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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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The Importance of Presentation Skills: That You Must Know About

Uncover The Importance of Presentation Skills in this comprehensive blog. Begin with a brief introduction to the art of effective presentations and its wide-reaching significance. Delve into the vital role of presentation skills in both your personal and professional life, understanding how they can shape your success.

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Table of Contents  

1) A brief introduction to Presentation Skills 

2) Importance of Presentation Skills in personal life 

3) Importance of Presentation Skills in professional life 

4) Tips to improve your Presentation Skills 

5) Conclusion 

A brief introduction to Presentation Skills  

Presentation skills can be defined as the ability to deliver information confidently and persuasively to engage and influence the audience. Be it in personal or professional settings; mastering Presentation Skills empowers individuals to convey their ideas with clarity, build confidence, and leave a lasting impression. From public speaking to business pitches, honing these skills can lead to greater success in diverse spheres of life.  You can also refer to various presentation skills interview questions and answer to build you confidence! This blog will also look into the advantages and disadvantages of presentations .It is therefore important to understand the elements of presentations .

Importance of Presentation Skills in personal life  

Effective Presentation skills are not limited to professional settings alone; they play a significant role in personal life as well. Let us now dive deeper into the Importance of Presentation Skills in one’s personal life:    

Expressing ideas clearly   

In day-to-day conversations with family, friends, or acquaintances, having good Presentation skills enables you to articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly. Whether you're discussing plans for the weekend or sharing your opinions on a particular topic, being an effective communicator encourages better understanding and engagement. 

Enhancing social confidence  

Many individuals struggle with social anxiety or nervousness in social gatherings. Mastering Presentation skills helps boost self-confidence, making it easier to navigate social situations with ease. The ability to present yourself confidently and engage others in conversation enhances your social life and opens doors to new relationships. 

Creating memories on special occasions  

There are moments in life that call for public speaking, such as proposing a toast at a wedding, delivering a speech at a family gathering, or giving a Presentation during special events. Having polished Presentation skills enables you to leave a positive and lasting impression on the audience, making these occasions even more memorable. 

Handling challenging conversations  

Life often presents challenging situations that require delicate communication, such as expressing condolences or resolving conflicts. Strong Presentation skills help you convey your feelings and thoughts sensitively, encouraging effective and empathetic communication during difficult times. 

Building stronger relationships  

Being a skilled presenter means being a good listener as well. Active listening is a fundamental aspect of effective Presentations, and when applied in personal relationships, it strengthens bonds and builds trust. Empathising with others and showing genuine interest in their stories and opinions enhances the quality of your relationships. 

Advocating for personal goals  

Whether you're pursuing personal projects or seeking support for a cause you're passionate about, the ability to present your ideas persuasively helps garner support and enthusiasm from others. This can be beneficial in achieving personal goals and making a positive impact on your community. 

Inspiring and motivating others  

In one’s personal life, Presentation skills are not just about delivering formal speeches; they also involve inspiring and motivating others through your actions and words. Whether you're sharing your experiences, mentoring someone, or encouraging loved ones during tough times, your Presentation skills can be a source of inspiration for others. 

Exuding leadership traits  

Effective Presentation skills go hand in hand with leadership qualities. Being able to communicate clearly and influence others' perspectives positions you as a leader within your family, social circles, or community. Leadership in personal life involves guiding and supporting others towards positive outcomes. 

Unlock your full potential as a presenter with our Presentation Skills Training Course. Join now!  

Importance of Presentation Skills in professional life  

Effective Presentation skills are a vital asset for career growth and success in professional life. Let us now explore the importance of Presentation skills for students and workers:  

Impressing employers and clients  

During job interviews or business meetings, a well-delivered Presentation showcases your knowledge, confidence, and ability to communicate ideas effectively. It impresses employers, clients, and potential investors, leaving a positive and memorable impression that can tilt the scales in your favour. 

Advancing in your career  

In the corporate world, promotions and career advancements often involve presenting your achievements, ideas, and future plans to decision-makers. Strong Presentation skills demonstrate your leadership potential and readiness for higher responsibilities, opening doors to new opportunities. 

Effective team collaboration  

As a professional, you often need to present projects, strategies, or updates to your team or colleagues. A compelling Presentation facilitates better understanding and association among team members, leading to more productive and successful projects. 

Persuasive selling techniques  

For sales and marketing professionals, Presentation skills are instrumental in persuading potential customers to choose your products or services. An engaging sales pitch can sway buying decisions, leading to increased revenue and business growth. 

Creating impactful proposals  

In the corporate world, proposals are crucial for securing new partnerships or business deals. A well-structured and compelling Presentation can make your proposal stand out and increase the chances of successful negotiations. 

Gaining and retaining clients  

Whether you are a freelancer, consultant, or business owner, Presentation skills play a key role in winning and retaining clients. A captivating Presentation not only convinces clients of your capabilities but also builds trust and promotes long-term relationships. 

Enhancing public speaking engagements  

Professional life often involves speaking at conferences, seminars, or industry events. Being a confident and engaging speaker allows you to deliver your message effectively, position yourself as an expert, and expand your professional network. 

Influencing stakeholders and decision-makers  

As you climb the corporate ladder, you may find yourself presenting to senior management or board members. Effective Presentations are essential for gaining support for your ideas, projects, or initiatives from key stakeholders. 

Handling meetings and discussions  

In meetings, being able to present your thoughts clearly and concisely contributes to productive discussions and efficient decision-making. It ensures that your ideas are understood and considered by colleagues and superiors. 

Professional development  

Investing time in honing Presentation skills is a form of professional development. As you become a more effective presenter, you become a more valuable asset to your organisation and industry. 

Building a personal brand  

A strong personal brand is vital for professional success. Impressive Presentations contribute to building a positive reputation and positioning yourself as a thought leader or industry expert. 

Career transitions and interviews  

When seeking new opportunities or transitioning to a different industry, Presentation Skills are essential for communicating your transferable skills and showcasing your adaptability to potential employers. 

Take your Presentations to the next level with our Effective Presentation Skills & Techniques Course. Sign up today!  

Tips to improve your Presentation Skills  

Now that you know about the importance of presentation skills in personal and professional life, we will now provide you with tips to Improve Your Presentation Skills .

1) Know your audience: Understand the demographics and interests of your audience to tailor your Presentation accordingly. 

2) Practice regularly: Rehearse your speech multiple times to refine content and delivery. 

3) Seek feedback: Gather feedback from peers or mentors to identify areas for improvement. 

4) Manage nervousness: Use relaxation techniques to overcome nervousness before presenting. 

5) Engage with eye contact: Maintain eye contact with the audience to establish a connection. 

6) Use clear visuals: Utilise impactful visuals to complement your spoken words. 

7) Emphasise key points: Highlight important information to enhance audience retention. 

8) Employ body language: Use confident and purposeful gestures to convey your message. 

9) Handle Q&A confidently: Prepare for potential questions and answer them with clarity. 

10) Add personal stories: Include relevant anecdotes to make your Presentation more relatable.   

All in all, Presentation skills are a valuable asset, impacting both personal and professional realms of life. By mastering these skills, you can become a more effective communicator, a confident professional, and a persuasive influencer. Continuous improvement and adaptation to technological advancements will ensure you stay ahead in this competitive world. 

Want to master the art of impactful Presentations? Explore our Presentation Skills Courses and elevate your communication prowess!  

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Ideas and insights from Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning

Powerful and Effective Presentation Skills: More in Demand Now Than Ever

When we talk with our L&D colleagues from around the globe, we often hear that presentation skills training is one of the top opportunities they’re looking to provide their learners. And this holds true whether their learners are individual contributors, people managers, or senior leaders. This is not surprising.

Effective communications skills are a powerful career activator, and most of us are called upon to communicate in some type of formal presentation mode at some point along the way.

For instance, you might be asked to brief management on market research results, walk your team through a new process, lay out the new budget, or explain a new product to a client or prospect. Or you may want to build support for a new idea, bring a new employee into the fold, or even just present your achievements to your manager during your performance review.

And now, with so many employees working from home or in hybrid mode, and business travel in decline, there’s a growing need to find new ways to make effective presentations when the audience may be fully virtual or a combination of in person and remote attendees.

Whether you’re making a standup presentation to a large live audience, or a sit-down one-on-one, whether you’re delivering your presentation face to face or virtually, solid presentation skills matter.

Even the most seasoned and accomplished presenters may need to fine-tune or update their skills. Expectations have changed over the last decade or so. Yesterday’s PowerPoint which primarily relied on bulleted points, broken up by the occasional clip-art image, won’t cut it with today’s audience.

The digital revolution has revolutionized the way people want to receive information. People expect presentations that are more visually interesting. They expect to see data, metrics that support assertions. And now, with so many previously in-person meetings occurring virtually, there’s an entirely new level of technical preparedness required.

The leadership development tools and the individual learning opportunities you’re providing should include presentation skills training that covers both the evergreen fundamentals and the up-to-date capabilities that can make or break a presentation.

So, just what should be included in solid presentation skills training? Here’s what I think.

The fundamentals will always apply When it comes to making a powerful and effective presentation, the fundamentals will always apply. You need to understand your objective. Is it strictly to convey information, so that your audience’s knowledge is increased? Is it to persuade your audience to take some action? Is it to convince people to support your idea? Once you understand what your objective is, you need to define your central message. There may be a lot of things you want to share with your audience during your presentation, but find – and stick with – the core, the most important point you want them to walk away with. And make sure that your message is clear and compelling.

You also need to tailor your presentation to your audience. Who are they and what might they be expecting? Say you’re giving a product pitch to a client. A technical team may be interested in a lot of nitty-gritty product detail. The business side will no doubt be more interested in what returns they can expect on their investment.

Another consideration is the setting: is this a formal presentation to a large audience with questions reserved for the end, or a presentation in a smaller setting where there’s the possibility for conversation throughout? Is your presentation virtual or in-person? To be delivered individually or as a group? What time of the day will you be speaking? Will there be others speaking before you and might that impact how your message will be received?

Once these fundamentals are established, you’re in building mode. What are the specific points you want to share that will help you best meet your objective and get across your core message? Now figure out how to convey those points in the clearest, most straightforward, and succinct way. This doesn’t mean that your presentation has to be a series of clipped bullet points. No one wants to sit through a presentation in which the presenter reads through what’s on the slide. You can get your points across using stories, fact, diagrams, videos, props, and other types of media.

Visual design matters While you don’t want to clutter up your presentation with too many visual elements that don’t serve your objective and can be distracting, using a variety of visual formats to convey your core message will make your presentation more memorable than slides filled with text. A couple of tips: avoid images that are cliched and overdone. Be careful not to mix up too many different types of images. If you’re using photos, stick with photos. If you’re using drawn images, keep the style consistent. When data are presented, stay consistent with colors and fonts from one type of chart to the next. Keep things clear and simple, using data to support key points without overwhelming your audience with too much information. And don’t assume that your audience is composed of statisticians (unless, of course, it is).

When presenting qualitative data, brief videos provide a way to engage your audience and create emotional connection and impact. Word clouds are another way to get qualitative data across.

Practice makes perfect You’ve pulled together a perfect presentation. But it likely won’t be perfect unless it’s well delivered. So don’t forget to practice your presentation ahead of time. Pro tip: record yourself as you practice out loud. This will force you to think through what you’re going to say for each element of your presentation. And watching your recording will help you identify your mistakes—such as fidgeting, using too many fillers (such as “umm,” or “like”), or speaking too fast.

A key element of your preparation should involve anticipating any technical difficulties. If you’ve embedded videos, make sure they work. If you’re presenting virtually, make sure that the lighting is good, and that your speaker and camera are working. Whether presenting in person or virtually, get there early enough to work out any technical glitches before your presentation is scheduled to begin. Few things are a bigger audience turn-off than sitting there watching the presenter struggle with the delivery mechanisms!

Finally, be kind to yourself. Despite thorough preparation and practice, sometimes, things go wrong, and you need to recover in the moment, adapt, and carry on. It’s unlikely that you’ll have caused any lasting damage and the important thing is to learn from your experience, so your next presentation is stronger.

How are you providing presentation skills training for your learners?

Manika Gandhi is Senior Learning Design Manager at Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning. Email her at [email protected] .

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12 Reasons Why Presentation Skills Are Important for Students 

Hrideep barot.

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Learning presentation skills as a student is like striking gold in the treasure hunt of life! It’s like having a superpower at your fingertips because, let’s be honest, your learning capacity right now is off the charts! But wait, there’s more! Presentation skills aren’t just about talking in front of the class (although that’s super cool too). They’re like the secret ingredient that helps you master the art of communication.

Think about it – you’re not just learning how to present your science project; you’re learning how to navigate the whole wide world. 

So, why’s this the primo time to become a presentation ninja?

• Super Learning Mode: Your brain is in turbo mode right now, absorbing info like a champ. What you learn about presentations during this time becomes your lifelong sidekick.
• Ace Communicator: Being a student means you’re in a constant chat with teachers, friends, and books. Presentation skills give you the superpower to communicate like a pro.
• World Domination: Okay, maybe not the world, but you’re certainly setting yourself up to shine in any situation life throws at you.

Remember, these skills aren’t just for school. They’re for life! So, grab that mic (or marker or mouse) and get ready to rock those presentations. You’re gearing up to be the superhero of communication! 🎤

WHAT ARE PRESENTATION SKILLS:

Have you ever thought about what makes some presentations stick in your memory while others vanish into oblivion? Well, here’s the scoop: presentation skills are the secret sauce, and they’re not just a bag of clever tricks. Nope, they’re the mighty keys to cracking the code of effective communication, letting you hook, enlighten, and amuse your audience.

At their very core, these skills are all about forging a connection with your crowd, whether it’s your school buddies, coworkers, or even a gang of pals at a shindig. They’re like the crafters of a message that’s crystal clear, totally convincing, and as smooth as a jam session with your favorite jazz band.

But wait, there’s more! Presentation skills are your golden ticket to success in all sorts of life’s adventures, from nailing that class project to wowing your boss in a big meeting. They’re the secret tools that turn everyday tasks into unforgettable experiences, etching your message deep into the minds of your audience.

So, as you embark on the journey to master these presentation skills, remember it’s not just about what you say; it’s how you say it. Whether you’re facing a jam-packed auditorium or a cozy gathering of pals, may the enchantment of presentation skills guide you, transforming every moment into a mesmerizing performance.

The 12 Reasons Why Presentation Skills are Important:

Presentation skills are not just crucial for students but also for individuals of all ages and professions. Here’s why they matter and how they impact everyone:

1. Effective Communication :

• Effective communication is the backbone of all human interactions. Presentation skills equip individuals with the ability to convey information clearly, concisely, and persuasively. Whether it’s explaining a project at work or delivering a compelling speech, the capacity to communicate effectively is indispensable.
• Example : In a business meeting, a project manager adept in presentation skills can elucidate a complex project plan. They articulate the project’s goals, milestones, and potential challenges, ensuring that everyone understands the roadmap to success.

2. Career Advancement :

• The workplace is highly competitive, and presentation skills can be the differentiating factor that propels individuals forward in their careers. Being able to present ideas, strategies, and accomplishments with confidence and clarity garners recognition and opens up opportunities for advancement.
• Example : A marketing professional who excels in presenting marketing campaigns not only impresses the team but also demonstrates leadership qualities. This can lead to promotions and increased responsibilities.

3. Building Credibility :

• Credibility is vital in professional and personal relationships. When you can present your ideas convincingly, you gain the trust of your peers, colleagues, and superiors. Your credibility extends to the content you’re presenting, making it more likely to be accepted and acted upon.
• Example : An environmental scientist delivering a presentation on climate change with well-researched data and compelling visuals gains credibility among policymakers and the public, potentially influencing policy decisions.

4. Persuasion and Influence :

• Presentation skills encompass the art of persuasion. Individuals who can engage their audience, create a compelling narrative, and support their arguments effectively are more likely to influence others. This skill is invaluable in negotiations, sales, and leadership roles.
• Example : A charismatic motivational speaker can use their presentation skills to inspire audiences, motivating them to take action or adopt new perspectives.

5. Problem Solving :

• Strong presenters are often adept problem solvers. They can analyze complex issues, break them down into understandable components, and present solutions clearly and persuasively. This ability is crucial for addressing challenges in personal and professional life.
• Example : During a corporate crisis, a CEO who can present a well-structured crisis management plan to stakeholders demonstrates effective problem-solving skills and reassures concerned parties.

6. Personal Branding :

• Effective presentation skills contribute to personal branding. Consistently delivering engaging and informative presentations enhances one’s reputation as a knowledgeable, confident, and trustworthy professional.
• Example : A tech entrepreneur known for captivating product launch presentations builds a strong personal brand, attracting media attention, investors, and customers.

7. Adaptability :

• Presentation skills encompass the ability to adapt to various formats, audiences, and settings. This adaptability is invaluable in today’s diverse and ever-changing work environments, where individuals must navigate different communication channels and styles.
• Example : A teacher who can seamlessly transition from in-person classroom presentations to delivering engaging online lessons demonstrates adaptability in response to changing circumstances.

8. Lifelong Learning :

• Embracing presentation skills encourages individuals to engage in lifelong learning and self-improvement. As presentation techniques evolve and audiences change, individuals who continually refine their communication abilities remain relevant and effective.
• Example : A retired professional who continues to develop presentation skills for community workshops and public speaking engagements not only shares their expertise but also stays engaged in lifelong learning, adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

Presentation skills are universally essential as they enhance communication, facilitate career advancement, build credibility, enable persuasive influence, promote problem-solving, strengthen personal branding, foster adaptability, and encourage lifelong learning. These skills empower individuals to succeed in various personal and professional endeavors, making them essential for everyone.

