A strong grasp of all types of communication skills is essential to qualify as an effective articulator and communicator. These skills count as must-have skills in the corporate workspace.
As a corporate professional, you need to have solid communication abilities to pursue your tasks and collaborate with team members. There are various types of communication skills such as verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual communication.
You will need proficiency in all types of communication skills to structure your resume, perform well in interviews, and even write your resignation letter effectively to avoid burning bridges.
As a communication professional, I believe good communication abilities empower the individual and enhance their self-confidence to the next level. These skills can be a major asset in your career.
Check out the blog to know more about the types of communication skills, their importance, and ways to improve them.
What is Communication?
Communication can be defined as a process through which individuals exchange emotions, feelings, and information through verbal or non-verbal methods.
The process requires a sender, a medium, and a receiver. While the sender encodes the message and transmits it through a medium, the receiver decodes the message.
Another pro-tip of communication is to minimise the communication barriers to further streamline the process. There are various types of barriers that destroy the intent of the messages in all types of communication skills.
For some jobs, you will be directly evaluated for having good communication skills, such as Content Executive, whereas there are other job profiles for which efficient communication is not the mandate but is important for picturing or conveying your ideas properly.
However, mastering all types of communication skills will help you formulate your messages properly and collaborate effectively with other team members.
Importance of Types of Communication Skills in the Workplace
Have you ever been in a situation where you had an excellent idea but could not pitch it with the same intensity? Then, you must have realised the importance of strong communication skills.
According to many communication experts, the complete idea of communication is sometimes considered to be the only one needed in professional development. However, having a strong skill set for communication can undoubtedly propel your career forward and will also help in forging personal relationships.
Here are some of the important areas where different types of communication skills will be of great help in the workplace.
It improves team collaboration and coordination.
It helps in strengthening professional relationships and enhancing networking.
It facilitates growth and development by seeking advice and feedback.
It reduces misunderstandings and encourages innovation.
According to a survey conducted in-house, out of 500 employees, 450 of them believe that communication skills are one of the most important skills for the workplace. Some even expressed the challenges they face, due to their inability to communicate properly. It is of huge importance to get a hold of all types of communication skills to succeed in the workplace.
Types of Communication Skills
There is a common notion that good communication skills are only needed at the time of the interview. Well, there’s more to it as effective communication strategies are also required at every stage of the corporate workspace.
From starting a conversation with your colleague and manager to providing feedback positively, you need to have strong communication skills to make your message clear, coherent, polite, and most importantly professional.
Sometimes, you might only use a specific type of skill, at other times you will need a blend of all types of communication skills to complete the tasks.
For example, providing feedback to the candidates will only require you to have effective written communication skills, on the other hand, giving a presentation will need you to have remarkable verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual communication skills.
Check out the different types of communication skills listed below:
Verbal Communication
Non-Verbal Communication
Written Communication
Visual Communication
What is Verbal Communication Skill?
Verbal communication involves the use of spoken words to communicate and convey information. It is one of the types of communication skills that is considered to be the primary way of communicating. It can happen through various mediums, such as through conversations, phone calls, speeches, mobile phones, video conferencing, etc.
The types of verbal communication are interpersonal skills, intrapersonal communication skills, group discussion, public speaking skills, etc.
Examples of Verbal Communication:
Conversations
Meetings
Presentations
Public Speaking
Interviews
Debate
Negotiations
Telephone conversations
Classroom teaching
Announcements
How to Improve Verbal Communication in the Workplace?
To develop proficiency in this type of communication skill you need to take care of every aspect of oral communication, such as tone of voice, voice modulation, intonation, etc. Here are some worthy tips that will help you improve all types of communication skills.
Speak Confidently: Effective verbal communication provides you with the opportunity to showcase your real personality. Ensure speaking confidently and coherently. You will be able to gain confidence by practising well.
Be Loud and Clear: You should be heard, to be understood. Make sure that each word you speak should be audible and pronounced clearly.
Develop Active Listening Skills: Just as an avid reader can be an exceptional writer, similarly a good listener can be an exemplary speaker. Develop mastery in active listening skills that will help you decode the feedback of the communication process. Remember, active listening is an equally important skill as effective speaking. As per communication Christopher Morley, “There is only one rule for being a good talker – learn to listen.”
Focus on Vocabulary: The foremost step is to improve your vocabulary. In addition, you must know how to trim or customise your vocabulary according to the place you are using it. If you are in a meeting with professionals who hold expertise in the same domain, you can use the technical jargon and complex vocabulary they will understand, on the other hand, if you are explaining a concept to a layman, then you need to explain it in a simple and easily understandable language.
