If you’re wondering what communication skills really are and how to improve them, here’s your direct answer: communication skills are the ability to share and receive messages—verbally, non-verbally, or in writing—in a way that is clear, respectful, and effective. They shape your success in almost every area of life, from building relationships to advancing your career. Whether you’re talking face to face, texting, or posting on social media, communicating effectively helps people understand your intent and feel connected to you.
Let’s break this down further—backed by psychology, social research, and years of communication training—and offer you 12 actionable ways to improve your communication style.
What Are Communication Skills? (Definition + Context)
Communication skills refer to your ability to convey, receive, and process information effectively. This includes verbal communication, non-verbal cues like body language and facial expressions, written communication, and even your tone of voice and eye contact.
According to the University of Maine and Harvard Business Review, strong communication skills are part of what’s known as “soft skills”—non-technical, interpersonal skills that influence how well we work with others. They help in paying attention, understanding different points of view, and responding thoughtfully in any setting.
Types of Communication
Understanding these types can help you assess your current communication style and identify areas to improve.
Why Are Communication Skills Important?
Studies from Stanford University and the Carnegie Foundation reveal that 85% of job success comes from having well-developed soft skills, like communication and interpersonal skills.
Whether you’re managing conflict, leading a team, or navigating relationships, communication makes or breaks the outcome. Strong communicators can build trust, prevent misunderstandings, and drive collaboration.
Here’s why communication matters:
- Career Growth: Professionals with strong communication are 3x more likely to be promoted.
- Healthy Relationships: Couples who practice active listening have a 47% higher satisfaction rate (University of Washington).
- Better Teams: Teams with open communication outperform their peers by up to 25% (McKinsey).
12 Proven Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills
Let’s walk through practical, psychology-backed strategies that help you become a strong communicator:
1. Practice Active Listening
Good communication starts with listening. Instead of planning your reply while the other person is talking, focus fully on what they’re saying. Reflect back key points to show understanding. This builds empathy and strengthens connections.
Psych tip: Mirror neurons in our brains help us emotionally sync with others—listening attentively activates them.
2. Pay Attention to Body Language
Non-verbal signals like posture, gestures, and facial expressions speak volumes. If your words and body language don’t match, trust may break.
Try this: Maintain eye contact, uncross your arms, and face the speaker directly during conversations.
3. Expand Your Emotional Vocabulary
Being able to name and describe emotions improves empathy and emotional intelligence—both crucial for communicating effectively.
Read: Daniel Goleman’s work on Emotional Intelligence to dive deeper into this skill.
4. Tailor Your Tone of Voice
Your tone of voice affects how your message is received. Calm, steady tones promote trust; aggressive or dismissive tones shut people down.
In a UCLA study, tone and body language accounted for 93% of how a message was perceived—words alone made up only 7%.
5. Clarify, Don’t Complicate
Use simple language and communicate clearly. Whether in emails, meetings, or daily chats, avoid jargon unless necessary.
Tip: Think about how you’d explain your message to a 12-year-old. That’s your clarity benchmark.
6. Know Your Communication Style
Are you assertive, passive, aggressive, or passive-aggressive? Reflect on how you usually express needs and respond to conflict. Assertiveness is ideal—it’s honest yet respectful.
Fact: According to the Mayo Clinic, assertive communication reduces stress and boosts self-esteem.
7. Observe Strong Communicators
Learn by watching! Study how effective speakers deliver TED Talks, give interviews, or handle group discussions.
Focus on: Their tone of voice, posture, and how they adjust based on their audience.
8. Master Written Communication
From work emails to social media posts, how you write matters. Be clear, concise, and kind. Use grammar tools like Grammarly, and always proofread.
Read regularly—articles, essays, or even fiction. This expands your vocabulary and improves structure.
9. Use Technology Wisely
Communicating on social media or messaging apps requires brevity and tone awareness. Emojis or punctuation can soften tone—but misuse can confuse the message.
Rule: If it’s sensitive, go face to face or call. Digital messages often miss emotional nuance.
10. Be Open to Feedback
Ask peers or mentors how your communication comes across. Use their insights to improve. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about growing.
Growth mindset: Studies from Stanford show that people who believe they can improve tend to do so faster.
11. Understand Different Points of View
To communicate effectively, you must see beyond your own perspective. Listen to understand, not to reply.
Tip: Before disagreeing, restate the other person’s view in your own words. This shows respect and fosters better dialogue.
12. Practice in Safe Environments
Join clubs, workshops, or discussion groups to practice your communication skills. These spaces are designed for learning without judgment.
Local colleges or online platforms like Coursera or edX offer communication courses from top universities.
Key Elements of Strong Communication Skills
Let’s break down what communicating effectively really includes.
1. Active Listening
Not just hearing, but truly listening. It’s about paying attention, showing interest, and responding thoughtfully. This shows respect and builds trust. According to the Journal of Business Communication, teams that practiced active listening resolved conflict 32% faster.
2. Non-Verbal Communication
Body language, facial expressions, and gestures speak volumes. A slight nod can show agreement; crossed arms might signal defensiveness. Research says 55% of communication is non-verbal (Mehrabian, 1971). So if you’re saying “I’m fine” with a frown—people won’t buy it.
3. Clarity and Simplicity
Avoid jargon. Use language that’s clear, concise, and to the point. This is especially important in written communication. The average attention span today is 8 seconds—be brief, be bold, and make your point.
4. Emotional Intelligence & Empathy
Understanding how someone feels and adjusting your response is key. Emotional intelligence allows you to respond—not react. In fact, 90% of top performers score high on emotional intelligence (TalentSmart).
5. Adjusting to Different Communication Styles
Are you more direct or more relational? Understanding your own style—and recognizing others’—makes you more adaptable. Whether you’re dealing with analytical thinkers or expressive creatives, flexibility improves connection.
Common Barriers to Communication
Even strong communicators face roadblocks. Here’s what might be getting in your way:
Final Thoughts: Start Small, Grow Strong
Improving communication isn’t about overhauling your personality—it’s about practicing small, consistent habits that help you express and connect better. Whether it’s maintaining better eye contact, learning to pause before reacting, or simply listening more than you speak, every bit helps.
Think of communication as a skill—not a talent. That means you can develop it, refine it, and own it.
If you’re serious about being a strong communicator, start with awareness and build from there. The better you get at communicating, the more confident and connected you’ll feel—whether on stage, in a team meeting, or during a heartfelt talk with a friend.