Let’s look at a comprehensive overview of these trending presentation skills:

Allow me to introduce you to the 12 skills that encapsulate the very essence of the world’s most exceptional presenters.

1. Effective Communication:

Presentation skills are the ability to communicate ideas, information, or messages to an audience clearly and persuasively. It’s about conveying your thoughts with impact and resonance.

2. Audience Engagement:

These skills encompass techniques to engage and capture the attention of your audience. It’s not just about talking; it’s about connecting with your listeners on an intellectual and emotional level.

3. Organization and Structure: 

Presentation skills involve structuring your content logically and coherently. It’s about creating a roadmap that guides your audience through your message, ensuring they follow and understand your points.

4. Visual Aids Usage:

Effective use of visual aids, such as slides, graphics, and multimedia elements, is a crucial component. It’s about enhancing your message with visuals that reinforce your content without overwhelming your audience.

5. Confidence and Presence: 

Presentation skills entail projecting confidence and a strong presence while speaking. This includes body language, tone of voice, and maintaining eye contact.

6. Adaptability: 

These skills are versatile. You must adapt your presentation style to suit different contexts, audiences, and purposes. Whether you’re giving an academic lecture, a business pitch, or a motivational talk, adaptability is key.

7. Preparation and Research: 

A significant part of presentation skills is the preparation phase. It involves conducting thorough research on your topic, understanding your audience, and meticulously planning your content.

8. Problem Solving: 

Effective presenters are skilled at handling unexpected situations, such as tough questions or technical difficulties during a presentation. Presentation skills also encompass the ability to think on your feet and respond confidently.

9. Storytelling: 

Storytelling is a potent tool for presentation skills. It involves weaving narratives that resonate with your audience, making your message memorable and relatable.

10. Time Management: 

Presentations often have time constraints. These skills include managing your time wisely, and ensuring you cover all key points within the allocated time frame.

11. Feedback Utilisation: 

Presentation skills are a continuous learning process. It involves actively seeking and utilizing feedback to improve your future presentations. Constructive criticism is invaluable for growth.

12. Audience-Centred Approach: 

A critical aspect of presentation skills is adopting an audience-centred approach. It’s about tailoring your content and delivery to meet the needs and interests of your specific audience.

What is the purpose of a presentation?

A) information sharing:.

At its core, the purpose of a presentation is to share information. Whether you’re in a classroom, boardroom, or on a stage, you’re conveying knowledge, insights, or ideas to an audience. This information can range from academic research findings, business proposals, and project updates, to even personal stories or creative concepts.

B) Education and Understanding:

Presentations are powerful tools for education and comprehension. They provide a structured format to break down complex topics into manageable, digestible pieces. By presenting information in a clear, organized manner, you help your audience grasp concepts more easily.

C) Persuasion and Influence:

In many situations, presentations aim to persuade and influence. Whether you’re convincing potential investors to fund your startup, persuading your classmates to support your project, or advocating for a cause, effective presentations can be a catalyst for change.

D) Engagement and Connection:

A well-crafted presentation can engage your audience emotionally and intellectually. It’s an opportunity to connect on a human level, share personal experiences, and evoke empathy or enthusiasm. Storytelling is a powerful technique to create this connection.

E) Problem Solving:

Presentations often tackle real-world issues and problem-solving. Whether it’s proposing solutions to business challenges, addressing societal problems, or discussing scientific breakthroughs, they serve as a platform to present ideas that can bring about positive change.

F) Decision-Making: 

In professional settings, presentations play a pivotal role in decision-making processes. They provide decision-makers with the necessary information and insights to make informed choices. Presenters aim to influence these decisions in their favor through compelling arguments and evidence.

G) Inspiration and Motivation: 

Some presentations are designed to inspire and motivate. They encourage the audience to take action, pursue their goals, or embrace change. This purpose often applies to keynote speeches, commencement addresses, and motivational talks.

H) Celebration and Recognition: 

Presentations aren’t always about serious business; they can also serve as a platform for celebration and recognition. Think of award ceremonies, where individuals or teams are honored for their achievements.

I) Entertainment and Artistic Expression: 

Presentations can be a form of entertainment and artistic expression. Think of performances, artistic displays, or creative storytelling. Here, the purpose is to captivate, entertain, and stir emotions.

J) Knowledge Transfer: 

Lastly, presentations facilitate the transfer of knowledge from one person to another or from one generation to the next. This is particularly important in educational settings, where teachers present information to students in a structured manner.

In essence, presentations are versatile tools with multifaceted purposes. They are not just about delivering information but about connecting, persuading, educating, and inspiring. Understanding the specific purpose of your presentation is the first step toward creating a compelling communication experience for your audience.

Why is it important to have good presentation skills for students?

Imagine this scenario: You’re sitting in a classroom, and your professor asks you to present your research findings. Your heart races, your palms sweat, and the butterflies in your stomach have a party of their own. Sound familiar? Well, that’s where good presentation skills come into play for students, and they’re more than just a ticket to survive the classroom spotlight. They’re a gateway to personal and professional success.

First and foremost, presentation skills are the ultimate communication tool.

They help students articulate their thoughts, ideas, and findings with clarity and confidence. In an academic setting, this means you can engage your peers and professors effectively, making your voice heard and your ideas stand out.

But it doesn’t stop at the classroom door. These skills are your secret (because not everyone knows this) key in the professional world. Picture yourself in a job interview. Your potential employer asks you to discuss your qualifications and why you’re the right fit for the role. With polished presentation skills, you’re not just answering questions; you’re painting a vivid picture of your capabilities and potential.

Furthermore, good presentation skills are a confidence booster.

They transform nervous jitters into a sense of empowerment. When you can stand before an audience and convey your message convincingly, it’s a feeling like no other. This newfound confidence seeps into other aspects of your academic and professional life, making you a more resilient and adaptable individual.

In essence, good presentation skills are the key to unlocking doors of opportunity. Whether you’re excelling in class discussions, wowing your professors with a well-structured thesis defense, or nailing that crucial client pitch, these skills are your trusty companions on the journey of personal and professional growth.

So, the next time you find yourself in the spotlight, remember that presentation skills aren’t just about public speaking; they’re about showcasing your potential, building confidence, and paving the way for success. Embrace them, and watch your academic and professional horizons expand like never before.

What are the benefits of learning presentation skills for students?

I. effective communication: .

Good presentation skills are the linchpin of effective communication . In both academic and professional settings, students must articulate their thoughts, ideas, and findings clearly and persuasively. Without these skills, even the most brilliant concepts can get lost in translation.

II. Academic Success: 

Strong presentation skills can significantly impact academic success. Students who can express themselves eloquently often excel in class discussions, group projects, and thesis defenses. They stand out as knowledgeable and confident learners.

III. Confidence Booster:

 Public speaking and presentation practice are fantastic confidence boosters. They empower students to express themselves in front of their peers and teachers, gradually reducing anxiety and building self-assuredness.

IV. Leadership Development:

 Presentation skills are often associated with leadership qualities. Students who master these skills tend to emerge as leaders in group projects, clubs, and extracurricular activities. They can effectively convey their vision and rally others behind it.

V. Professional Readiness:

 In the world of work, professionals are frequently required to present their ideas, proposals, and reports. Students who develop strong presentation skills are better prepared for their future careers, making a positive impression on potential employers and clients.

VI. Critical Thinking: 

Preparing a presentation necessitates critical thinking. Students must organize their thoughts, conduct research, and analyze information to craft a compelling narrative. This enhances their analytical and problem-solving skills.

VII. Time Management: 

Creating a presentation involves managing time effectively. Students must set priorities, meet deadlines, and allocate resources wisely. These time management skills are valuable both in academia and the professional world.

VIII. Adaptability:

Presentation skills encompass various formats, from traditional speeches to multimedia presentations and virtual meetings. Students who can adapt to these different modes of communication are better equipped to thrive in today’s technology-driven world.

IX. Networking Opportunities:

Presentations often provide opportunities to network with peers, professors, and professionals. Building connections can open doors to collaborations, mentorships, and job opportunities down the road.

X. Problem Solving:

During presentations, unexpected challenges may arise, such as tough questions from the audience or technical glitches. Students learn to think on their feet, respond confidently, and solve problems as they arise.

XI. Enhancing Creativity:

Crafting engaging presentations encourages creativity and innovation. Students seek unique ways to capture their audience’s attention, whether through storytelling, visuals, or interactive elements.

XII. Global Communication:

In an increasingly interconnected world, students with strong presentation skills can effectively communicate with diverse audiences from different cultures and backgrounds, fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

These skills equip students for success in various aspects of life and contribute to their personal and intellectual growth.

How can students improve their presentation skills?

Improving presentation skills is a gradual process that requires dedication and practice. By following these steps and staying committed to self-improvement, students can become confident and effective presenters.

1. Practice, Practice, Practice:

The foundation of presentation mastery is practice . Start small by presenting in front of a mirror or recording yourself. Pay attention to your voice modulation, gestures, and overall delivery. This self-assessment helps you identify areas for improvement and build self-confidence.

2. Preparation is Key: 

The best presenters are often those who are the most prepared. Know your topic inside-out. Create a well-structured presentation with a compelling opening to grab your audience’s attention and a memorable closing to leave a lasting impression. Visual aids can enhance your message, but use them sparingly to avoid overwhelming your audience.

3. Real-Life Experience: 

Gain real-life presentation experience by participating in clubs, engaging in debates, or volunteering for class presentations. The more you expose yourself to different audiences, the more comfortable and adept you’ll become in handling diverse situations.

4. Learn from the Pros: 

Study presentations by seasoned speakers and experts in various fields. Watch TED talks, analyze speeches, or follow your favorite orators. Observe their techniques, storytelling abilities, and audience engagement strategies. Incorporate these insights into your style to make your presentations more captivating.

5. Feedback Fuels Growth: 

Don’t be afraid to seek feedback. Share your presentations with peers, friends, or teachers and ask for their honest opinions. Constructive criticism is like a roadmap to improvement. It highlights your strengths and pinpoints areas where you can refine your skills.

6. Embrace Growth as a Journey: 

Remember that improving presentation skills is a journey, not a quick fix. It takes dedication and time to refine these skills. Be patient with yourself, and celebrate small victories along the way. With consistent effort, you’ll see significant progress and reap the benefits of enhanced communication and self-assuredness.

So, as you embark on your journey to become a presentation pro, keep these elements in mind. Each step, from practice to feedback, preparation, real-life experience, and learning from experts, contributes to your growth. Over time, you’ll not only become a confident and persuasive presenter but also open up doors to academic and professional opportunities. You’ve got the potential; now, let it shine!

Conclusion:

So, here’s the scoop—presentation skills aren’t just about fancy speeches. They’re your superpower for rocking academics, acing your career, and unleashing personal growth. Mastering these and mastering your life would be the best way to put it. We wish you all the best for your presentation and hope this article helps you.

If you wish to know more about how you can communicate effectively, you can try our coaching here .

Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program

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• A - Z List of Presentation Skills
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The formal presentation of information is divided into two broad categories: Presentation Skills and Personal Presentation .

These two aspects are interwoven and can be described as the preparation, presentation and practice of verbal and non-verbal communication. 

This article describes what a presentation is and defines some of the key terms associated with presentation skills.

Many people feel terrified when asked to make their first public talk.  Some of these initial fears can be reduced by good preparation that also lays the groundwork for making an effective presentation.

A Presentation Is...

A presentation is a means of communication that can be adapted to various speaking situations, such as talking to a group, addressing a meeting or briefing a team.

A presentation can also be used as a broad term that encompasses other ‘speaking engagements’ such as making a speech at a wedding, or getting a point across in a video conference.

To be effective, step-by-step preparation and the method and means of presenting the information should be carefully considered. 

A presentation requires you to get a message across to the listeners and will often contain a ' persuasive ' element. It may, for example, be a talk about the positive work of your organisation, what you could offer an employer, or why you should receive additional funding for a project.

The Key Elements of a Presentation

Making a presentation is a way of communicating your thoughts and ideas to an audience and many of our articles on communication are also relevant here, see: What is Communication? for more.

Consider the following key components of a presentation:

Ask yourself the following questions to develop a full understanding of the context of the presentation.

When and where will you deliver your presentation?

There is a world of difference between a small room with natural light and an informal setting, and a huge lecture room, lit with stage lights. The two require quite different presentations, and different techniques.

Will it be in a setting you are familiar with, or somewhere new?

If somewhere new, it would be worth trying to visit it in advance, or at least arriving early, to familiarise yourself with the room.

Will the presentation be within a formal or less formal setting?

A work setting will, more or less by definition, be more formal, but there are also various degrees of formality within that.

Will the presentation be to a small group or a large crowd?

Are you already familiar with the audience?

With a new audience, you will have to build rapport quickly and effectively, to get them on your side.

What equipment and technology will be available to you, and what will you be expected to use?

In particular, you will need to ask about microphones and whether you will be expected to stand in one place, or move around.

What is the audience expecting to learn from you and your presentation?

Check how you will be ‘billed’ to give you clues as to what information needs to be included in your presentation.

All these aspects will change the presentation. For more on this, see our page on Deciding the Presentation Method .

The role of the presenter is to communicate with the audience and control the presentation.

Remember, though, that this may also include handing over the control to your audience, especially if you want some kind of interaction.

You may wish to have a look at our page on Facilitation Skills for more.

The audience receives the presenter’s message(s).

However, this reception will be filtered through and affected by such things as the listener’s own experience, knowledge and personal sense of values.

See our page: Barriers to Effective Communication to learn why communication can fail.

The message or messages are delivered by the presenter to the audience.

The message is delivered not just by the spoken word ( verbal communication ) but can be augmented by techniques such as voice projection, body language, gestures, eye contact ( non-verbal communication ), and visual aids.

The message will also be affected by the audience’s expectations. For example, if you have been billed as speaking on one particular topic, and you choose to speak on another, the audience is unlikely to take your message on board even if you present very well . They will judge your presentation a failure, because you have not met their expectations.

The audience’s reaction and therefore the success of the presentation will largely depend upon whether you, as presenter, effectively communicated your message, and whether it met their expectations.

As a presenter, you don’t control the audience’s expectations. What you can do is find out what they have been told about you by the conference organisers, and what they are expecting to hear. Only if you know that can you be confident of delivering something that will meet expectations.

See our page: Effective Speaking for more information.

How will the presentation be delivered?

Presentations are usually delivered direct to an audience.  However, there may be occasions where they are delivered from a distance over the Internet using video conferencing systems, such as Skype.

It is also important to remember that if your talk is recorded and posted on the internet, then people may be able to access it for several years. This will mean that your contemporaneous references should be kept to a minimum.

Impediments

Many factors can influence the effectiveness of how your message is communicated to the audience.

For example background noise or other distractions, an overly warm or cool room, or the time of day and state of audience alertness can all influence your audience’s level of concentration.

As presenter, you have to be prepared to cope with any such problems and try to keep your audience focussed on your message.   

Our page: Barriers to Communication explains these factors in more depth.

Continue to read through our Presentation Skills articles for an overview of how to prepare and structure a presentation, and how to manage notes and/or illustrations at any speaking event.

Continue to: Preparing for a Presentation Deciding the Presentation Method

See also: Writing Your Presentation | Working with Visual Aids Coping with Presentation Nerves | Dealing with Questions Learn Better Presentation Skills with TED Talks

Effective Communication Presentation 101: Everything You Need to Know to Deliver a Great Presentation

• Post author: Adi Wadjdi
• Post last modified: September 18, 2023

Introduction

Effective communication presentations can help you achieve personal and professional success in various situations, such as giving a speech, pitching an idea, teaching a lesson, or delivering a report. Have you ever wondered how some people can captivate their audience with their words and gestures? How they can persuade, inform, educate, or entertain with ease and confidence? How they can make a lasting impression with their presentation skills?

In this article, you will learn effective communication presentation skills, how to improve them, and how to apply them in your presentations. You will also find some practical and actionable tips that will help you enhance your confidence, clarity, and credibility as a presenter.

Table of Contents

What are effective communication presentation skills.

Presentation skills are the combination of verbal and non-verbal communication skills that you use to deliver your message to your audience. They include aspects such as:

• Verbal communication: The words you choose, the tone you use, the pace you set, and the questions you ask.
• Body language: The gestures you make, the eye contact you maintain, the posture you adopt, and the facial expressions you show.
• Voice projection: The volume you use, the pitch you modulate, the intonation you vary, and the pauses you insert.
• Visual aids : The slides you create, the images you select, the charts you display, and the videos you play.

Effective communication presentation skills are presentation skills that help you achieve your specific goals for your presentation. Depending on your purpose, your goals may be to:

• Persuade your audience to adopt your point of view, support your cause, or take action.
• Inform your audience about a topic, a problem, or a solution.
• Educate your audience about a concept, a skill, or a process.
• Entertain your audience with a story, a joke, or a performance.

Effective communication presentation skills can help you in various situations where presentation skills are required or beneficial. For example:

• Giving a speech at a wedding, graduation, or conference.
• Pitching an idea to a client, an investor, or a boss.
• Teaching a lesson to a class, a workshop, or a webinar.
• Delivering a report to a team, a committee, or a board.