Boost Public Speaking Skills: You can participate in various events, and take part in competitions that will help you enhance your public speaking skills and build confidence. If you get the confidence to face the public and speak, trust me, you have already won half the battle. The next is to keep honing your speaking skills, vocabulary, and grammar. To overcome public speaking anxiety, facing your fear and participating in various public speaking events can be helpful to you.
I remember getting nervous on stage despite preparing the fresher speech in my college. I started working on my speaking skills, and these tips have been a saviour for me. Afterward, I participated in various public speaking events, and have also won laurels for the same. It is a practice that can only help you perfect all types of communication skills.
What is Non-Verbal Communication?
Communication has not restricted its boundaries to the proper utilisation of words. Various types of communication skills also include body language, gestures, and facial expressions. This type of communication hugely complements verbal communication. For example, at times our facial expressions convey feelings that even words cannot.
Henceforth, along with verbal communication you need to brush up on your non-verbal communication skills as well. For instance, at times we start losing interest at the end of long meetings, and it makes a mark on our faces. There you need to know how to adopt positive body language to be an active listener and in turn an effective communicator.
Types of Non-verbal Communication
Posture [The way you sit or stand reflects your confidence].
Gestures [Hand movements, head nods, closed fists, etc].
Facial Expressions [These are involuntary gestures, such as shock, anger, or surprise].
Proxemics [The physical proximity of two individuals can indicate their relationship, like standing too close can indicate intrusiveness while too much distance can reflect disengagement.
Haptics: Touch also conveys a huge range of emotions such as a firm handshake showing respect, and a hug displaying affection.
Paralanguage: The tone, pitch, and volume of your voice complement the meaning of your message. The same sentence said with different tones can entirely change the message’s meaning.
Dresses and Appearance: The way you dress also communicates in a certain way. For example, draping a professional outfit will help you convey your professionalism and attention to detail. For example, dressing formally for an interview will indicate your seriousness for the role, and communicate respect and seriousness.
How to Improve Non-Verbal Communication?
You must have realised the importance of non-verbal communication and the need to attain proficiency in the same. Follow the below-mentioned tips to gain proficiency in all types of communication skills.
If you are meeting someone for the first time, make sure you have a smile on your face, make eye contact, and have a powerful handshake for a positive first impression.
Here are some ways to improve your body language and master this type of communication skill as well.
Be Cautious of Your Body Language: Pay attention to your body language, at times due to apprehension or anxiety we tend to close our fists, reflecting defensive behaviour. You should always have open and inviting body language.
Eye Contact: You should maintain eye contact in around 60-70% of the conversation. You must not stare or appear intimidating when maintaining eye contact. Also, keep in mind the cultural norms of the individual while maintaining eye contact.
Maintain the Right Posture: Try to maintain the right posture like keeping your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Remember, a good body posture not only helps in indicating a high confidence level but also helps in boosting it.
Use Gestures: Slightly moving your hands and fingers while speaking to emphasise certain points might make your communication more engaging. But, it is advised to be mindful that you don’t overuse them, these can be distracting for the listeners.
Avoid Negative Non-Verbal Cues: Some nonverbal communication cues to avoid in presentations and meetings are defensive postures. You must not cross your arms, be fidgety, or regularly check time, these signs show your disinterest in the meeting. Rather, always try to maintain eye contact, nod, and smile whenever required.
Take Care of Cultural Differences in Nonverbal Communication: Some signs and gestures can mean differently in other cultures, such as eye contact or thumbs up can be perceived differently by people with diverse cultural backgrounds. You must take into consideration the cultural background of the individual and keep the same in mind while communicating.
Written Communication
Written communication is the process of conveying information in the form of written words. It is a primary method of communication that is used across various academic, personal, and professional contexts.
Examples of Written Communication
Emails
Letters
Reports
Memos
Articles
Essays
Text Message
Social Media Posts
Notice
How to Improve Written Communication?
Having a strong hold on written communication will help you in being more clear, coherent, and effective. In the era of Artificial Intelligence, structuring content is considered to be easy. However, this again is a myth. Artificial intelligence can be used as a sidekick to complement our skills, not as an actual writer.
The words structured in a proper sentence are necessary, but what is even more important is that those words should convey and evoke emotions. Only emotions can connect individuals, and humans are empowered with emotions. So, do not fall into the trap that with the advent of AI, written skills are no longer needed. They are still equally important.
Here are some worthy tips that will help you improve your writing skills. Check out the below-mentioned tips to learn the way to master these types of communication skills.
Know your audience: Before even thinking of a topic to write on, remember to pick your target audience. You should know about their interests, knowledge, and expectations. Your ultimate goal while writing is to cater to the needs of the target audience and resonate with them.
