Communication Skills Improvement Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Host: Alos, career coach and entrepreneur
• Experience: 7 years in career coaching
• Session Topic: Communication skills and how to improve them
• Participants: Approximately 255, hoping for more engagement

Importance of Soft Skills

• Communication skills are essential and transferable across various domains.
• Practice is Key: Understanding theory is not enough; actual practice is vital for skill development.
• Patience and Perseverance: Building communication skills takes time and consistent effort.

Poll Introduction

• Conducted a poll with four questions to gauge participants' confidence in communication skills:
  1. Problems faced in communication (e.g., underconfidence in group talking, writing skills, etc.)
  2. Self-rating communication skills (scale from 0 to 10)
  3. Frequency of reading for pleasure
  4. Frequency of writing beyond academic assignments

Understanding Communication

• Definition: Communication means to share feelings and thoughts.
• Forms of Communication:
  • Verbal
  • Written
  • Non-verbal (body language)
• Stages of Communication Skills:
  1. Unconscious Incompetence: Unaware of communication's importance and skills deficiency.
  2. Conscious Incompetence: Aware of the need for improvement and knowledge gaps.
  3. Conscious Competence: Skills are reliable but require conscious effort.
  4. Unconscious Competence: Skills are second nature; can communicate fluently without conscious thought.

Moving Through the Stages

• Goal: Progress from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence.
• Key Steps to Improve:
  1. Immersion: Surround yourself with communication materials and engage with proficient speakers.
  2. Visual Mental Rehearsal: Imagine successful communication scenarios to build confidence.
  3. Playing the Game: Seize every opportunity to practice speaking, including recording yourself.
  4. Reviewing: Assess performance without harsh self-critique; focus on learning from mistakes.

Final Thoughts

• Continuous Practice: Improvement comes with regular practice over time.
• Investment in Skills: Effective communication significantly impacts professional opportunities and career growth.
• Encouragement: Participants encouraged to implement these techniques and share progress.

Q&A Session Highlights

• Accent & Communication: Embrace your natural accent; adapt as necessary but maintain authenticity.
• Handling Disagreements: Stay calm, focus on logical resolutions, and address conflicts diplomatically.
• Common Barriers: Address distractions and confidence issues; regular practice can overcome these barriers.

Conclusion

• Emphasis on the importance of practice in becoming a better communicator.
• Encouraged participants to reflect on their communication skills and actively work on improvement.
• Session concluded with a reminder to keep practicing the techniques discussed.