How to Improve Your Presentation Skills

Improving your presentation skills is something that takes time to happen. It requires practice, feedback, and continuous learning. However, there are some practical and actionable tips that can help you improve your presentation skills in the short term and in the long term. Here are some of them:

• Define your purpose and scope for your presentation.
• Identify your target audience and their needs and expectations.
• Gather relevant and reliable information from various sources.
• Evaluate and organize the information according to its relevance and importance.
• Cite your sources properly and avoid plagiarism.
• Start with an introduction that hooks your audience’s attention , explains what effective communication presentation is, why it is important, and provides an overview of the main points.
• Follow with the body that covers the main points in detail, such as what practical communication presentation skills are, how they can help you achieve various goals, how to improve them, etc.
• End with a conclusion that summarizes the main points, restates the benefits of effective communication presentation, provides a call to action for the reader, etc.
• Use headings and subheadings to organize your content into logical sections.
• Use bullet points or numbered lists to present multiple items or steps in a concise way.
• Use transition words or phrases to connect your ideas and guide your audience through your presentation.
• Rehearse your presentation several times, preferably in front of a mirror, a recorder, or a camera.
• Simulate the actual presentation environment, such as the venue, the equipment, the audience size, etc.
• Time yourself and adjust your content and pace accordingly.
• Get feedback from someone you trust, such as a friend, a colleague, or a mentor.
• Incorporate the feedback and make improvements.
• Anticipate the most likely or common questions or challenges that may arise from your audience.
• Prepare clear and concise answers or responses for each question or challenge.
• Acknowledge and respect the questioner or challenger and their point of view.
• Address the question or challenge directly and confidently.
• Redirect the question or challenge to the audience or to another topic if necessary.
• Choose visual aids and tools that are relevant, simple, and attractive.
• Use visual aids and tools that are compatible with your presentation format, such as slides, images, charts, videos, etc.
• Use visual aids and tools that are easy to see, hear, and understand for your audience.
• Use visual aids and tools sparingly and strategically to avoid cluttering or distracting your audience.
• Explain or describe your visual aids and tools when you introduce them.

How to Apply Effective Communication Presentation Skills in Your Own Presentations

Now that you have learned what effective communication presentation skills are and how to improve them, you may wonder how to apply them in your own presentations. Here are some steps that can help you apply effective communication presentation skills in your own presentations:

• Identify the purpose and goal of your presentation. What do you want to achieve with your presentation? What do you want your audience to do, know, or feel after your presentation?
• Analyze your audience. Who are they? What are their backgrounds, interests, needs, expectations, etc.? How can you tailor your message to suit them?
• Select and research your topic. What is the main topic of your presentation? What are the subtopics or aspects that you want to cover? What are the sources of information that you can use?
• Plan your presentation structure and outline. How will you organize your content into an introduction, a body, and a conclusion? What are the main points that you want to convey in each section? How will you transition from one point to another?
• Create your presentation content. What are the words, sentences, and paragraphs that you will use to express your ideas? How will you use verbal communication techniques such as tone, pace, questions, etc.?
• Design your presentation delivery. How will you use non-verbal communication techniques such as body language, voice projection, etc.? How will you use visual aids and tools such as slides, images, charts, videos, etc.?
• Practice your presentation and get feedback. How will you rehearse your presentation? How will you simulate the actual presentation environment? How will you time yourself? How will you get feedback and make improvements?
• Deliver your presentation and handle questions and challenges. How will you start and end your presentation? How will you engage and interact with your audience? How will you handle questions and challenges?

Effective communication presentation is a skill that can help you deliver your message with confidence and clarity to your audience. It can help you achieve personal and professional success in various situations where presentation skills are required or beneficial.

To improve your effective communication presentation skills, you should:

• Research your topic and know it inside out.
• Plan your presentation structure and outline.
• Practice your presentation and get feedback.
• Prepare for possible questions and challenges.
• Use appropriate visual aids and tools.

To apply effective communication presentation skills in your presentations, you should:

• Identify the purpose and goal of your presentation.
• Analyze your audience.
• Select and research your topic.
• Create your presentation content.
• Design your presentation delivery.
• Deliver your presentation and handle questions and challenges.

We hope this article has helped you learn more about effective communication.

FAQ’s

What is an effective communication presentation.

Effective communication presentation is the ability to convey your message clearly, concisely, and convincingly to your audience. It is a skill that can help you achieve personal and professional success in various situations, such as giving a speech, pitching an idea, teaching a lesson, or delivering a report.

Why is effective communication presentation important?

Effective communication presentation is important because it can help you persuade, inform, educate, or entertain your audience. It can also help you enhance your confidence, clarity, and credibility as a presenter.

What are some examples of effective communication presentation skills?

Some examples of effective communication presentation skills are verbal communication, body language, voice projection, and visual aids. These skills can help you express your ideas, engage your audience, and support your message.

How can I improve my effective communication presentation skills?

You can improve your effective communication presentation skills by researching your topic, planning your presentation structure and outline, practicing your presentation and getting feedback, preparing for possible questions and challenges, and using appropriate visual aids and tools.

How can I apply effective communication presentation skills in my own presentations?

You can apply effective communication presentation skills in your own presentations by identifying the purpose and goal of your presentation, analyzing your audience, selecting and researching your topic, creating your presentation content, designing your presentation delivery, practicing your presentation and getting feedback, and delivering your presentation and handling questions and challenges.

How long should my presentation be?

The length of your presentation depends on your purpose, topic, audience, and format. A general rule of thumb is to allocate one minute per slide or one minute per main point. However, you should also consider the time limit, the attention span, and the expectations of your audience.

How should I start and end my presentation?

You should start and end your presentation with a strong and memorable statement that captures your audience’s attention and reinforces your message. You should also include a hook, an overview, a summary, and a call to action in your introduction and conclusion.

How should I deal with nervousness before or during my presentation?

Nervousness is a natural and common reaction to presenting in front of an audience. However, you can overcome it by preparing well , practicing often, breathing deeply, smiling confidently, focusing on your message, and enjoying the experience.

How should I use slides in my presentation?

Slides are a useful tool to enhance your presentation by adding variety, interest, and clarity to your message. However, you should not rely on them too much or use them as a script. You should use slides that are relevant, simple, and attractive. You should also explain or describe them when you introduce them.

How should I handle questions or challenges from my audience?

Questions or challenges from your audience are an opportunity to interact with them and demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. You should acknowledge and respect the questioner or challenger and their point of view. You should also address the question or challenge directly and confidently. You should redirect the question or challenge to the audience or to another topic if necessary.

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• Presentation Skills
• Skills & Tools

Presentation skills can be defined as a set of abilities that enable an individual to: interact with the audience; transmit the messages with clarity; engage the audience in the presentation; and interpret and understand the mindsets of the listeners. These skills refine the way you put forward your messages and enhance your persuasive powers.

The present era places great emphasis on good presentation skills. This is because they play an important role in convincing the clients and customers. Internally, management with good presentation skills is better able to communicate the mission and vision of the organization to the employees.

Importance of Presentation Skills

Interaction with others is a routine job of businesses in today’s world. The importance of good presentation skills is established on the basis of following points:

• They help an individual in enhancing his own growth opportunities. In addition, it also grooms the personality of the presenter and elevates his levels of confidence.
• In case of striking deals and gaining clients, it is essential for the business professionals to understand the audience. Good presentation skills enable an individual to mold his message according to the traits of the audience. This increases the probability of successful transmission of messages.
• Lastly, business professionals have to arrange seminars and give presentations almost every day. Having good presentation skills not only increases an individual’s chances of success, but also enable him to add greatly to the organization.

How to Improve Presentation Skills

Development of good presentation skills requires efforts and hard work. To improve your presentation skills, you must:

• Research the Audience before Presenting: This will enable you to better understand the traits of the audience. You can then develop messages that can be better understood by your target audience. For instance, in case of an analytical audience, you can add more facts and figures in your presentation.
• Structure your Presentation Effectively: The best way to do this is to start with telling the audience, in the introduction, what you are going to present. Follow this by presenting the idea, and finish off the presentation by repeating the main points.
• Do a lot of Practice: Rehearse but do not go for memorizing the presentation. Rehearsals reduce your anxiety and enable you to look confident on the presentation day. Make sure you practice out loud, as it enables you to identify and eliminate errors more efficiently. Do not memorize anything as it will make your presentation look mechanical. This can reduce the degree of audience engagement.
• Take a Workshop: Most medium and large businesses allow their employees to take employee development courses and workshops, as well-trained employees are essential to the success of any company. You can use that opportunity to take a workshop on professional presentation skills such as those offered by Langevin Learning Services , which are useful for all business professionals, from employees to business trainers and managers.

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• CAREER GUIDE
• 12 May 2021

Good presentation skills benefit careers — and science

• David Rubenson 0

David Rubenson is the director of the scientific-communications firm No Bad Slides ( nobadslides.com ) in Los Angeles, California.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

You have full access to this article via your institution.

A better presentation culture can save the audience and the larger scientific world valuable time and effort. Credit: Shutterstock

In my experience as a presentation coach for biomedical researchers, I have heard many complaints about talks they attend: too much detail, too many opaque visuals, too many slides, too rushed for questions and so on. Given the time scientists spend attending presentations, both in the pandemic’s virtual world and in the ‘face-to-face’ one, addressing these complaints would seem to be an important challenge.

I’m dispirited that being trained in presentation skills, or at least taking more time to prepare presentations, is often not a high priority for researchers or academic departments. Many scientists feel that time spent improving presentations detracts from research or clocking up the numbers that directly affect career advancement — such as articles published and the amount of grant funding secured. Add in the pressing, and sometimes overwhelming, bureaucratic burdens associated with working at a major biomedical research institute, and scientists can simply be too busy to think about changing the status quo.

Improving presentations can indeed be time-consuming. But there are compelling reasons for researchers to put this near the top of their to-do list.

You’re probably not as good a presenter as you think you are

Many scientists see problems in colleagues’ presentations, but not their own. Having given many lousy presentations, I know that it is all too easy to receive (and accept) plaudits; audiences want to be polite. However, this makes it difficult to get an accurate assessment of how well you have communicated your message.

Why your scientific presentation should not be adapted from a journal article

With few exceptions, biomedical research presentations are less effective than the speaker would believe. And with few exceptions, researchers have little appreciation of what makes for a good presentation. Formal training in presentation techniques (see ‘What do scientists need to learn?’) would help to alleviate these problems.

Improving a presentation can help you think about your own research

A well-designed presentation is not a ‘data dump’ or an exercise in advanced PowerPoint techniques. It is a coherent argument that can be understood by scientists in related fields. Designing a good presentation forces a researcher to step back from laboratory procedures and organize data into themes; it’s an effective way to consider your research in its entirety.

You might get insights from the audience

Overly detailed presentations typically fill a speaker’s time slot, leaving little opportunity for the audience to ask questions. A comprehensible and focused presentation should elicit probing questions and allow audience members to suggest how their tools and methods might apply to the speaker’s research question.

Many have suggested that multidisciplinary collaborations, such as with engineers and physical scientists, are essential for solving complex problems in biomedicine. Such innovative partnerships will emerge only if research is communicated clearly to a broad range of potential collaborators.

It might improve your grant writing

Many grant applications suffer from the same problem as scientific presentations — too much detail and a lack of clearly articulated themes. A well-designed presentation can be a great way to structure a compelling grant application: by working on one, you’re often able to improve the other.

It might help you speak to important, ‘less-expert’ audiences

As their career advances, it is not uncommon for scientists to increasingly have to address audiences outside their speciality. These might include department heads, deans, philanthropic foundations, individual donors, patient groups and the media. Communicating effectively with scientific colleagues is a prerequisite for reaching these audiences.

Collection: Conferences

Better presentations mean better science

An individual might not want to spend 5 hours improving their hour-long presentation, but 50 audience members might collectively waste 50 hours listening to that individual’s mediocre effort. This disparity shows that individual incentives aren’t always aligned with society’s scientific goals. An effective presentation can enhance the research and critical-thinking skills of the audience, in addition to what it does for the speaker.

What do scientists need to learn?

Formal training in scientific presentation techniques should differ significantly from programmes that stress the nuances of public speaking.

The first priority should be to master basic presentation concepts, including:

• How to build a concise scientific narrative.

• Understanding the limitations of slides and presentations.

• Understanding the audience’s time and attention-span limitations .

• Building a complementary, rather than repetitive, relationship between what the speaker says and what their slides show.

The training should then move to proper slide design, including:

• The need for each slide to have an overarching message.

• Using slide titles to help convey that message.

• Labelling graphs legibly.

• Deleting superfluous data and other information.

• Reducing those 100-word text slides to 40 words (or even less) without losing content.

• Using colour to highlight categories of information, rather than for decoration.

• Avoiding formats that have no visual message, such as data tables.

A well-crafted presentation with clearly drawn slides can turn even timid public speakers into effective science communicators.

Scientific leaders have a responsibility to provide formal training and to change incentives so that researchers spend more time improving presentations.

A dynamic presentation culture, in which every presentation is understood, fairly critiqued and useful for its audience, can only be good for science.

Nature 594 , S51-S52 (2021)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-01281-8

This is an article from the Nature Careers Community, a place for Nature readers to share their professional experiences and advice. Guest posts are encouraged .

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Role of Communication in Presentation and Speech

What is a presentation in communication? Presentation in communication is the act of presenting a message or topic to an audience. It involves speaking, using visual aids, and engaging with the audience to convey a specific message. 

Being concise, using visual aids, speaking confidently, and engaging with the audience are all important aspects of delivering a successful presentation. Additionally, one should be prepared, practice extensively beforehand, and handle questions with ease.  

The Most Effective Communication Skills to Present Like a Pro

Do you want to present like a pro? The key to success is effective communication. It’s an essential skill for both personal and professional success. Fortunately, presentation skills in business communication can be developed and improved with practice. What is a presentation in communication? In this post, we will explore the 8 most effective communication skills to help you present like a pro. 

From understanding your audience to expressing yourself confidently, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make your presentations successful. Read on to discover how to become a masterful presenter.

Know your audience

Before you present, it is important to take the time to know your audience. Understand who they are and what their interests are. Knowing your audience will help you customize your presentation to appeal to them. 

Ask yourself questions like: Who are they? What is their level of knowledge on the topic? Are they primarily interested in the practical application of the topic or more theoretical aspects?

Answering these questions will help you tailor your presentation skills in business communication to make it more interesting and effective. When you have a good understanding of your audience, you can better  choose the communication techniques that are best for engaging them.

Make a connection

It is essential to make a connection with your audience when giving a presentation. Take time to get to know them and ask them questions to determine their needs and interests. Try to use examples and stories that will resonate with them and show that you understand their concerns. 

Use humour if appropriate and focus on engaging the audience as much as possible. When speaking, focus on being personable and making eye contact with people in the room. Show that you are passionate about what you are presenting and be sure to smile. 

Be sure to actively listen to feedback so that you can modify your presentation accordingly. If you make an effort to connect with your audience, you will be able to make your presentation more memorable and effective.

Tell a story

Stories can be powerful tools to help get your point across during a presentation. Not only do stories engage your audience, but they also help to personalize the topic and make it more interesting and memorable. Stories can be used to illustrate your points and give real-life examples of what you are talking about. 

When sharing a story, be sure to provide enough detail and keep it focused on the topic of your presentation. Focus on the key elements of the story and how it ties in with your message. 

Use the story as an example or analogy to help the audience better understand the information you are trying to present. Finally, be sure to use storytelling techniques like vivid descriptions, suspense, and a moral to bring the story to life and make a lasting impression on your audience.

Use strong words

Strong words can be a powerful tool for delivering an effective presentation. Not only do strong words help to capture your audience's attention, but they also convey your message with clarity and confidence. 

When preparing your  presentation skills in business communication , think about the kind of words you want to use. Use words that are relevant and make an impact on your audience. Avoid using too much jargon and complex language; this can be off-putting for some listeners. Instead, try to choose words that are interesting and engaging. Also, be sure to vary your word choice to keep your audience interested.

Moreover, don’t be afraid to emphasize certain words. This can help add weight to your point and create a sense of drama or urgency. Paying attention to your volume and pitch when you say certain words can also help create a more compelling presentation. 

Using strong words is an important way to communicate effectively in a presentation. It can help you engage your audience and make your message more memorable.

Use body language

Body language is a powerful tool for communication and can add emphasis to your presentation. Pay attention to how you stand, how you hold your arms and even the direction of your gaze. Positive body language conveys confidence and enthusiasm. 

Keep your arms open and away from your body. Speak with gestures and move around the room when appropriate. Eye contact is essential – make sure to look at the audience when you’re speaking and establish a connection with them. 

Don't be afraid to smile and pause for a few seconds while talking. Your body language should be congruent with what you are saying. Doing so will show that you are comfortable and competent in delivering your message.

Be aware of your voice

Your voice is a key factor in communicating effectively. It can be used to emphasize points and make your presentation memorable. When you're presenting, be conscious of the volume, tone, and pacing of your voice. 

Speak loud enough so that everyone can hear you, but not too loudly. Your tone should be confident and conversational. Speak clearly and pronounce each word correctly. Also, vary your speed and pitch to emphasize important points and keep your audience engaged. 

Taking pauses in the right places can help people better understand what you're saying. Lastly, don't rush through your presentation, and make sure to take your time. By being aware of how you use your voice, you can make a lasting impression on your audience.

Use visual aids

Using visuals in your presentation is a great way to engage your audience. Visual aids help break up the monotony of talking and can be used to explain complex concepts simply and concisely. 

There are various types of visual methods of effective communication ppt you can use, such as photographs, infographics, diagrams, slides, and videos. Make sure to choose visuals that are relevant to your presentation and that can be seen by everyone. 

When using visual aids, keep in mind that they should complement what you are saying, not overpower it. 

Be sure to practice with the visual aids before presenting so that you can be sure of their impact. By using visual aids in your presentation, you will be able to add depth and clarity to your message.

Practice, practice, practice!

The most important part of delivering an  effective communication skills , presentation is practice. It is the key to building your confidence and ensuring that you make the best possible impression on your audience. 

Start by writing out your presentation and practicing it alone, then practice in front of family and friends until you are comfortable with your delivery. 

Rehearse your presentation several times to familiarize yourself with it and to ensure that you don’t leave anything out. Familiarizing yourself with the material will help you present it confidently and make you appear more competent and professional. 

