Communication is the way we pass information from one person to another. Information could be personal, professional, physical, or sexual. There are 2 major types of communication; written and vocal. Other means include hand signs and signals, body language, and mannerisms. Communication goes from the sender through a medium of communication, then the information gets to the intended receiver. Until the receiver understands the message, communication has not taken place. Let us know ‘Communication Strengths And Weaknesses ‘.
Communication Strengths And Weaknesses
Communication strengths range from verbal command, loud baritone, multi-communication, and written communication. Any of these strengths can also qualify as an individual’s weakness. One of the most difficult is the ability to effectively talk to multiple ones. This is a skill that is well-paid for in some industries. This is because it is a requirement for huge bucks. However, you should not see your communication weaknesses as bad. It can be a way to help improve the person. An example of a popular communication weakness is stage fright.
Strengths in Communication
Different people have communication strengths. As individuals, we must have our strengths. We can harness these different strengths in our favor. Some people have very strong verbal commands. This means that anytime they speak they are in control. Anytime time they are talking, people listen to them patiently.
Some have the natural talent that people always want to hear from them. Even when they are not talking, people request to hear from them. This is a strong resource for any individual, and if properly harnessed it takes people’s places. While for some individuals, their core strength is written form. When they write they find it easier to express themselves. People also tend to understand them better. Here are some communication strengths
Constructive Feedback and Criticism: The ability to be able to give people constructive feedback and also take one is a great strength. Especially when this can be done seamlessly without either party taking offense in any way.
Clarity: During communication, it is very important to be very clear. This makes it easy for people to understand you. In addition to clarity. You should also be concise; this helps the receiver filter the information. There is no need to share unrequired details. Doing this just makes the communication process more difficult for the reader.
Body Language and Tone of Speech: These recently gained prominence. However, they are similar in nature. This is why they have been grouped. Having the right tone helps a lot, especially when you know when and how to change the tone when required. Your body language is also a great communication skill. Your body language can tell if you are lying or not plus other things.
Understand your audience: At the time, this might not seem like an important communication strength. However, if a communicator has a proper understanding of his audience. It is going to make it easier for him to communicate. He would also be able to tell how best to relate with them so they understand clearly.
Informative and Honest: Another great communication strength is to always share valid information when you communicate. This would make the listener always eager to hear from you. In addition to this, you have to be honest when you are talking, this would also make the listener trust you better. When the listener trusts you, it makes it easier for them to understand you.
Means of communication: Knowing and using the proper mean of communication is another underrated communication strength. Some messages are better delivered in person than over the phone and in text. However, not everyone would have the emotional intelligence to know that. The sender has to communicate in a way suitable and comfortable for the receiver, not a method suitable for the sender.
Confidence: The type of confidence your body language and speech tone exhume is also another great communication strength. When you have the appropriate confidence. The intended receiver would believe what you are trying to pass on. This is because you speak confidently, and you are certain of the information you are passing across.
Listening: This is a really important communication strength. You do not have to only know how to pass information across. You should also learn how to listen; this would help you take down any feedback. A good listener is a better communicator. This would make it easier to hold and maintain a conversation. A good listener would also be able to empathize with others and communicate appropriately.
Weaknesses in Communication
Communication weaknesses are not a bad thing. Contrary to popular opinion, it is a good thing that we all have one communication weakness or the other. It just shows that we are all humans, and regardless of how great we are, we can also have our natural flaws. One very popular weakness is stage fright. Most people often freeze when there is a need to address the crowd. However, if properly addressed this can be made an individual strength.
Apart from this, other weaknesses would also cause communication barriers with people. It could be due to differences in language and culture, or differences in behavioral patterns. All these weaknesses can be properly addressed and turned into strengths. Below is a cross-section of some popular communication weaknesses
Culture Barrier: This is a huge communication weakness. When there are differences in culture, it makes it more difficult to communicate. This is because your information would never get to the audience. They might understand what you are saying. However, they are not interested. There are also some instances where the intended recipient does not understand what the sender is saying.
Nervousness: If the sender is nervous while communicating, this would make the listener disinterested in the conversation. Whenever a party is not interested in a conversation. It then becomes one-sided. Nervousness would always hinder communication regardless of the intended recipient.
Bad Delivery: When the sender does not deliver the information appropriately, there is no way the receiver can decipher the information. This would make the receiver clueless, and no communication has taken place. There are different reasons why the sender might have a bad delivery. However, only he is accountable for his actions.