Check the Tone: You should always customise and tailor your tone to adjust to the preferences of the target audience.
Plan and Organise your thoughts: You must plan and structure your thoughts for your article. Having a rough layout in your mind and maintaining a flow of the content will help to engage your audience.
Emphasise Clarity: Clarity is a must! You should always avoid writing lengthy sentences or complex words. Break the paragraphs and structure the content in bullet points.
Have a Strong Hold on Grammar and Punctuation: You must improve grammar and punctuation for professional writing. Revise basic grammatical rules and get yourself acquainted with the usage of punctuation. These are the key elements for creating a strategised approach to writing.
Develop a strong writing style: Your writing style reflects your personality. The way you choose to write should echo your voice. The writing style should be engaging. Some short sentences can be combined with larger ones to keep the readers’ interest intact.
Take Feedback Constructively: This is the golden rule of writing and communications! You must request your readers, and mentors to provide you with feedback. This is a good way to learn about the lagging areas and boost your writing skills.
Read Analytically: Only a passionate reader can be an incredible writer! You must keep reading some of the famous genres, novels, and other reading sources. Exposing yourself to various writing styles will enable you to learn more about how other authors write and engage their readers.
Use Writing Tools: As stated above, make AI tools your friends. You can utilise some of the tools to check grammar and the quality of the content being created. Thanks to the tools, they help minimise the time spent on the writing process and also help in reducing the creative block.
Practise Writing: Regular practise will refine your writing skills. You must dedicate separate time to practise and elevate your writing skills. Try to push your boundaries and improve your skills each time you are practising. You can make sure that your next article or write-up is better than the previous one.
By regularly practising and incorporating all the mentioned tips you will be able to develop a flair for persuasive writing techniques. These will also help you learn effective writing for reports and proposals. Getting complete knowledge of all types of communication skills will help you become a perfect writer. I have been a content writer for over 2.5 years and following these tips has helped me enhance my writing skills.
Visual Communication
Visual communication is the way of communicating your ideas, information, and messages through visual elements. It includes logos, infographics, graphics, symbols, and colours.
Remember those pictures from your favourite book in school? How those pictures have left a mark on our minds. We might not remember the words, but know about the pictures. That is the power of these types of communication skills, which not only convey their message but also leave a lasting impression.
Examples of visual communication:
Charts and Infographics
Diagrams
Graphs
Photographs
Illustrations
Icons
Symbols
Videos
Presentations
Advertisement
Web Design
Product Packaging
Interactive Media
How to Improve Visual Communication?
When we say that pictures speak more than words, it describes the power of visual communication. The books or write-ups with strong illustrations capture our attention more than simple words. Sometimes, we tend to remember a story only through illustrations.
Hence, we all know how visual communication has a compelling impact on the human brain. Learn some of the important tips listed below to learn how to master the skills of visual communication.
Get to know your audience: You must know about the preferences, level of knowledge, etc about your audience and then create infographics that engage your audience.
Focus on Clarity and Simplicity: The simpler it is, the better it will be able to convey the intended message. Use colour, guide, and hues accordingly.
Use high-quality images and use relevant images. You must choose high-resolution images to enhance the quality of the graphics.
Understand colour psychology and how different colours can evoke various emotions.
You must use appropriate fonts, sizes, and colours for the same to enhance the visual effects.
The presentations in the office can be made more attractive by effectively utilising colour psychology and design principles for effective presentation. Data visualisation techniques for business are also a part of visual communication.
How to Overcome Communication Breakdowns?
The communication barriers can create misunderstandings in everyday interactions in all types of communication skills. At times, the messages are not decoded properly or due to semantics, they can not be understood.
Language Barriers: Focus on your target audiences, and then tailor your language accordingly. You must choose your vocabulary according to the target audience. Try to make your message simple, coherent, and clear.
Cultural Differences: Learn about different cultures, traditions, and norms. Structure your content in a way that it resonates with them. Also, when you are creating content for your audience, you must be mindful of using vocabulary that does not offend their religious sentiments.
Physical Barriers: At times, distance and environmental factors hinder communication. Efficient usage of technology, video calls, messaging, and emails to minimise the disruption in the communication process.
Psychological Barriers: The stress and emotional state can also affect the way messages are decoded by the receivers. You should stay calm, and practise some of the meditation techniques. You must be empathetic, and provide support to the ones whom you feel are anxious and distressed.
Perceptual Barriers: The pre-formed perceptions can distort communication intent and meaning. You should always ask for feedback and clarification. If you are the receiver, then avoid your preconceived notions to hinder the communication process.