Practicing your methods of effective communication ppt will also help you identify any areas where you can improve, allowing you to make necessary changes and ensure that you are delivering the best presentation possible.

Presentation skills for engaged business communication

What is a presentation in communication? Successful business communication involves more than just knowing the right words to say. To truly engage your audience, you need to know how to effectively deliver your message. Presentation skills are an essential part of effective communication in the business world. 

In this post, we will explore 8 communication skills presentations that will help you engage your audience and ensure your message is delivered clearly and effectively. Whether you are presenting to a room full of colleagues or a single client, having strong presentation skills can make all the difference. Read on to learn more about the 8 presentation skills for engaged business communication.

1) The Art of Storytelling

Storytelling is an invaluable tool for making an impact with your business presentations. Telling stories helps to draw your audience in and create a connection with them while making complex concepts easier to understand. 

Through stories, you can capture their attention and share your message in a way that will stay with them long after the presentation has ended. When using methods of effective communication ppt stories, be sure to select relevant stories that illustrate the main points of your presentation, and keep them brief so you don't lose your audience's focus.

2) Be Concise

When presenting to an audience, it is important to be succinct. This means conveying your message in the most efficient manner possible. 

Avoid going off-topic and include only relevant information. Speak clearly, using language that everyone in the room can understand. Don't rely on jargon or slang to communicate your ideas. 

Focus on the main points and keep your presentation as concise as possible. Let your slides do some of the talking, too. Get to the point quickly and finish promptly. Being concise will help you keep your audience's attention and ensure they walk away with your key messages.

3) Use Visual Aids

Visual aids can be an effective way to engage with your audience and illustrate your points. Choose visuals that are easy to understand and keep the text to a minimum. Utilizing charts, graphs, or images can make complex ideas easier to digest. 

Use visual aids to bring life to your presentation, help break up the information, and maintain the audience’s attention. Make sure to practice using them so they are not distracting from your key message.

4) Speak with Confidence

When giving a presentation, it's important to speak with confidence. This doesn't mean you need to be overly loud or assertive; it simply means that you need to be sure of yourself and your topic. Projecting your voice and speaking clearly will help ensure that your message is communicated effectively. 

Additionally, use body language that indicates you are confident in what you are saying, like keeping eye contact with your audience and maintaining an open, upright posture. With practice, you'll find speaking confidently comes naturally.

5) Engage with Your Audience

When delivering a presentation, engaging your audience is essential for successful communication. Ask questions, make eye contact, and allow for interaction. Incorporating interactive activities like polls or brainstorming can help keep the audience engaged. 

Encourage feedback and discussion by using inclusive language like "we" and "us". Invite questions and address them thoughtfully, considering the interests and needs of your audience. Finally, create a dialogue with your audience, and don't be afraid to get creative!

6) Be Prepared

In business communication, it is vital to be prepared. Preparation includes researching your topic thoroughly and having an outline of what you would like to say. Make sure to have a few key points to emphasize and practice presenting them. 

Be organized and be able to defend any claims that you make. Finally, plan to ensure that you can accommodate any interruptions or questions. Having the right materials at hand will give you the confidence you need to engage your audience.

7) Practice, Practice, Practice

When it comes to mastering presentation skills in business communication, practice is essential. Not only should you practice out loud until you are confident in your delivery, but also practice different scenarios and answers to potential questions. 

Visualize yourself delivering the presentation and anticipate any challenges that could arise. Practicing will help you feel more prepared and confident during the actual presentation. With enough practice, you'll become a master of delivering engaging presentations that leave a lasting impact.

8) Handle Questions with Ease

An important part of any presentation is the Q&A session. Be prepared to answer questions from your audience effectively and confidently. Answer questions completely and honestly, and be sure to explain complex concepts. 

If you don’t know the answer to a question, take the time to research it and provide an informed response. By being prepared and providing honest answers, your audience will appreciate your transparency and respect your knowledge.

Communication is an essential tool for any presentation or speech. It helps to develop trust, gives you the ability to delegate tasks, encourages others to share their ideas, and allows you to have difficult conversations. By practicing effective  communication skills in presentation , you can improve your writing skills and get promoted in the process. Communication is a crucial skill that can be used to great effect in presentations and speeches.

Useful Resources:    What is an effective presentation |  What is written communication |  Types of communication formal and informal

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Importance of communication skills in presentation

Effective communication, fresh perspectives, and enhanced teamwork have created some of the world’s best projects. People who can communicate their desires, goals, and wishful outcomes are game-changers, and those people are valuable for any architectural company. It’s hard to talk about where you could be in 10 or 20 years. However, focusing on mastering your communication skills while you’re still young and improving intellectually, will make you ideally suited for future leadership positions.

Words depict your personality

What makes architects unique is the way we think, and to let the world know what your ideas are about, you must know how to communicate well. The building design has evolved to incorporate innovative design, construction methods, and social elements, resulting in the opportunity for architects to integrate knowledge from various fields into the design process. Sometimes trying to convey everything in a particular design can create chaos. What I mean by that is if you’re trying to cram 8 ideas into one project, it muddles the water and none of your ideas are accurately communicated. Instead, try to focus on solving the problem with one or two ideas. You will meet a lot of new people from all walks of life. Take advantage of these opportunities to reflect on your career progress and learn from them.

Socialize and Influence people.

Great pioneers of businesses, organizations, institutions are all very clear on what they want and are very good at communicating these ideas efficiently to people and get work done. People of varying knowledge and experience levels should be able to understand what you’re talking about. The real challenge is to be brief but comprehensive; try to be as detailed as possible whilst using as little words as possible.  Plus, Staying empathetic will help you get along with everyone in the workplace. Become a person they can turn to openly share their notions without judgment. In this way, you provide the support, opportunity, and ensure the maximum results.

 When you present, you are in charge of the room.

Jurors and critics want to hear and discuss big ideas. Good communication skills can ease these interactions, and ensure that you can get your point across calmly and clearly, and also take on board the responses. The purpose of a presentation is to get them to understand the concept and approach and to engage the space in their minds. Anything you are trying to convince a jury in words has to be correlated to the illustrations.

So, there should be enough visual material on the wall to make your life easy explaining it during design juries. The words that we choose can make a big difference in whether your project is understood.

Comprehend the Feedback

The jury process is not always about your presentation skills but an opportunity to improve your active listening skills. Listening is an active form of communication. Listen to what people tell you. Design jurors and reviewers only want to explore the ideas behind the project. Give them what they want, and don’t refrain from talking about the process and how the structure has been developed. Concentrate on what they are saying and avoid interruptions until they are through speaking. Seek feedback and ask questions when in the position to speak. As we know, Practice makes you perfect. Form a group like mock viva with your friends, and invite them to critique your work. This will not only allow you to see your idea from a different angle but also allow you to prevent mistakes and practice for the day.

In the field of architecture, communication between the architect and his organization is based on everything from verbal communication to computer-generated architectural drawings and images. Architect’s duties require specific skills for any project—designing, engineering, managing, supervising, and communicating with clients and builders. It eventually comes down to teamwork and execution. Coordinating the responsibilities of all members is crucial for a successful design. Communication makes it easier to function collectively, and also makes use of the strength of each individual to meet the project deadlines. It’s all about getting the right information to the right people at the right time. Misunderstanding is a common distraction from design intentions among teams that do not take the time to understand one another.

Clients, Us and the project

The collective vision among the architect and client is directly related to the success of a project. The choice of an architect by the client depends on his satisfaction gathered during the discussion where conversation skills play a vital role. The client needs to set up confidence and trust in the architect and good communication is the key to land your dream project. We should convey the value we are bringing to the project in terms they understand. If they’re figures-oriented, talk of budget savings.

If they’re aesthetically minded, talk of beauty. If they’re rational types, talk of energy efficiency.

As architects, you’ll know there are a million variables in play when it comes to planning and constructing a building. Your clients might not. So it’s up to us to be clear and show them the way.

Sneha Kannan, a young architect, Interior designer based in Chennai. Her work involves creating spaces with strong visual and social identity. As an architectural writer and graphic designer in practice, she believes graduation is just a start to life. Developing a strong interest in aesthetics and management, she is working her way towards becoming a multi-faceted individual.

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1.1 Why Is Public Speaking Important?

Learning objectives.

• Explore three types of public speaking in everyday life: informative, persuasive, and entertaining.
• Understand the benefits of taking a course in public speaking.
• Explain the benefits people get from engaging in public speaking.

Christian Pierret – Leader – CC BY 2.0.

In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with messages both good and bad. No matter where you live, where you work or go to school, or what kinds of media you use, you are probably exposed to hundreds. if not thousands, of advertising messages every day. Researcher Norman W. Edmund estimates that by 2020 the amount of knowledge in the world will double every seventy-three days (Edmund, 2005). Because we live in a world where we are overwhelmed with content, communicating information in a way that is accessible to others is more important today than ever before. To help us further understand why public speaking is important, we will first examine public speaking in everyday life. We will then discuss how public speaking can benefit you personally.

Everyday Public Speaking

Every single day people across the United States and around the world stand up in front of some kind of audience and speak. In fact, there’s even a monthly publication that reproduces some of the top speeches from around the United States called Vital Speeches of the Day ( http://www.vsotd.com ). Although public speeches are of various types, they can generally be grouped into three categories based on their intended purpose: informative, persuasive, and entertaining.

Informative Speaking

One of the most common types of public speaking is informative speaking . The primary purpose of informative presentations is to share one’s knowledge of a subject with an audience. Reasons for making an informative speech vary widely. For example, you might be asked to instruct a group of coworkers on how to use new computer software or to report to a group of managers how your latest project is coming along. A local community group might wish to hear about your volunteer activities in New Orleans during spring break, or your classmates may want you to share your expertise on Mediterranean cooking. What all these examples have in common is the goal of imparting information to an audience.

Informative speaking is integrated into many different occupations. Physicians often lecture about their areas of expertise to medical students, other physicians, and patients. Teachers find themselves presenting to parents as well as to their students. Firefighters give demonstrations about how to effectively control a fire in the house. Informative speaking is a common part of numerous jobs and other everyday activities. As a result, learning how to speak effectively has become an essential skill in today’s world.

Persuasive Speaking

A second common reason for speaking to an audience is to persuade others. In our everyday lives, we are often called on to convince, motivate, or otherwise persuade others to change their beliefs, take an action, or reconsider a decision. Advocating for music education in your local school district, convincing clients to purchase your company’s products, or inspiring high school students to attend college all involve influencing other people through public speaking.

For some people, such as elected officials, giving persuasive speeches is a crucial part of attaining and continuing career success. Other people make careers out of speaking to groups of people who pay to listen to them. Motivational authors and speakers, such as Les Brown ( http://www.lesbrown.com ), make millions of dollars each year from people who want to be motivated to do better in their lives. Brian Tracy, another professional speaker and author, specializes in helping business leaders become more productive and effective in the workplace ( http://www.briantracy.com ).

Whether public speaking is something you do every day or just a few times a year, persuading others is a challenging task. If you develop the skill to persuade effectively, it can be personally and professionally rewarding.

Entertaining Speaking

Entertaining speaking involves an array of speaking occasions ranging from introductions to wedding toasts, to presenting and accepting awards, to delivering eulogies at funerals and memorial services in addition to after-dinner speeches and motivational speeches. Entertaining speaking has been important since the time of the ancient Greeks, when Aristotle identified epideictic speaking (speaking in a ceremonial context) as an important type of address. As with persuasive and informative speaking, there are professionals, from religious leaders to comedians, who make a living simply from delivering entertaining speeches. As anyone who has watched an awards show on television or has seen an incoherent best man deliver a wedding toast can attest, speaking to entertain is a task that requires preparation and practice to be effective.

Personal Benefits of Public Speaking

Oral communication skills were the number one skill that college graduates found useful in the business world, according to a study by sociologist Andrew Zekeri (Zekeri, 2004). That fact alone makes learning about public speaking worthwhile. However, there are many other benefits of communicating effectively for the hundreds of thousands of college students every year who take public speaking courses. Let’s take a look at some of the personal benefits you’ll get both from a course in public speaking and from giving public speeches.

Benefits of Public Speaking Courses

In addition to learning the process of creating and delivering an effective speech, students of public speaking leave the class with a number of other benefits as well. Some of these benefits include

• developing critical thinking skills,
• fine-tuning verbal and nonverbal skills,
• overcoming fear of public speaking.

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

One of the very first benefits you will gain from your public speaking course is an increased ability to think critically. Problem solving is one of many critical thinking skills you will engage in during this course. For example, when preparing a persuasive speech, you’ll have to think through real problems affecting your campus, community, or the world and provide possible solutions to those problems. You’ll also have to think about the positive and negative consequences of your solutions and then communicate your ideas to others. At first, it may seem easy to come up with solutions for a campus problem such as a shortage of parking spaces: just build more spaces. But after thinking and researching further you may find out that building costs, environmental impact from loss of green space, maintenance needs, or limited locations for additional spaces make this solution impractical. Being able to think through problems and analyze the potential costs and benefits of solutions is an essential part of critical thinking and of public speaking aimed at persuading others. These skills will help you not only in public speaking contexts but throughout your life as well. As we stated earlier, college graduates in Zekeri’s study rated oral communication skills as the most useful for success in the business world. The second most valuable skill they reported was problem-solving ability, so your public speaking course is doubly valuable!

Another benefit to public speaking is that it will enhance your ability to conduct and analyze research. Public speakers must provide credible evidence within their speeches if they are going to persuade various audiences. So your public speaking course will further refine your ability to find and utilize a range of sources.

Fine-Tuning Verbal and Nonverbal Skills

A second benefit of taking a public speaking course is that it will help you fine-tune your verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Whether you competed in public speaking in high school or this is your first time speaking in front of an audience, having the opportunity to actively practice communication skills and receive professional feedback will help you become a better overall communicator. Often, people don’t even realize that they twirl their hair or repeatedly mispronounce words while speaking in public settings until they receive feedback from a teacher during a public speaking course. People around the United States will often pay speech coaches over one hundred dollars per hour to help them enhance their speaking skills. You have a built-in speech coach right in your classroom, so it is to your advantage to use the opportunity to improve your verbal and nonverbal communication skills.

Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking

An additional benefit of taking a public speaking class is that it will help reduce your fear of public speaking. Whether they’ve spoken in public a lot or are just getting started, most people experience some anxiety when engaging in public speaking. Heidi Rose and Andrew Rancer evaluated students’ levels of public speaking anxiety during both the first and last weeks of their public speaking class and found that those levels decreased over the course of the semester (Rose & Rancer, 1993). One explanation is that people often have little exposure to public speaking. By taking a course in public speaking, students become better acquainted with the public speaking process, making them more confident and less apprehensive. In addition, you will learn specific strategies for overcoming the challenges of speech anxiety. We will discuss this topic in greater detail in Chapter 3 “Speaking Confidently” .

Benefits of Engaging in Public Speaking

Once you’ve learned the basic skills associated with public speaking, you’ll find that being able to effectively speak in public has profound benefits, including

• influencing the world around you,
• developing leadership skills,
• becoming a thought leader.

Influencing the World around You

If you don’t like something about your local government, then speak out about your issue! One of the best ways to get our society to change is through the power of speech. Common citizens in the United States and around the world, like you, are influencing the world in real ways through the power of speech. Just type the words “citizens speak out” in a search engine and you’ll find numerous examples of how common citizens use the power of speech to make real changes in the world—for example, by speaking out against “fracking” for natural gas (a process in which chemicals are injected into rocks in an attempt to open them up for fast flow of natural gas or oil) or in favor of retaining a popular local sheriff. One of the amazing parts of being a citizen in a democracy is the right to stand up and speak out, which is a luxury many people in the world do not have. So if you don’t like something, be the force of change you’re looking for through the power of speech.

Developing Leadership Skills

Have you ever thought about climbing the corporate ladder and eventually finding yourself in a management or other leadership position? If so, then public speaking skills are very important. Hackman and Johnson assert that effective public speaking skills are a necessity for all leaders (Hackman & Johnson, 2004). If you want people to follow you, you have to communicate effectively and clearly what followers should do. According to Bender, “Powerful leadership comes from knowing what matters to you. Powerful presentations come from expressing this effectively. It’s important to develop both” (Bender, 1998). One of the most important skills for leaders to develop is their public speaking skills, which is why executives spend millions of dollars every year going to public speaking workshops; hiring public speaking coaches; and buying public speaking books, CDs, and DVDs.

Becoming a Thought Leader

Even if you are not in an official leadership position, effective public speaking can help you become a “ thought leader .” Joel Kurtzman, editor of Strategy & Business , coined this term to call attention to individuals who contribute new ideas to the world of business. According to business consultant Ken Lizotte, “when your colleagues, prospects, and customers view you as one very smart guy or gal to know, then you’re a thought leader” (Lizotte, 2008). Typically, thought leaders engage in a range of behaviors, including enacting and conducting research on business practices. To achieve thought leader status, individuals must communicate their ideas to others through both writing and public speaking. Lizotte demonstrates how becoming a thought leader can be personally and financially rewarding at the same time: when others look to you as a thought leader, you will be more desired and make more money as a result. Business gurus often refer to “intellectual capital,” or the combination of your knowledge and ability to communicate that knowledge to others (Lizotte, 2008). Whether standing before a group of executives discussing the next great trend in business or delivering a webinar (a seminar over the web), thought leaders use public speaking every day to create the future that the rest of us live in.