Filler Overuse: Some people unnecessarily use fillers, if this does not hinder communication. It can be unnecessarily annoying. For a recipient that is trying to take all the words in, fillers can be a bit frustrating. Especially when they are overused. Examples of fillers include ‘ehm’, ‘err’, and ‘Uhm’. These are just some samples, there are many more.
Language: If there is a language barrier, there is no way communication would take place. The language barrier is a major hindrance to communication If the intended recipient does not speak the same language as the sender, this is a big problem. Except there is a translator around.
How to Improve Communication Weaknesses?
After identifying your weaknesses in communication, the next process is to know how to turn these weaknesses into personal strengths. Different proven methods would help improve any weaknesses you might have. Although the effectiveness of these methods often depends on individual characteristics. Here are some of the things you can try to improve your weaknesses
Cultural Differences: The first step to defeating cultural differences as a communication barrier is to acknowledge the fact that they exist. After this accommodation, it is important to also know that we can all coexist and live together as one. This can be done by accepting and embracing these differences.
Nervousness: If you are always nervous or anxious before any conversation or discussion. You should prepare appropriately before engaging in such conversations. To prevent people from noticing that you are shy, you can maintain constant eye contact with the people you are speaking with. This is a great way to beat nervousness.
Body Language: This is a very important part of communication. You should know how to interpret people’s body language. Apart from this, you should also know how your body language can affect whomever you are speaking with. If you do not understand what body language means, you can always ask for help. This can be done by asking people around you or asking the speaker.
Punctuation and Spelling: You can be intentional about your spelling and punctuation. When you are intentional about them, you would gradually make progress. To make this easier, you can have a dictionary on your mobile device. This makes it easier to learn and less embarrassing. You should also be intentional about your punctuation marks. If you are not sure where what belongs, you can always ask.
Listening: Communication is a two-way street. To be a good communicator, you must be a great listener. It is important you listen to what people have to say first before speaking. A great listener would be a natural at communicating. Before saying anything, you should have listened to everything they have to say.
Tone and Choice of words: These are 2 important things to also improve. The tone of speaking and choice of words goes a long way. If they are not properly managed. No proper communication would ever take place. Tone and word choice are two key parts of communication. If you ever miss any of these, the conversation is most likely one-sided.
Language barrier: There are multiple languages in the world. Although one of the most accepted languages in the world is English. However, not everyone can speak English. The first step to proper communication is to understand that there is a possibility that someone does not understand the words coming out of your mouth. There are other ways the information can be communicated to such a person.
Tips on Effective Communication
If you want to communicate effectively, there are different things you can put in place to help drive your communique prowess. If you follow these tips, you would notice a tremendous improvement in your communication skills. You would also be able to control your audience whenever you are giving a speech. Here are some of the things you can do to be an effective communicator.
Think: Most people do not think before they utter statements. They think after they have made the statement. If you can embrace this attribute. You would be able to control most of the things that come out of your mouth. This would give you less to be sorry for.
Improve Vocabulary: A good communicator should have a wide vocabulary. You must constantly have the itch to improve your vocabulary. This can be done by reading books, magazines, news, and anything you can lay your hands on. Reading random things would help enlarge your vocabulary.
Understand your audience: Your audience can be a single person, and it could be millions. To communicate effectively, you should know and understand what they want. This is how you can hit the nail on the head. It helps drive your information home.
Adequate preparation: Contrary to popular opinion that it is better to attack some situations head-on. However, adequate preparation would keep you steps ahead of the other parties. This is how you can open your mind to any forthcoming questions and nip them in the bud.
Conclusion
Communication is important in our day-to-day activities. It makes understanding people better. There are different methods of communication. It is not limited to verbal communication. Communication generally spans the tone of speech, listening, comprehension, body countenance, and many more. Though we communicate daily, people still have issues communicating with others effectively. We all have different communication strengths and weaknesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible not to have communication weaknesses?
Regardless of how perfect you think your communication skills are. It can always be better, and there are always flaws. This article has highlighted some of the possible communication weaknesses there. One of the most common in people is stage fright. Only a few people can confidently stand in front of a crowd and speak.
How is listening effective in communication?
Listening helps improve communication. If you are a good listener, people would be eager to speak to you. When you painstakingly listen to people, it would help you know and understand what to say to them. A good communicator must be a great listener.
Does Body language count?
Body language is an important part of communication. There is a thin line between trust and distrust in communication. Body Language helps draw the line between trust and distrust. In some conversations, body language helps to decide which side the person is on.
