire, motivate, learn, socialize and build relationships. Communication makes possible persuasion, negotiation, and improved work delivery.

Being able to persuade is an essential skill. Your ideas, without any convincing power can be worth nothing, even if they are good.

If part of a team, ensure that the team communication is promoting productivity and togetherness, forging a sense of community and harmony.

Your words need to be interesting both in terms of content (what is being said) and delivery (how it is being said) to be able to draw the people towards what you are trying to say.

Communicating with emotion, while sometimes useful, can ‘taint’ or filter your content in unpredictable ways. Put your emotions under control while communicating.

This is one of the most neglected pieces of action, and is a must.

Our bias, personal feelings, prejudice, and interpretations wreak havoc on our communication.