Key Takeaways

• People have many reasons for engaging in public speaking, but the skills necessary for public speaking are applicable whether someone is speaking for informative, persuasive, or entertainment reasons.
• Taking a public speaking class will improve your speaking skills, help you be a more critical thinker, fine-tune your verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and help you overcome public speaking anxiety.
• Effective public speaking skills have many direct benefits for the individual speaker, including influencing the world around you, developing leadership skills, and becoming a go-to person for ideas and solutions.
• Talk to people who are currently working in the career you hope to pursue. Of the three types of public speaking discussed in the text, which do they use most commonly use in their work?
• Read one of the free speeches available at http://www.vsotd.com . What do you think the speaker was trying to accomplish? What was her or his reason for speaking?
• Which personal benefit are you most interested in receiving from a public speaking class? Why?

Bender, P. U. (1998). Stand, deliver and lead. Ivey Business Journal , 62 (3), 46–47.

Edmund, N. W. (2005). End the biggest educational and intellectual blunder in history: A $100,000 challenge to our top educational leaders . Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Scientific Method Publishing Co.

Hackman, M. Z., & Johnson, C. E. (2004). Leadership: A communication perspective (4th ed.). Long Grove, IL: Waveland.

Lizotte, K. (2008). The expert’s edge: Become the go-to authority people turn to every time [Kindle 2 version]. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from Amazon.com (locations 72–78).

Rose, H. M., & Rancer, A. S. (1993). The impact of basic courses in oral interpretation and public speaking on communication apprehension. Communication Reports , 6 , 54–60.

Zekeri, A. A. (2004). College curriculum competencies and skills former students found essential to their careers. College Student Journal , 38 , 412–422.

Stand up, Speak out Copyright © 2016 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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The 7 Benefits of Effective Communication in Personal and Professional Settings

For today’s managers, good communication plays an essential role in their success in the workplace and in their personal life. Leaders who know how to communicate effectively with those around them will see better productivity and improved relationships in every aspect of their lives.

Effective communication involves knowing how to listen attentively. It’s the ability to offer empathy, open-mindedness, and helpful feedback based on what you hear. Also, a friendly demeanor, confidence, and quality nonverbal communication will also help you, as a manager, develop good relationships with the members of your team.

Let’s explore some benefits of effective communication you will see in- and outside your office when you take the time to nurture these skills.

1. Building trust

Effective communication fosters trust with others. Your ability to listen attentively and embrace different points of view helps others trust that you are making optimal decisions for everyone in the group. As you serve as a role model, this trust will extend to your team and they will feel as though they can trust their teammates to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. 

2. Preventing or resolving problems 

The ability to communicate effectively plays a large role in resolving conflicts and preventing potential ones from arising. The key is to remain calm, make sure all parties are heard and find a solution that is ideal for everyone involved.

3. Providing clarity and direction

With effective communication skills, you’re able to deliver clear expectations and objectives for your team. This involves finding constructive ways to point out when something isn’t working as well as providing helpful feedback to get people back on track. They will understand their specific tasks and responsibilities, as well as those of their teammates, which will help eliminate conflicts and confusion.

4. Creates better relationships

Good communication also improves relationships, both with employees and in your personal life with friends and family members. Listening carefully and offering quality feedback helps people to feel heard and understood. This, in turn, nurtures mutual respect.

5. Increases engagement

With people feeling more confident in their work and in their understanding of what they need to do, they become more engaged with their work as a whole. According to a recent study exploring the psychology of employee engagement, only 15% of adult employees are engaged with their employers. By prioritizing effective communication, you can increase engagement, and thus boost satisfaction, among your team members.

6. Improves productivity

When team members understand their roles, the roles of others and your expectations, they can focus more on their work and less on workplace issues. With effective communication, conflicts are resolved quickly, employees can better manage their workload and distractions are minimized. These benefits contribute to greater productivity for you and your team.

7. Promotes team building

With improved communication, team members will be better able to rely on each other. You will not have one team member feel as though they have to carry the entire group. This improved division of labor will encourage positive feelings and relationships between the team members, which leads to improved morale and work experiences.

Good communication skills can play an important role in nurturing positive work experiences for your entire team. As people feel listened to and understood by you, you naturally improve your work environment. If you want to learn more about how to improve your leadership skills, including your communication strategies, take a look at our Effective Communication workshop at PCC. This condensed workshop will demonstrate the impact communication skills have on other people, at work and in life.

Learn from anywhere in the world! Click on the 'Learn Online' button to explore one of our communication classes in an online, self-paced environment. 

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The Importance of Communication Skills in Oral Presentations

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Nonverbal Communication in Interviews

Tips on a great capstone presentation, steps to a good retirement speech.

• How to Give an Informative Speech
• How to Use Good Communication Skills for Cross-Cultural Diversity

The importance of communication and presentation skills can sometimes go unnoticed or be the hardest to develop. Even though presentations are a common occurrence in business and student life, the skills necessary to speak effectively in public are often the weakest.

Importance of Communication and Presentation Skills

Sometimes, there is a tendency to brush aside communication and presentation skills in the workplace and student life due to the anxiety caused by public speaking. However, whether you are looking to make a deal or receive a grade, how you communicate with others is essential to your success.

Since there is no denying the importance of oral presentations, the first step to becoming better communicators and presenters is understanding the structure and goals of an oral presentation.

Oral Presentation Anatomy

An oral presentation has three parts: the opening, the body and the conclusion. Just like an essay, an oral presentation needs to have a clear and precise structure so that the audience does not get lost during your presentation. Inc. notes that the opening of oral presentations should establish an emotional connection with the audience. This can be done through an anecdote, a question or relevant statistics. Whatever method you use, it should somehow represent the audience or a connection that will be important to them.

Keep your presentation’s goal in mind throughout the body. Stick to a few key points, only expanding on them when necessary with relevant, supportive materials. Whatever information you are forced to leave out due to time constraints may be covered through follow-up questions.

The closing section of the presentation should leave the audience with something that resonates. Reiterate a significant phrase or your key points; don’t let the presentation’s point get lost.

Improving Communication and Presentation Skills

Nonverbal communication is an essential part of the communication skills arsenal. Thomas Jefferson University experts explain that body language and other nonverbal cues play a significant role in how others perceive you. Awareness of your nonverbal cues such as eye contact, posture and tone can be used to your advantage in keeping an audience engaged.

In addition to maintaining an organized structure, you may need to reshape your view of rehearsal to improve presentation skills. According to Inc., rehearsing is not memorizing. Most people are not actors and therefore cannot emote when reciting memorized words the same way they would if they were making it up on the fly.

To improve your communication and presentation skills, try not to perfectly memorize your speech. Instead, memorize the structure and become familiar with the words. This way, when you feel you have the presentation down, take a step back and focus on calming your nerves rather than cramming until the very last moment so that you can speak clearly when needed. It’s also critical to know your audience. Do your research so you can match their demographic in tone, semantics and speech patterns, Inc. explains. Tailor your descriptions and word choice to who will be listening.

Active Listening Is Key

Communication skills extend beyond how well you can illustrate your point; many people forget that the other half of communication is active listening. Strong communicators are active listeners.

According to Insider , a key reminder to improve communication skills is not to monopolize the conversation. Let others speak and ask follow-up questions so they know you are listening.

Don’t forget to follow-up with questions and comments, demonstrating that you have been paying attention by considering the presentation. When you can convey to others that you are actively listening to what they have to say, they will return the favor.

• Inc.: How to Improve Your Presentation Skills
• Thomas Jefferson University: The 5 Most Critical Business Communication Skills for Getting Ahead
• Insider: I'm a CEO and the Most Underrated Business Skill Is One Most People Are Terrible At

Danielle Smyth is a writer and content marketer from upstate New York. She has been writing on business-related topics for nearly 10 years. She owns her own content marketing agency, Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing, and she works with a number of small businesses to develop B2B content for their websites, social media accounts, and marketing materials. In addition to this content, she has written business-related articles for sites like Sweet Frivolity, Alliance Worldwide Investigative Group, Bloom Co and Spent.

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Communication Skills: Why They’re Important

How much of your daily time is spent communicating with someone, in some form or another? While the landscapes of our lives have changed since the 1960s, psychological studies conducted during that period indicate that most people spend between 50-80% of their waking hours communicating with others. No wonder good communication skills are important! 

With the advent of increasingly complex technology, we now have constant access to a multitude of communication methods, ranging from a typical phone call with some other person to illustrative memes passed from colleague to colleague through Slack. And, since there are smartphones in the hands of 3.5 billion people around the world - nearly half the world’s population - we are rarely ever “out of pocket” or unreachable. 

Given the immense role that social connection plays in our daily lives, developing the ability to communicate effectively is an extremely worthwhile endeavor, and one that can help you realize goals in your personal and professional life. 

Why are good communication skills so important?

Communication is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “the transmission or exchange of information, knowledge, or ideas by means of speech, writing, mechanical or electrical media.” Put simply, communication is how we interact with, and relate to, other people, and this include nonverbal communication.

To uncover communication’s importance, we need to look at its evolution - how and why it developed in humans, rather than in other animal species. 

Michael Tomasello, a prolific and widely lauded developmental and comparative psychologist, attributes the evolution of advanced communication in humans to the unique nature of our species: 

“…the most fundamental aspects of human communication are seen as biological adaptations for cooperation and social interaction in general…The ability to create common conceptual ground - joint attention, shared experience, common cultural knowledge — is an absolutely critical dimension of all human communication.” (Thomasello 2008)

In short, our tendency to create social groups within which individuals rely upon one another generated a need for strong communication skills - a way of passing around information. Tomasello specifically posits that human communication began with simple gestures like pointing, developed further by incorporating sounds and visual representations (think cave paintings), and finally blossomed into speech and complex language. 

Although an entire field of study called Evolutionary Anthropology is devoted to these and similar topics, the takeaway here is that communication skills, initially developed because they increased the human species’ odds of survival, are still critically important in our day-to-day lives. While we may not be signaling the presence of a predator to others in our social circle, we rely on communication to deepen relationships with family and friends, and to find success in our professional lives. 

What exactly are communication skills?

It’s likely you’ve sat through a meeting where the presenter’s monotonous voice or their convoluted explanations nearly sent you to sleep. That speaker’s poor communication skills affected you, their audience; speaking clearly, concisely, and with an engaging manner are all skills that can be learned. 

As the above example demonstrates, communication skills are not simply about speaking a language fluently or writing well - they’re abilities that enable you to be an effective communicator by ensuring that your audience understands the information you’re trying to convey .

While there’s an immense diversity of communication forms around the world - nearly 7,000 languages were documented globally in 2009 ( Ethnologue ) - methods of communication are typically sorted into three main types: verbal , non-verbal , and written . We’ll use these categories to discuss specific communication skills and how to improve them below.

Verbal communication 

Typically when you hear “communication,” your first thought is speech. Verbal communication is just that - spoken language used to convey information and meaning during interactions. 

As noted above, there are thousands of distinct languages distributed across the globe, with many people learning and using more than one during their lifetimes, or even daily. 

For much of our species’ history, verbal communication was limited to face-to-face interactions within a tightly-knit social group. As electricity and subsequent technologies dependent upon it were invented, verbal communication expanded widely beyond direct physical interaction. 

Today, verbal communication can refer to the following:

• Face-to-face communication: when you’re able to see your conversational partner. Face-to-face communication can occur either in close physical proximity to others or, as is increasingly common, via video conferencing software like Zoom or FaceTime.
• Vocal communication: information transferred verbally through a medium. While video conferencing has become more ubiquitous, we still frequently rely on solely vocal methods of communication like phone calls or recorded voice messages. 

Non-verbal communication

When we speak with someone, we’re not simply listening to words in a vacuum - we’re also picking up on non-verbal cues from one another that provide context, giving the words themselves intention and depth. 

Types of non-verbal communication include:

Body language: 

Any movement or gesture exhibited by an individual’s body in the midst of communication. Your posture, demeanor, and hand gestures send signals about your level of confidence, your interest in the discussion, or your feelings about your conversational partners. Confident body language is important!

For instance, as an audience member at a conference, movements like slouching, crossing your arms, or resting your head in your hand can indicate that you’re not invested in the presentation. In contrast, sitting up straight, nodding at appropriate moments, and taking notes demonstrates a willingness to engage with the subject matter. 

Facial expressions: 

How an individual’s face moves and what social or cultural cues the resulting expressions signal to others. As a species, our faces are uniquely expressive, and are an essential component of face-to-face communication. We demonstrate internal emotions very clearly through facial gestures like eyebrow raises or frowns, allowing others to sense how we’re feeling without requiring vocalization.

Eye-contact: 

Looking your conversational partner in the eyes while you communicate. Meeting the gaze of someone during conversation does not mean a visual stand-off; rather, when you gently maintain eye contact, it demonstrates an interest in the discussion and shows respect* for your conversational partner. 

(*Eye-contact can be complex if you’re neuro-divergent and experience ADHD or autism; in these cases, a lack of eye-contact does not indicate a lack of respect. If you have one of these conditions and are interested in increasing your ability to make eye contact, try working with a behavioral therapist.)

Written communication

Written communication is self-explanatory: it’s any exchange of information written by hand, typed or transcribed. While today we’re used to instantaneous digital communication, this form of conversing has only existed for a comparatively short period of human history: our species evolved 200,000 years ago, whereas electronic communication was only introduced in the mid-1800s with the telegram. 

This highlights how rapidly human communication can evolve, and today some linguistic studies center around specific conventions that set things like tweets apart from other types of writing.

This is to say that regardless of how a written message is delivered, writing itself is complex, and it can require a significant amount of knowledge and skill to be used effectively.  As such, in our improvement section, we’ll cover broad approaches to improving your writing skills in your professional life. 

How to become an effective communicator

Do you want to develop truly excellent communication skills? We’ll address actionable steps for improvement shortly, but first, let’s revisit the subject we addressed in the introduction - if your communication skills have seemed just fine, thanks up until now, what’s the point of examining yourself under a microscope? 

Here are some benefits of putting in the hard work to become a good communicator: 

Improve confidence: 

Communication is the thread that ties society together. Being able to convey your ideas and opinions effectively allows you to express and be recognized for other innate skills, like compassion, tenacity or humor. 

Effective communication skills also enhance your ability to advocate for your wants and needs, which can help you move towards self-actualization. 

Deepen and strengthen relationships: 

Communicating isn’t just about talking to or at people - it involves developing listening skills and emotional intelligence. Improving your ability to listen and fully comprehend gives you the opportunity to relate to others more closely, and to better understand differing perspectives. 

While small talk can be tiresome, deeper, honest discussions strengthen bonds, and require some of the soft skills you’ll see in truly great communicators. You can often learn much about yourself when speaking to someone else - just clarify boundaries ahead of time!

Enhance leadership skills: 

A good leader must be an effective communicator, otherwise their team’s morale and productivity will suffer. Someone who can explain the how and why of a project, then break down and communicate tasks directly will be much more successful than someone who cannot. A good leader should also be able to relate to their colleagues - don’t underestimate the value of team relationships based on mutual respect and trust. 

Achieve goals: 

This may be the most obvious reason to improve your communication skills: if you have big dreams or even small milestones you’d like to reach, being an articulate, effective communicator will keep you on track from start to finish. 

Becoming a good self-advocate and a confident speaker will help you network, and by strengthening relationships you’ll gain a better support system to rely on when the going gets tough. 

Improving verbal communication skills

Practice “active listening”: .

The first and most important step for better verbal communication is becoming a more effective listener . Yes, really! This means making an effort to ensure you truly comprehend the material by being an active listener. 

Try strategies like taking notes, paraphrasing information immediately afterwards, and ensuring that you’re not listening simply to reply - let others talk at their own pace and become comfortable with natural silences (every second doesn’t need to be filled with chatter!). The more you listen to others, the better you’ll become at analyzing communication styles, and at identifying techniques you want to adopt.

Practice speaking: 

Yes, actually practice in person, or via phone or video chat with someone you trust, like family, friends, or a mentor. Use recording apps to practice by yourself. Pay attention to your flow of ideas, your typical speaking tone, and evaluate whether your audience (if practicing with others) understands the material. 

Ask for feedback: 

Again, feedback is crucial, particularly in the workplace. Being open to constructive criticism develops skills in previously weak areas. Colleagues, mentors, and even supervisors may be open to sharing nuances they’ve noticed when you speak (e.g. the dreaded “…uhm”), and can give you pointers.  

Improving non-verbal communication skills

Improve posture and breathing: .

Although analyzing your own body language can be awkward,many communication skills depend on these nonverbal cues. Pay attention to how you stand, sit, breathe and gesture during the communication process. Avoiding slouching and learning to regulate the speed of your speech and breathing can go a long way to improving confidence. The importance of communication skills can go a long way, whether in the form of business communication, presentation skills, or within personal relationships. 

The importance of practice can’t be understated. Practice with friends or family, or by yourself in a mirror. Take note of how you move when you speak, where you hold tension in your body, and any facial expressions or eye-contact you make. 

Because emotions can slip through our mind-body filter, it’s important to understand how communicative your face can be, and whether or not your expressions are conveying what you intend.

If you’re comfortable doing so, asking for body language feedback can be invaluable. We don’t always notice when our expression or posture slips or when we fidget, and having a colleague or a mentor gently remind you can be invaluable, especially when practicing for a presentation. 

Improving written communication skills

Ensure clarity: .

Although writing varies depending upon subject and audience, always be as clear as possible. When writing poetry or crafting a novel there’s room for interpretation, but typical writing shouldn’t require a search for hidden meaning. This is especially true when relaying instructions, communicating at work, or teaching.

Check tone: 

While verbal communication provides context clues like tone of voice, writing can easily be misinterpreted. For example, texting follows a different set of punctuation rules depending on your generation - a period which is commonplace in a novel may seem harsh in a casual text. 

Things like humor, particularly sarcasm, don’t always translate well. Be very clear about what tone and message your writing may be conveying, depending upon your subject and audience. 