Semantic Barriers: These barriers are a way that arise due to miscommunications or misunderstandings. A word can often mean differently to others due to semantic barriers. To overcome this barrier, you should use simple and precise language and avoid using technical jargon.
Socioeconomic Barriers: These barriers stem from the social and economic conditions of the candidates. They impact the abilities of the candidates to access equal opportunities, resources, etc. To overcome this barrier, the candidates must choose the right channels of communication that will reach all sections of society. You should use an inclusive and sensitive approach when structuring your message.
To reduce these barriers, one needs to be proactive, empathetic, and open-minded. Here are some ways to improve communication skills and reduce barriers:
Active Listening
Listen carefully to the speaker, and try to understand their intent, perception, and point of view. Do not interrupt them in between. Suppose, your manager is providing you with feedback, you must try to understand their perspectives, rather than just listening to respond or defend yourself.
Clarity
If during a conversation, you are not clear about what is being communicated, then you must not hesitate to ask again for clarification. You must be sure that both of you are on the same page. For instance, this usually happens over phone calls, due to loose network issues we tend to miss out on certain information being communicated. Clarifying the same is always better than misunderstanding it or not being clear with it.
Empathy and Understanding
It is the golden rule of communication. You need to develop the ability to connect with the target audiences. Having empathy helps the communicator form a deeper connection with the speaker.
Keep Target Audience in Mind
You need to write or speak for the audience, and not for yourself. So, considering your target audience will help you alter your message accordingly.
Manage Emotions
This is again a tough nut to crack. If not our words, our facial expressions mirror our actions. Do not reply when you are angry, disappointed, or overwhelmed with emotions. Take a moment, step back, and then respond. For instance, if you get in a conflict with your colleague, you might end up showing anger and dejection, while the other way around can be to understand their point of view and try to find a middle ground.
Practise
It is easier said than done, you must keep practising to develop these skills. Do not be hard on yourself, keep honing your skills.
In a nutshell, you must have understood the importance of mastering all the types of skills to boost your professional career. Communication comes with practise, so keep practising and improving your skills.
Knowing how to communicate effectively is one of the greatest assets that we have and must always try to improve it further. Be open to constructive criticism and make use of some of the key tools to know where you are lagging and how can you improve further.
FAQs on Type of Communication
Q1. What is the difference between formal and informal communication?
The formal communication follows a structured format and a highly professional tone and writing style. It is used in emails, reports, and meetings. On the other hand, informal communication is followed on a casual note and the exchange of ideas is quick and flexible.
Q2. Which types of communication skills are interpersonal?
Interpersonal communication includes face-to-face communication between individuals. Verbal, written, non-verbal, and visual communication can all be types of interpersonal communication. Some examples of interpersonal communication are listed below:
Presentations
Interviews
Personal Discussions
Q3. What are the types of non-verbal communication in the workplace?
Various types of communication skills are needed in the workplace such as positive body language in meetings, nodding, and smiling occasionally during any discussions, and firm handshakes. Some other non-verbal communication skills are proxemics, haptics, and professional appearance.
Q4. What are the benefits of visual communication in business?
Visual communication in the business helps simplify complex information and enhances understanding and retention of information. The visuals are usually used in presentations to catch the attention of the individuals present in the meeting room. These types of communication skills also play a crucial role in presenting the data.
Q5. How to overcome nervousness during presentations?
You must practise thoroughly for the presentations, and familiarise yourself with the content of the presentation. Practise it several times before the actual presentation. You can also record your voice and then listen to it to identify the lagging points and rectify them.
Q6. What is the importance of non-verbal communication?
Non-verbal communication is important for conveying emotions, attitudes, and intent. These types of communication skills are sometimes considered even more powerful than words. Gestures, facial expressions, and postures make communication more effective and meaningful.
Q7. What are the business writing tips for email?
To structure an effective business email, you must use professional language and tone. Keep it short and well-structured by having short paragraphs and adding bullets. Always maintain a polite tone and proofread for errors.
Q8. How to read body language in the workplace?
The body language can reveal a lot about a person’s emotions and personality. If you are the communicator then you can read the body language by decoding the meaning of the postures. For instance, an act of leaning in reflects an interest in the topic, steepling fingers show deep thinking, and frequently touching faces can be a sign of anxiety or nervousness.
Q9. What are the types of communication skills needed for engineers?
Engineers need various types of communication skills to ensure their workflow is streamlined. Their roles will include the following types of skills as listed below:
Technical writing for reports and documentation
Verbal communication for team collaboration
Strong presentation skills for presenting data effectively
Trisha is a visionary wordsmith, creative-eyed storyteller, and communication professional with over 2.5 years of experience in content creation for numerous platforms catering to a diverse target aud...