Find your “voice”: 

The more you write, the more likely you are to develop a style and pattern known as your “writing voice.” While this is particularly true in creative writing and journalism, it also applies to typical writing between friends or colleagues. Not everyone is going to communicate with the skill of Bob Dylan or Tupac Shakur, but everyone's got room to grow to be great in their own way!

Do you crack jokes often, or sign off with emojis rather than punctuation? When appropriate, use those traits to ensure your writing sounds like you . 

Ask for help and feedback: 

Assistance and feedback go hand-in-hand with writing. If grammar or specific writing structures aren’t your strong suits, ask someone to proofread drafts. And if you weren’t able to ask for copyediting help, ask for feedback on finished writing, and take notes for next time. 

Read more, more often: 

Yes, read to improve your writing. The more often you read, the more likely you are to recognize styles, language conventions, and vocabulary. If you’re entering a specific field of work, immerse yourself in the literature (from blogs to professional journals) that goes along with it.  

Communication skills for career success

So, how do you demonstrate effective communication in your professional life? Even if you already feel confident in your skills, there’s almost always room for improvement. 

Essential communication skills for your resume

In the current job market, the application process is quite competitive. Stand out by making a positive first impression with your resume; it’s an opportunity to highlight your top communication skills, and provides a foundation that can be expanded upon in cover letters or interviews. 

Here are a few key skills you can include, and remember to express them in engaging ways that relate to your past work. Try to avoid a static list, as action words are more evocative.

• Active listener
• Clear and concise communicator
• Responsive and timely team member
• Exemplifies respect and empathy
• Consistently diplomatic 
• Well-versed in mediation and negotiation
• Skilled at [your business field] communications *Always tailor skills to your field, e.g. “skilled at delivering financial reports to stakeholders.” 

Here’s how to be an excellent communicator as an employee: 

Ask for clarification: This ensures that expectations for your performance are clear, and paves the way for you to meet or exceed them. 

Paraphrase to demonstrate understanding: If a supervisor has explained something, particularly a complex topic or multiple tasks, taking a moment to think it through and then repeating a (simplified) version shows that you’ve internalized the information and can act on it. 

Convey information concisely: Some people love to talk! This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and in certain professions (like teaching) this is a desirable quality. However, tangents and convoluted descriptions make it hard for others to understand and absorb information. So, keep it short, sweet, and salient - ensure everything you share is relevant and actionable. 

Request feedback: The ability to receive constructive criticism without becoming defensive is truly useful, as it allows you to recognize and remedy areas of improvement, which helps you grow not only as an employee, but as a person. If you ask for feedback from colleagues and supervisors, they know you’re open to improvement from the get-go, and can tailor suggestions to areas you specify. (However, coworkers and managers should not be tearing you down - constructive criticism must be actionable, and shouldn’t be mean-spirited or directed at who you are as a person.)

Provide feedback: While not all employers will give you this opportunity, healthier environments are fostered when feedback is encouraged both ways. Keep the above points in mind - feedback should be actionable, and unless there have been serious issues with a mean-spirited or woefully ineffective manager, you should not be trying to needlessly criticize them. 

Here’s how to be an excellent communicator as a supervisor or employer:

Demonstrate respect and empathy: Ensuring your team members feel seen and respected is key to a positive work environment. When subordinates feel like exactly that, “subordinate,” they’re less inclined to go above and beyond, and rightfully so. When contributions are respected, and when you demonstrate empathy for your colleagues and their personal situations, it shows you value them as humans and not simply as workers.

Provide constructive feedback: As mentioned above, viewing your employees as the complex individuals they are is essential to positive workplace morale. Providing constructive, actionable suggestions can improve their productivity and the quality of their work, but also increases their confidence and helps them grow as individuals. 

Invite feedback: While employees are typically the ones receiving performance notes, inviting feedback on the supervisory level can boost your organization’s morale and productivity. Respecting employee input demonstrates that you’re all “in this together” and that you’re continually looking to improve the working environment. 

Provide clear instructions: Although this seems like a no-brainer, it’s sometimes difficult to know how your instructions are interpreted. Check with employees to ensure that tasks are clear and concise, and that there’s little room for misunderstanding. This small checkpoint can work wonders on employee confidence and productivity.

In conclusion

Although the process of communication skill-improvement can be daunting, this work will reward you ten-fold. Numerous studies indicate that better communication can brighten your outlook on your career and help you find fulfillment in your life out of the workplace. 

If you struggle with specific skills, remember that communication is all about connecting to others, and that asking for help is just part of the growth process. While growth may be uncomfortable, it’s often necessary to reach our goals and to truly realize our potential. 

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Americans Secretly Learn Haka Dance For Grieving Coworker

Living far from family is never easy, especially when you’re in a different country. The miles can feel insurmountable, particularly when tragedy strikes.

For Jarom Ngakuru, a New Zealander of Māori descent living in the United States, this reality hit hard when he was unable to return home for his grandmother’s funeral.

The Distance Was Heartbreaking

When Jarom Ngakuru's grandmother passed away, he faced the devastating realization that he couldn’t afford to make the trip back to New Zealand to say his final goodbye. The pain of missing such a significant family event weighed heavily on him, leaving him feeling isolated and heartbroken in a foreign land.

Ngakuru's coworkers, aware of his deep sorrow, were determined to find a way to support him. They understood that being unable to attend his grandmother’s funeral was a profound loss, and they wanted to help him honor her memory despite the distance.

Bringing New Zealand To America

In a remarkable act of solidarity and respect, Ngakuru's American colleagues embarked on a heartfelt mission. They secretly learned the Haka, a traditional Māori dance performed at significant events such as weddings, funerals, and other major life milestones. The haka is more than just a dance; it is a powerful expression of respect, love, and unity.

The group of coworkers, led by Ngakuru’s brother-in-law, who is Tongan, dedicated themselves to mastering the intricate moves and deep significance of the haka. They worked tirelessly, and within a day, they were ready to surprise their grieving friend.

Ngakuru was unaware of his coworkers’ plan until the moment they gathered to perform for him. The emotional weight of their gesture was overwhelming. As they danced, the depth of their respect and understanding of his culture shone through, bringing tears not just to Ngakuru’s eyes but to everyone who witnessed the powerful display.

He shared the poignant moment on his TikTok page with the caption, "Hardest part about living in America is that we live so far away. I couldn't make it home for my nan's funeral and I was BROKEN! So my boys at work learned the haka without me knowing and brought home to me."

A Viral Video That Touched Many Hearts

@jaromngakuru Hardest part about living in america 🇺🇸 is that we live so far away. I couldnt make it home for my nans funeral and i was BROKEN! so my boys at work learned the haka without me knowing and brought home to me 🇳🇿🏠 #haka #grateful #maori #newzealand #brothers #fyp #foryou

The video quickly went viral, touching the hearts of countless people. Comments poured in, each one reflecting the profound impact of the haka and the extraordinary act of kindness shown by Ngakuru's coworkers.

"I don't think they even understand how beautiful of an act this is," one person wrote.

"There is so much depth of emotion attached to the Haka I uncontrollably cry every time. This was beautiful," another said.

"Well I'm sobbing like a baby in my office now," a commenter revealed.

"You can feel the mana [spiritual power] and the aroha [love] they have for you. They know your mamae [hurt], what a beautiful tribute to you and our culture. Arohanui [deep affection] for your loss," someone else wrote.

Ngakuru's brother-in-law, who led the haka, explained that he had taught their friends the dance in just one day. The impressive dedication and heartfelt effort showcased the true spirit of friendship and support.

A Lasting Memory

See on Instagram

This incredible act of compassion and cultural respect created a memory that Ngakuru will carry with him forever. It was more than just a performance; it was a profound gesture of unity, understanding, and love. His coworkers’ willingness to embrace and honor his heritage in such a meaningful way brought a piece of New Zealand to America, bridging the distance and providing comfort during his time of grief.

This story is a testament to the power of human connection and the lengths we can go to support one another, even across vast cultural and geographical divides. It reminds us that no matter where we are in the world, we can find ways to bring home to those who need it most.

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Military Family Gets Shocking News On Sister's Wedding Day

Weddings are a time of joy, love, and sometimes, unexpected surprises.

For Helena Morgan, her wedding day was made even more special by the arrival of her younger brother, Army Sergeant William Watson. His presence turned an already beautiful day into a moment of unforgettable emotion and joy.

A Surprise Like No Other

Helena Morgan was preparing for her wedding day on May 4th in American Fork, Utah, with a bittersweet feeling. She believed her brother, William, wouldn’t be able to attend due to his military duties. Little did she know, William had managed to secure a 36-hour leave to be there for her special day.

In a TikTok video that quickly went viral, William surprises Helena at a hair salon, where she is getting ready for her wedding. He walks in carrying several Starbucks drinks, a ruse devised by his fiancée Robyn to mask his arrival. When Helena sees her brother standing at the door, she gasps, covers her mouth, and tears up. The siblings share a heartfelt hug, capturing a moment of pure joy and surprise.

"Baby brother got 36-hours leave to fly across the country and walk me down the aisle," Helena wrote in the video. "Best day of my whole life started with the absolute best surprise."

His Stand In Could Step Aside

Helena had gone to great lengths to include her brother in her wedding day, even ordering a cardboard cutout of him to stand in for photos. The reality of his presence, however, was far more poignant and meaningful. William's surprise visit was not just about attending the wedding; it was about being there for his sister in a way that only a brother can.

Recounting the surprise, Helena said, "He said, 'I have a Starbucks order for Robyn,' who had told me they had DoorDashed Starbucks for us." This clever plan added an extra layer of excitement to the already emotional reunion.

William didn’t just show up for the wedding; he was there to support his sister through every moment. Another TikTok video shared by Helena shows behind-the-scenes photos from the day. "Baby brother helped me finish getting ready and counted me down with deep breaths before we walked," she wrote. His presence and support provided her with the strength and calm she needed on such an important day.

Watch Helena Morgan's Video

@helenamorgan516 baby brother got 36-hours leave to fly across the country and walk me down the aisle 😭 best day of my whole life started with the absolute best surprise 🤍 #weddingday #usarmy (📸: @rob ily)

It Really Was The Perfect Day

The emotional surprise and the entire wedding day are memories that Helena will treasure forever. The bond between Helena and William, highlighted by his unexpected arrival, made the wedding day not just a celebration of love between Helena and her partner, but also a testament to the enduring love and support within their family.

"I'm going to treasure these photos forever 💕 the whole day was perfection," she captioned the photos.

William’s dedication to his sister, despite his demanding role as an Army sergeant, underscores the deep bonds of family and the lengths we go to for those we love. His actions turned a special day into an extraordinary one, filled with heartfelt moments that Helena and her family will cherish for a lifetime.

This story is a beautiful reminder of the power of family, the sacrifices made by those who serve, and the unexpected joys that can make life’s important moments even more meaningful. It’s not just about the grand gestures, but the love and support that underpin them, making every occasion truly unforgettable.

Copyright © 2024 Goalcast

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Communication and presentation skills

“Communication goes part and parcel with team working and also relates to the growing importance of the customer. All businesses have customers, whether internal or external, and being able to [communicate with] people is considered to be of vital importance in any job, especially a graduate job.”

-Carl Gilleard, Former Chief Executive, Association of Graduate Recruiters

What do recruiters want?

Recruiters ask for good communication skills can in a variety of ways. The following examples are all taken from genuine job advertisements:

• "Articulate graduates wanted…"
• "We’re looking for someone who can relate to a wide range of people…"
• "You must have clear written English…"
• "You must be able to present complex ideas in an easy to understand manner…"

As you can see from the above, there are different ways of describing communication with colleagues and customers, but generally effective communication can be broken down into three main elements:

• Listening skills  – communication is not just about getting your ideas across, it is also about actively listening to other people’s thoughts and taking them on board. People are more likely to listen to you if you've shown them the same courtesy.
• Presentation skills  – To communicate effectively in the workplace, you need to be able to present your information clearly. Presentation skills doesn’t just mean knowing how to put a good set of powerpoint slides together, it means engaging and connecting with an audience to get your message across.
• Tailoring information to suit the audience  – As well as being able to decide what information is important and how to present it, a good communicator is able to tailor that information to suit their audience. You wouldn't use the same language in an informal meeting with close colleagues as you would to present the same information to a group of external clients, for example.

Gaining communication skills

Below are some examples of how you may already have gained communication skills at the University of Bradford. There may also be some useful suggestions here if you are looking to develop your skills further:

Written  

• through academic work
• blogs - write regular articles on a subject you are passionate about 
• administration experience through part-time work
• through customer-facing job roles
• university presentations
• volunteering in the community
• student radio (RAMAIR)
• being a career ambassador / course rep / student mentor (PAL scheme)
• running for student union / student society positions

How do you prove to a recruiter that you have these skills?

It is not good enough to simply say “I have excellent communication skills” - you have to prove that you have by giving examples of when you have communicated effectively.

One way to make sure you structure your example properly is to use the STAR technique.

• S - Define the Situation
• T - Identify the Task
• A - Describe your Action
• R - Explain the Result

Below is an example of how a question on communication has been answered using the STAR technique:

Define the SITUATION:

When I started university, I joined the Bradford University Theatre Club (BUTC). I really enjoyed it and acted in several productions, as well as learning about directing and the technical side.

Identify the TASK:

In my third year I decided I wanted to stand for the role of Treasurer. There were three of us standing and we each had to do a campaign and then give a speech before one of us would be voted in.

Describe the ACTION you took:

To get the club’s opinion on the sort of things that they thought we should spend our money on - recruitment events, marketing, better equipment etc - I spoke to the other members of the club and sent a short questionnaire round. I then used the feedback I received to formulate my campaign and speech. I made posters communicating my position, and wrote a five minute speech explaining why I wanted the position and what I thought I could bring to the club.

Explain the RESULT:

This preparation and my interactions with the other club members meant that I was in a strong position to represent their interests, and I was voted in with 65% of the ballot.

Describing your experience

Have a go at writing some statements like this which reflect your own experiences from your work, your study and your personal interests. These can then be used in completing competency based application forms, included in a skills CV, or used during interviews. You can add or remove detail as appropriate, depending on the circumstances.

See the related key words, right, to help you develop your statements.

Related key words / skills

• Customer service
• Influencing
• Interpersonal skills
• Negotiation

Improving your skills 

You may have gained communication skills whilst at university, but if you are looking to sharpen up your skills, for a job interview for example, please see the below for more resources and how we can help you.

Written communication

Whether you're sending an email, writing a letter, putting an application together or compiling a report, having a good level of written communication is really important in portraying a positive, professional image.

Because emails are such a fast and easy way of contacting people, it is tempting to see them as an informal way of communicating. However, when using email to send your CV to employers or similar, it is important to use the same professional tone throughout your email, covering letter and CV.

We have loads of information on our website regarding  CVs ,  application forms  and  covering letters , with examples of layouts for you to have a look at.

How can I improve my written communication skills?

Remind yourself of potential mistakes with  this list of commonly misspelled ( not mispelled! ) words .

If you are a current student at the University of Bradford, you can use the University's  Academic Skills Advice service to speak to an adviser about your written communication skills or attend one of their workshops.

Verbal (oral) communication

How you interact with people and present information to them is essential in almost every job role from sales to education to management. What specific verbal communication skills do you have, and how will you evidence these?

• Influencing and negotiation:  have you ever tried to change someone's mind about something? If so, what did you do, and more importantly how did you do it? Being able to influence and negotiate effectively are essential in many roles. When evidencing this, try not to use an example which is too complicated. Focus on something simple as this will be much more effective e.g. changing a friends mind about which film to see at the cinema.
• Presentations:  delivering an effective presentation relies heavily on your ability to interact with the audience. Think back to the presentations you have made as part of your degree or other work experience. How did they go? What made them successful? If you are nervous about delivering presentations, think about someone you know who is good at them. What makes them effective? Why is it interesting?

How do I improve my verbal communication skills?

Career and Employability Services run a series of employability workshops each term, including sessions on effective interview skills, communication skills and group work. 

Participating in group work during your degree and getting involved in social activities such as  student societies , sports teams or a musical group can increase your confidence when speaking to others.

Body language

Your body language can be very important in how you are judged by others, as people can make assumptions (both conscious and subconscious) about others from the way they stand and sit, how they use their arms when they talk and the amount of eye contact they use.

Although this won't always be the case (and it's good practice for recruiters to avoid such preconceptions), having an awareness of positive body language can potentially help you perform better in interviews, presentations and other occasions where you need to make a good first impression.

Making a good first impression

• A firm handshake is really important  - if you're not confident about this, you could practice shaking hands with your friends.
• Maintain appropriate eye contact  - this conveys that you are listening, and that you are interested in what you are being told. It also adds a impression of honesty to your answers.
• Don't slouch, and keep both feet on the floor . Keep your hands relaxed and don't fiddle with a pen or your hair.
• Don't gesticulate  too  much , as this might make you come across as a bit aggressive and can detract attention from what you are saying.

How can I improve my body language?

• We offer  mock interviews  to help you practice in a formal interview scenario with feedback from the careers consultant afterwards.  Reserve your appointment now .
• Build My Career  has an  Interview Simulator  which can film your answers to enable you to see how you come across when answering questions.

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What Is Effective Communication? Skills for Work, School, and Life

Discover how improving your communication skills can benefit your career, education, and personal life.

Communication is a part of everyday life, whether we communicate in person or on the countless digital platforms available to us. But how much of our communication actually reaches the intended audience or person the way we hoped? Effective communication requires us to be clear and complete in what we are trying to express.

Being an effective communicator in our professional and personal lives involves learning the skills to exchange information with clarity, empathy, and understanding. In this article, we’ll define what effective communication looks like, discuss its benefits, and offer ways to improve your communication skills.

What is effective communication?

Effective communication is the process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data so that the message is received and understood with clarity and purpose. When we communicate effectively, both the sender and receiver feel satisfied.

Communication occurs in many forms, including verbal and non-verbal, written, visual, and listening. It can occur in person, on the internet (on forums, social media, and websites), over the phone (through apps, calls, and video), or by mail.

For communication to be effective, it must be clear , correct , complete , concise , and compassionate . We consider these to be the 5 Cs of communication, though they may vary depending on who you’re asking. 

While the effectiveness of communication can be difficult to measure, its impact is hard to deny. According to one study, surveyed companies in the United States and United Kingdom with at least 100,000 employees lost $62.4 million per year on average due to poor communication. On the flip side, companies led by effective communicators had nearly 50 percent higher total returns to shareholders over companies with less effective communicators at the helm [ 1 ].

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Benefits of effective communication

The benefits of communication effectiveness can be witnessed in the workplace, in an educational setting, and in your personal life. Learning how to communicate well can be a boon in each of these areas.

In the workplace, effective communication can help you: 

Manage employees and build teams

Grow your organization more rapidly and retain employees

Benefit from enhanced creativity and innovation

Become a better public speaker

Build strong relationships and attract more opportunities for you or your organization

Read more: Why Is Workplace Communication Important? + How to Improve It

In your personal life, effective communication can lead to:

Improved social, emotional, and mental health

Deeper connections with people you care about

New bonds based on trust and transparency

Better problem–solving and conflict resolution skills

Say it with your body

In face-to-face conversation, body language plays an important role. Communication is 55 percent non-verbal, 38 percent vocal (tone and inflection), and 7 percent words, according to Albert Mehrabian, a researcher who pioneered studies on body language [ 2 ]. Up to 93 percent of communication, then, does not involve what you are actually saying. 

Positive body language is open—your posture is upright and receptive, your palms are open, you lean in when speaking or listening, and nod encouragingly. Negative body language can include biting your lip nervously, looking bored, crossing your arms, putting your hands on your hips, or tapping your foot impatiently.

How to improve your communication skills

Communication, like any other skill, is one you can improve upon with practice. Here are a few ways to start improving your communication skills, whether at home or on the job.

1. Consider your audience.

Who are you communicating with? Make sure you are aware of your audience—those you intend to communicate with may differ from those who actually receive your messages. Knowing your audience can be key to delivering the right messages effectively. Their age, race, ethnicity, gender, marital status, income, education level, subject knowledge, and professional experience can all affect how they’ll receive your message. 

If you’re advertising a fast food restaurant, for example, you might want to deliver your message to an audience that’s likely to be hungry. This could be a billboard on the side of a busy highway that shows a giant cheeseburger and informs drivers that the closest location is just two miles away. 

Or suppose you’re announcing your engagement to your family. You might host a gathering afterwards to celebrate, send them photos of the engagement in a group chat, surprise them in conversation over dinner, or tag your family members in your announcement on social media. Your chosen form of communication will depend on your family dynamics.

2. Practice active listening.

Active listening is the practice of giving your full attention in a communication exchange. 

Some techniques include paying attention to body language, giving encouraging verbal cues, asking questions, and practicing non-judgment. Before executing your communication, be sure to consider your audience and practice active listening to get to the heart of their needs and desires. This way, you can improve your communication as a counselor, social worker, marketer, professor, colleague, or friend. 

Here are some examples of active listening in practice:

If you work in marketing, you might engage in social listening to gather consumer data on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. 

If you are a professor, you might take advantage of end-of-semester feedback forms and act on your students' needs by hosting one-on-one meetings during office hours. Likewise, your students might choose to participate in discussions after your lecture or at least sit attentively and ask questions.

If you are a team leader, you might read Slack messages from your teammates, gauge that they are frustrated with the workload, and respond by resetting priorities for the next few weeks. This communicates to the team that their voices are heard.

If you are a parent, you might have a disagreement with your child about finishing their homework, but if you probe deeper with open communication, they may confess that their teacher made a discouraging comment that left them unmotivated.

Read more: What Is Active Listening and How Can You Improve This Key Skill?

3. Make your message as clear as possible.

Once you have successfully identified your audience and listened to their intentions, needs, and desires, you may have something to communicate. To do this effectively, turn to the 5 Cs of communication to ensure your message is:

Compassionate

Prepare to communicate in a way that achieves most of these characteristics.

4. Use the right medium or platform.

Using the right medium or platform to communicate matters. Effective communication requires you to consider whether you need to meet in person or if Zoom would suffice. Is your message casual enough to use WhatsApp, or would a formal email be more efficient and thorough? If you are catching up with a friend, do you two prefer to talk on the phone or via old-fashioned letters? Whatever you choose should be intuitive and appropriate for you and your current situation.

You might assess the priority level and the type of communication needed. In a marketing campaign, is there a visual component on Instagram or is it a spoken podcast ad? Will the platform be a Facebook post, product placement in a film, or a printed poster hung in cafes? For a university lecture, do students prefer to be online or meet in person? Will there be a discussion afterward, and would it be fruitful to conduct it in a pub, cafe, or in a field outdoors? 

By considering your audience, practicing active listening, clarifying your communication, and choosing the right medium or environment, you are well on your way to exercising communication effectiveness.

Effective communication starts here

Start building better communication with Improving your Communication Skills from the University of Pennsylvania, Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills from the University of Michigan, or Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation from the University of Colorado Boulder. 

Article sources

PRovoke Media. " The Cost Of Poor Communications , https://www.provokemedia.com/latest/article/the-cost-of-poor-communications." Accessed January 17, 2024.

The University of Texas Permian Basin. " How Much of Communication Is Nonverbal? , https://online.utpb.edu/about-us/articles/communication/how-much-of-communication-is-nonverbal/." Accessed January 17, 2024.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

• Relationships

Why Communication Matters

We communicate to create, maintain, and change relationships and selves..

Posted July 15, 2021 | Reviewed by Vanessa Lancaster

• Why Relationships Matter
• Find a therapist to strengthen relationships
• How we communicate helps relationships get off on the right foot, navigate problems, and change over time.
• In communication, we develop, create, maintain, and alter our relationships.
• We communicate to work our way through family changes and challenges in verbal and non-verbal ways.

I remember seeing a poster on my junior high classroom wall: “Communication is the Beginning of Understanding.” This spoke to me at the time. Yet, like so many people, I had never really thought much about communication. I would have described communication as sending and receiving messages.

Communication Is More Than Sending and Receiving Messages

In reality, communication is often about transmitting information. We send and receive messages with people in our lives. Daily, much of our communication consists of coordinating schedules, “What time are you getting home for dinner?” and negotiating whose turn it is to do the dishes, pay the bills, or take dinner to a friend who is ill. We send messages like, “It is your turn to let the dog out” and receive messages like, “Don’t forget to get dog food at the store” (if you have not guessed, a lot of the messages in my house are about the dog).

We might also blame problems on communication, talking about “communication breakdowns” or on a “lack of communication.” If we think about communication in these ways, we have missed so much that is important about communication. We have neglected how and why communication matters.

Communication Matters to Creating and Changing Relationships

We become aware of how Communication Matters when

• We confront issues with work-life balance.
• We experience positive events like the birth of a baby or winning an award.
• We have a friend does who does not do or say what we expect.
• We have disagreements over religious beliefs or political values.

Both positive and challenging events affect, reflect, and change our identity and the identity of our personal and family relationships. What do I mean by this? How did these relationships come into being? Well, think about the last time you started a new friendship or had a new member join your family. Through what you and the other person said and did, what we’d call verbal and nonverbal communication , these relationships took shape.

Sometimes relationships develop easily and clearly. They are healthy and pleasant. Other times, relationships develop in stress and storm and may be healthy or not. How we communicate helps relationships get off on the right foot, navigate problems, and change over time.

What is important to understand is that relationships are talked into (and out of) being. In communication, we develop, create, maintain, and alter our relationships. As we communicate, we become and change who we are. Think about how you have grown and changed as you communicate at home, at work, with friends, and in your community.

Communication Matters to Relationship and Family Identity

As we communicate, we co-create relationships and our own identity. As you think about your close relationships and your family, you can likely recall important events, both positive and negative, that impacted how you understand your relationship and yourself as a person.

Consider this example: one of my college students described a childhood family ritual of going out on the front lawn on Christmas Eve. The family sang Christmas carols and threw carrots on the roof for Santa’s reindeers. The family still does this annual carrot-throwing ritual in adulthood. You can picture them bringing their sometimes confused new partners and spouses out in the snow to throw carrots onto the roof and sing.

Why does this family still throw carrots and sing? Through this seemingly silly ritual, the family celebrates who they are as a family and the togetherness that is important to them. The family creates space for new people to join the family. Through their words and actions, members of the family teach their new partners how to be family members through carrot throwing and other vital experiences.

I am sure you can point to experiences that have been central to creating your relationships and your identity.

Communication Matters as We Face Change and Challenges

We also communicate to work our way through family changes and challenges. Family members or others may have different expectations of what our family and personal identity or should be. This is especially true when a family does not fit dominant cultural models, such as single-parent families, multi-ethnic families, stepfamilies, LGBTQ families, or adoptive families.

For me, becoming a stepfamily was highly challenging. We became a stepfamily when I was 12 years old. My mother had recently died, and my Dad surprised us, kids, introducing us to the woman he wanted to marry. We no longer matched the other families in the neighborhood where we’d lived most of our lives. We certainly did not feel like a family overnight.

It took my stepfamily several years to create an understanding of what it meant to be a family. As we interacted, and with many mistakes and some successes, we slowly came to understand what we needed and expected from each other to be a family.

For all of us, relationship and family identity is constantly developing and changing. In my case, I remember my stepmom reminding me to wear a jacket when going out in the evening, even into my 40s, and giving me advice about my health. At some point, our roles changed, and now, as she moves toward her 80s, more often than not, I am in the role of asking about her health and helping her with significant decisions. What it means to be a mother or daughter and what we expect of each other and ourselves change as we interact.

Communication Matters . Whether we are negotiating whose turn it is to feed the dog, how to become a parent, how to interact with a difficult co-worker, or how to celebrate with a friend who won a major award, it is in communication that we learn what to do and say. This is what I will write about in this blog as I reflect on what I have learned as a professor and researcher of interpersonal and family communication. I invite you to go on this journey with me. I hope to give you insights into your communication.

Communication Matters. Communication is the Beginning of Understanding . It is an exciting and ever-changing journey.

Baxter, L. A. (2004). Relationships as dialogues. Personal Relationships, 11 , 1-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2004.00068.x

Braithwaite, D. O., Foster, E. A., & Bergen, K. M. (2018). Social construction theory: Communication co-creating families. In D. O. Braithwaite, E. A. Suter, & K. Floyd. (Eds.). Engaging theories in family communication: Multiple perspectives (2nd ed., pp. 267-278). Routledge.

Braithwaite, D. O., Waldron, V. R., Allen, J., Bergquist, G., Marsh, J., Oliver, B., Storck, K., Swords, N., & Tschampl-Diesing, C. (2018). “Feeling warmth and close to her”: Communication and resilience reflected in turning points in positive adult stepchild-stepparent relationships. Journal of Family Communication, 18 , 92-109. doi: 10.1080/15267431.2017.1415902

Dawn O. Braithwaite, Ph.D., a professor of communication at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studies families and close relationships, especially step- and chosen families.

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5.1: The Importance of Audience Analysis

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The Benefits of Understanding Your Audience

The more you know and understand about the background and needs of your audience, the better you can prepare your speech.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Explain why it is important to understand your audience prior to delivering a speech

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Knowing your audience —their general age, gender, education level, religion, language, culture, and group membership—is the single most important aspect of developing your speech.

• Analyzing your audience will help you discover information that you can use to build common ground between you and the members of your audience.
• A key characteristic in public speaking situations is the unequal distribution of speaking time between the speaker and the audience. This means that the speaker talks more and the audience listens, often without asking questions or responding with any feedback.
• audience : One or more people within hearing range of some message; for example, a group of people listening to a performance or speech; the crowd attending a stage performance.
• audience analysis : A study of the pertinent elements defining the makeup and characteristics of an  audience.
• Audience-centered : Tailored to an audience. When preparing a message, the speaker analyzes the audience in order to adapt the content and language usage to the level of the listeners.

Benefits of Understanding Audiences

When you are speaking, you want listeners to understand and respond favorably to what you are saying. An audience is one or more people who come together to listen to the speaker. Audience members may be face to face with the speaker or they may be connected by communication technology such as computers or other media. The audience may be small and private or it may be large and public. A key characteristic of public speaking situations is the unequal distribution of speaking time between speaker and audience. As an example, the speaker usually talks more while the audience listens, often without asking questions or responding with any feedback. In some situations, the audience may ask questions or respond overtly by clapping or making comments.

Audience-Centered Approach to Speaking

Since there is usually limited communication between the speaker and the audience, there is limited opportunity to go back to explain your meaning either during the speech or afterward. When planning a speech, it is important to know about the audience and to adapt the message to the audience. You want to prepare an audience-centered speech, a speech with a focus on the audience.

In public speaking, you are speaking to and for your audience; thus, understanding the audience is a major part of the speech-making process. In audience-centered speaking, getting to know your target audience is one of the most important tasks that you face. You want to learn about the major demographics of the audience, such as general age, gender, education, religion, and culture, as well as to what groups the audience members belong. Additionally, learning about the values, attitudes, and beliefs of the members of your audience will allow you to anticipate and plan your message.

Finding Common Ground by Taking Perspective

You want to analyze your audience prior to your speech so that during the speech you can create a link between you, the speaker, and the audience. You want to be able to figuratively step inside the minds of audience members to understand the world from their perspectives. Through this process, you can find common ground with your audience, which allows you to align your message with what the audience already knows or believes.

Gathering and Interpreting Information

Audience analysis involves gathering and interpreting information about the recipients of oral, written, or visual communication. There are very simple methods for conducting an audience analysis, such as interviewing a small group about its knowledge or attitudes or using more involved methods of analyzing demographic studies of relevant segments of the population. You may also find it useful to look at sociological studies of different age groups or cultural groups. You might also use a questionnaire or rating scale to collect data about the basic demographic information and opinions of your target audience. These examples do not form an all-inclusive list of methods to analyze your audience, but they can help you obtain a general understanding of how you can learn about your audience. After considering all the known factors, a profile of the intended audience can be created, allowing you to speak in a manner that is understood by the intended audience.

Practical Benefits for the Speaker

Understanding who makes up your target audience will allow you to carefully plan your message and adapt what you say to the level of understanding and background of the listeners. Two practical benefits of conducting an audience analysis are (1) to prevent you from saying the wrong thing, such as telling a joke which offends, and (2) to help you speak to your audience in a language they understand about things that interest them. Your speech will be more successful if you can create a message that informs and engages your audience.

What to Look For

Analyze the audience to find the mix of ages, genders, sexual orientations, educational levels, religions, cultures, ethnicities, and races.

Examine your audience based on demographics

• A speaker should look at his or her own values, beliefs, attitudes, and biases that may influence his or her perception of others.
• Guard against egocentrism. A speaker must not regard his or her own opinions or interests as being the most important or valid.
• Look at others to understand their background, attitudes, and beliefs.
• Focus on audience demographics such as age, gender, sexual orientation, education, religion, and other relevant population characteristics to analyze the audience.
• The depth of the audience analysis depends of the size of the intended audience and the method of delivery.
• egocentrism : Preoccupation with one’s own internal world; the belief that one’s own opinions or interests are the most important or valid.
• demographics : The characteristics of population such as age, gender, sexual orientation, occupation, education; classification of the characteristics of the people.

Look Inward to Uncover Blinders

A public speaker should turn her mental magnifying glass inward to examine the values, beliefs, attitudes, and biases that may influence her perception of others. The speaker should use this mental picture to look at the audience and view the world from the audience’s perspective. By looking at the audience, the speaker understands their reality.

When the speaker views the audience only through her mental perception, she is likely to engage in egocentrism. Egocentrism is characterized by the preoccupation with one’s own internal world. Egocentrics regard themselves and their own opinions or interests as being the most important or valid. Egocentric people are unable to fully understand or cope with other people’s opinions and a reality that is different from what they are ready to accept.

Understanding Audience Background, Attitudes, and Beliefs

Public speakers must look at who their audience is, their background, attitudes, and beliefs. The speaker should attempt to reach the most accurate and effective analysis of her audience within a reasonable amount of time. For example, speakers can assess the demographics of her audience. Demographics are detailed accounts of human population characteristics and usually rendered as statistical population segments.

For an analysis of audience demographics for a speech, focus on the same characteristics studied in sociology. Audiences and populations comprise groups of people represented by different age groups that:

• Are of the same or mixed genders
• Have experienced the same events
• Have the same or different sexual orientation
• Have different educational attainment
• Participate in different religions
• Represent different cultures, ethnicities, or races

Speakers assess the audience’s attitude – a positive or negative evaluation of people, objects, event, activities, or ideas – toward a specific topic or purpose. The attitudes of the audience may vary from extremely negative to extremely positive, or completely ambivalent. By examining the preexisting beliefs of the audience regarding the speech’s general topic or particular purpose, speakers have the ability to persuade the audience members to buy into the speaker’s argument. This can also help with speech preparation.

Tips for the Speaker

The depth of the audience analysis depends of the size of the intended audience and method of delivery. Speakers use different methods to become familiar with the background, attitudes, and beliefs of audiences in different environments and using various mediums (e.g., videoconferencing, phone, etc). For a small audience, the speaker can simply speak with them in a physical environment. However, the speaker is addressing a larger audience or speaking via teleconferencing or webcasting tools, it may be useful to collect data via surveys or questionnaires.

What to Do with Your Knowledge

Use knowledge about your audience to step into their minds, create an imaginary scenario, and test your ideas.

Identify with your audience by adopting their perspective

• A successful speaker is able to step outside her own perceptual framework to understand the world as it is perceived by members of her audience.
• The speaker engages in a process of first encoding his or her ideas from thoughts into words, then forming a message to be delivered to a group of listeners, or audience. The audience members attempt to decode what the speaker is saying so that they can understand it.
• The better the speaker knows the members of the audience beforehand, the better the speaker can encode a message in a way that the audience can decode successfully.
• One of the most useful strategies for adapting your topic and message to your audience is to use the process of identification to find common ground with them.
• You can use your analysis to create a theoretical, imagined audience of individuals from the diverse backgrounds you have discovered in your audience analysis. Then you can decide whether or not the content will appeal to individuals within that audience.
• encode : to turn one’s ideas into spoken language in order to transmit them to listeners
• message : the verbal and nonverbal components of language, sent to the receiver by the sender, that convey an idea
• Decode : to translate the sender’s spoken idea/message into something the receiver understands by using his or her knowledge of language based on personal experience

Identifying with the listeners

Step in to the minds of your listeners and see if you can identify with them. A successful speaker engages in perspective-taking. While preparing her speech, the speaker steps outside her own perceptual framework to understand the world as it is perceived by members of the audience. When the speaker takes an audience-centered approach to speech preparation, she focuses on the audience and how it will respond to what is being said. In essence, the speaker wants to mentally adopt the perspective of members of the audience in order to see the world as the audience members see it.

Encoding and Decoding

The speaker engages a process of encoding his or her ideas from thoughts into words, and of forming a message which is then delivered to an audience. The audience members then attempt to decode what the speaker is saying so that they can understand it. To better imagine this process, consider the example of encoding and decoding as it applies to the idea of a tree. I know that my audience is in New England and that they are familiar with oak trees. I use the word  tree  to encode my idea, and because my audience has experienced similar trees, they decode the word  tree  in the way that I intended. However, I may be thinking about a tree (a palm tree) that is in Hawaii, where I used to live, when I use the word  tree  to encode my idea. Unfortunately, when my audience decodes my word now, they are still thinking about the oak tree and will not see my palm tree. The audience no longer shares my perspective of the world or my experience with trees.

Finding Common Ground

The more you find out about your audience, the more you can adapt your message to the interests, values, beliefs, and language level of the audience. Once you collect data about your audience, you are ready to summarize your findings and select the language and structure that is best suited to your particular audience. You are on a journey to find common ground in order to identify with your audience. One of the most useful strategies for adapting your topic and message to your audience is to use the process of identification. What do you and your audience have in common? And, conversely, how are you different? What ideas or examples in your speech can your audience identify with?

Creating a Theoretical, Imagined Audience

Create a theoretical, imagined situation to test your view of an audience for practice. You can use your analysis to create what is called a “theoretical, universal audience. ” The universal audience is an imagined audience that serves as a test for the speaker. Imagine in your mind a composite audience that contains individuals from the diverse backgrounds you have discovered in your audience analysis. Next, decide whether or not the content of your speech would appeal to individuals within that audience. What words or examples will the audience understand and what will they not understand? What terms about your subject will you need to define or explain for this audience? How different are the values and opinions you want your audience to accept from the present attitudes and beliefs they may hold?

In summary, use your knowledge of the audience to adapt your speech accordingly. Adopt the perspective of the audience in order to identify with them, and test out your ideas with an imagined audience composed of people with the background you have discovered through your research.

Nonverbal Communication Skills: 19 Theories & Findings

In it, he introduces the concept of dramaturgy, which compares everyday social interactions to actors’ portrayals of characters, suggesting that one’s social interactions are analogous to a string of varying performances (Ritzer, 2021).

Goffman’s work also included the concept of impression management. The key to impression management includes appearance; your manner of interacting; and the attitudes conveyed through gestures, facial expressions, and nonverbal skills (Ritzer, 2021).

William Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage.”

I’m not a trained actor, but teaching public speaking courses has made me aware that audiences seem to prefer speakers who use a variety of hand gestures. These gestures signify the speaker as “warm, agreeable, and energetic” (Goman, 2021).

Just that nugget of information has taught me to incorporate hand gestures to develop my public speaking skills.

What other nonverbal communication skills enhance daily interactions?

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Communication Exercises (PDF) for free . These science-based tools will help you and those you work with build better social skills and better connect with others.

This Article Contains:

What is nonverbal communication, 9 types of nonverbal communication skills, is nonverbal communication important, 2 psychology theories and models, 8 fascinating research findings, importance in counseling and healthcare, resources from positivepsychology.com, a take-home message.

Nonverbal communication is a way to convey information “achieved through facial expressions, gestures, touching (haptics), physical movements (kinesics), posture, body adornment (clothes, jewelry, hairstyle, tattoos, etc.), and even the tone, timbre, and volume of an individual’s voice (rather than spoken content)” (Navarro & Karlins, 2008, p. 2–4).

In this YouTube video, Joe Navarro explains several nonverbal communication cues, exposes some myths, and discusses his work with nonverbal communication in law enforcement.

Marco Iacoboni (2008, p. 81), author of Mirroring People , takes it a step further, stating that “gestures accompanying speech have a dual role of helping the speakers to express their thoughts and helping the listeners/viewers understand what is being said.”

To competently read body language, Navarro and Karlins (2008) provide suggestions such as rigorous observation and a familiarity with the person’s baseline behaviors. They also recommend watching for changes, or ‘tells.’

Navarro and Karlins (2008) advise becoming familiar with universal behaviors and contextualizing nonverbal cues. However, cultural norms could inhibit rigorous observation.

Characteristics of nonverbal communication

The United States is considered a low-context communication culture (MacLachlan, 2010). This means that much of the information in a message comes directly from words rather than through implication or body language.

This style of communication involves lots of verbal detail so as not to confuse listeners. Low-context cultures rely less on nonverbal communication, which can obscure or censor portions of the message.

Nonverbal communication is culturally determined, and it is largely unconscious. It indicates the speaker’s emotional state. When nonverbal cues conflict with the verbal message, it may convey confusion or deception (Navarro & Karlins, 2008).

Finally, nonverbal communication varies by gender and displays power differentials, information effective leaders can use to influence others (Hybels & Weaver, 2015; Henley, 1977).

Nonverbal communication of successful leaders

It’s essential for leaders to read body language, also known as decoding. Deciphering between engagement (e.g., nodding, tilting the head, open body postures) and disengagement (e.g., body tilting away, crossed arms and legs) can be the difference between success and failure (Goman, 2021).

Successful actors could be considered professional first-impression artists. Like actors, leaders often find themselves center stage; they must learn the art of creating first impressions.

Subjective awareness and the ability to express yourself nonverbally are known as encoding – crucial for positive first impressions. Advice from professional actors includes a maintaining a pleasant facial expression, good posture, pausing, breathing, relaxing, and avoiding hiding your hands (Shellenbarger, 2018).

This video , 8 Things Successful People Do to Look Confident , provides quick tips for confident body language even if you’re not feeling confident.

First impressions are said to be formed in less than seven seconds (Goman, 2021). In this short time, others formulate labels such as “powerful,” “submissive,” or “trustworthy.” Evolved leaders incorporate mindfulness to help.

Naz Beheshti (2018) states, “Evolved leaders… use nonverbal tools mindfully and deliberately to reinforce their message.” She goes on to say, “this lifts the value of your communication and your value as a leader” (Beheshti, 2018).

Awareness of self, others, and the situation (mindfulness) allows us to ensure that our gestures and body language align with our spoken words. This creates congruence and generates trustworthiness (Beheshti, 2018; Newberg & Waldman, 2013).

This means we are analyzing several, simultaneous nonverbal cues. A frustrated person may tap their foot, cross their arms, and tightly squeeze their biceps (Jones, 2013). These clusters may cross over and include a variety of nonverbal categories, summarized below.

1. Kinesics

Kinesics is the study of how we move our body, specifically the head, hands, body, and arms (Jones, 2013). This includes sending messages through facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, and posture.

Haptics is the study of touch or coming into physical contact with another person (Hybels & Weaver, 2015). Throughout history, touch has been surrounded by mystery and taboo. We are perplexed by healing touch and riveted by stories of infants who perished due to lack of touch. Touch can denote relationship, status, power, and personality (Henley, 1977).

Cultural norms dictate guidelines regarding touch. Mindfulness regarding social and environmental settings is prudent. We greet a friend at an informal party differently than we would greet a boss or coworker in a professional setting.

3. Proxemics

The study of space and distance is called proxemics, and it analyzes how people use the space around them (Hybels & Weaver, 2015).

This YouTube video is a fun demonstration of students completing a school project on personal space and the discomfort felt by both humans and animals when social norms are violated.

4. Territory

Territory is often used to display power or reveal a lack thereof.

“'[P]osture expansiveness,’ positioning oneself in a way that opens up the body and takes up space, activated a sense of power that produced behavioral changes in a subject independent of their actual rank or role in an organization” (Goman, 2021).

Expansiveness conveys power.

5. Environment

Environment includes objects we use to adorn ourselves and the artifacts we surround ourselves with in order to create an impression. These objects provide nonverbal cues that help others form impressions (Jones, 2013).

6. Paralinguistics

Paralinguistics, also known as vocalics, is the study of how we speak and involves pitch, volume, rate of speech, tone, quality, tempo, resonance, rhythm, and articulation to help determine the context of the message (Jones, 2013).

7. Chronemics

Chronemics is the study of time, including how it is used. Nancy Henley (1977, p. 43), author of Body Politics: Power, Sex & Nonverbal Communication , asserts “Time is far from a neutral philosophical/physical concept in our society: it is a political weapon.”

Henley (1977, p. 47) describes the concept of “ritual waiting,” stating, “The more important the person, the longer we will ungrudgingly wait for the service or honor of attention.”

8. Attractiveness

The power of drawing attention to oneself doesn’t rely on physical appeal alone. Although facial symmetry and fashion of adornment are important (Jones, 2013), people who master good eye contact, have a lively face, offer encouragement, and use open gestures are also considered attractive (Kuhnke, 2012).

9. Olfactics

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Nonverbal communication is very important, as you could reveal unintentional information, as well as cause your communication to be misinterpreted.

Leakage: Unintentional messages

Teaching social–emotional skills to incarcerated people provided me with a powerful lesson about the nuances of nonverbal communication. On a particularly challenging day, I thought it wise to meditate and center myself prior to entering the jail. However, upon seeing me, the people inside began inquiring what was going on with me. What did they detect?

Nonverbal leakage can be shown through micro-expressions, which are “very fast facial movements lasting 1/25 to 1/5 of a second” and indicate a person’s real feelings (Ekman, 2003, p. 214).

This YouTube video is the opening scene of the series Lie to Me , based on the work of Paul Ekman regarding micro-expressions.

Varying statistics on the value of nonverbal communication may cause concern for those less practiced, but which statistics are accurate?

Crossed messages

The original research from Mehrabian and Ferris (1967) regarding nonverbal communication is widely interpreted. Elizabeth Kuhnke (2012, p. 10), author of Body Language for Dummies , interprets the study, saying, “55% of the emotional message in face-to-face communication results from body language.”

A nonverbal communication formula often cited is 7–38–55, which indicates 7% of the message comes from words, 38% vocal, and 55% facial. However, Lapakko (2007) believes this formula is reckless, faulty, and misleading. Sometimes the nonverbal elements of a message, such as gestures with directions, are incredibly important, and at other times incidental.

In addition, what something “means” in communication is connected to such variables as culture, history of the relationship, people’s intentions, personal experiences, time of day and specific words used. It would be naive to suggest all these nuances could be neatly quantified, and therefore attributing a precise formula to nonverbal communication is flawed in many ways.

So regardless of statistics and formulas, we know that nonverbal communication is essential and that people skilled at both reading and interpreting body language tend to enjoy greater success in life than those not skilled (Goleman, 1997).

Basic emotion theory

Basic emotion theory (BET) posits that emotions are a “grammar of social living” that situate us in the social and moral order of society (Keltner, Sauter, Tracy, & Cowen, 2019, p. 133). In addition, emotions structure interactions, particularly in relationships that matter. BET is integral to emotional expression.

Foundational to BET is the assumption that emotional expressions coordinate social interactions in three ways:

• Through rapid conveyance of important information to aid in decision making
• To evoke specific responses
• To serve as incentives for others’ actions

This is accomplished through reward systems such as parents smiling and caressing a child who exhibits specific behaviors (Keltner et al., 2019).

BET initially focused on six basic emotions. Literature reveals there are over 20 emotions with distinct, multimodal expressions, providing a deeper structure and highlighting the advancing nature of emotional expression (Keltner et al., 2019).

Neural resonance

Two people who like each other will mirror each other’s facial expressions, gestures, postures, vocalics, and movements. This is known as neural resonance, and it aids the accurate transfer of information from one person to another (Newberg & Waldman, 2013).

To fully understand what another is saying, “you have to listen to and observe the other person as deeply and fully as possible” (Newberg & Waldman, 2013, p. 81). Neural resonance uses mirror neurons to create cooperation, empathy, and trust.

Studying nonverbal communication is revealing and intriguing. Most experts will include aspects such as eyes, facial expressions, and hands, but digging deeper reveals less-acknowledged nonverbal nuggets.

1. The benefits of yawning

Yawning is one of the fastest and simplest ways to lower mental stress and anxiety (Waldman & Manning, 2017). Social norms dictate that we refrain from yawning in specific settings, but yawning has many benefits. Did you know that snipers are taught to yawn before pulling the trigger (Waldman & Manning, 2017)?

According to Waldman and Manning (2017), yawning stimulates alertness and concentration; optimizes brain activity and metabolism; improves cognitive functioning; increases recall, consciousness, and introspection; decreases stress and relaxes the upper body; recalibrates a sense of timing; enhances social awareness and empathy; and increases sensuality and pleasure.

2. Feet don’t lie

According to Navarro and Karlins (2008), the most honest part of our body is our feet, as demonstrated by small children who dance with happiness or stomp in frustration. Many people look to the face for truth; Navarro and Karlins take the opposite approach:

“When it comes to honesty, truthfulness decreases as we move from the feet to the head” (Navarro & Karlins, 2008, p. 56), reasoning that emotions are suppressed through fabricated facial expression.

3. Gestures that help

Gestures improve memory and comprehension skills. Gestures may convey information that can influence how listeners respond, depending on the hand being used. “We tend to express positive ideas with our dominant hand and negative ideas with the other hand” (Newberg & Waldman, 2013, p. 44).

4. The eyes have it

“Social network circuits are stimulated through face-to-face eye contact, decreasing cortisol, and increasing oxytocin. The result is increased empathy, social cooperation, and positive communication” (Newberg & Waldman, 2013, p. 135).

Eyes reveal a lot about us. When we are aroused, troubled, concerned, or nervous, our blink rate increases. Once we relax, our blink rate returns to normal (Navarro & Karlins, 2008).

5. Power posing for success

Body language affects how others see us and how we view ourselves. In this YouTube video, Amy Cuddy discusses her research on power posing and how it affects success.

Amy Cuddy’s book is also discussed in our article listing books on imposter syndrome .

6. Fingers crossed

One explanation of the origin of crossing fingers for good luck comes from early beliefs in the power of the cross. The intersection of the digits, epitomizing the cross, was thought to denote a concentration of good spirits and served to anchor a wish until it came true (Keyser, 2014).

7. Fake positivity is harmful

Positivity that doesn’t register in your body or heart can be harmful. According to Barbara Fredrickson (2009, p. 180), “fake smiles, just like sneers of anger, predict heart wall collapse.” To truly benefit from a smile, touch, or embrace, you need to slow down and make it heartfelt.

8. Stand up straight

Poor posture can reduce oxygen intake by 30%, resulting in less energy (Gordon, 2003). Stooping over can make us look and feel old and out of touch. By straightening up, we can make significant differences in how we think and feel. The effect is bi-directional; attitude influences posture, just as posture influences attitude.

Good rapport between clients and practitioners stems from mirroring and synchronicity associated with neural resonance (Finset & Piccolo, 2011; Newberg & Waldman, 2013).

Carl Rogers’s Client-Centered Therapy is based on an empathetic understanding of clients. Nonverbal communication provides valuable information for both the client and the therapist. Showing you like and accept a client may be the most important information a therapist can convey (Finset & Piccolo, 2011).

Nonverbal patterns in therapy evolve over time. Specific behaviors that further the therapeutic process include “a moderate amount of head nodding and smiling; frequent, but not staring, eye contact; active, but not extreme, facial responsiveness; and a warm, relaxed, interested vocal tone” (Finset & Piccolo, 2011, p. 122).

Conscious awareness of nonverbal cues can aid in rapport building. Leaning toward the other signals comfort, whereas leaning away or crossing your arms signals discomfort (Navarro & Karlins, 2008).

Torsos and shoulder blades seem innocuous; however, blading away (turning slightly) from another person shows discomfort, while blading toward or facing another squarely shows a level of comfort (Navarro & Karlins, 2008).

Open palms are an ancient sign of trustworthiness that help establish rapport and are considered nonthreatening (Kuhnke, 2012). Hidden hands (placed in pockets or behind backs) signal disconnection and reluctance to engage. To display respect, keep an open posture with your muscles relaxed and weight evenly distributed.

Mirroring and matching go a long way to show synchronicity. Be careful to avoid mimicry, which signals disrespect (Kuhnke, 2012). Too much of a good thing can jeopardize credibility. An extended, fixed gaze into another’s eyes or effortful smiling can seem awkward, or worse.

This short YouTube video explains the dynamics of fluctuating facial expressions, based on the work of Charles Darwin and Paul Ekman.

This Silent Connections worksheet is an exercise for groups that combines mindfulness and nonverbal communication to build connections.

Someone who lacks the ability to make eye contact during conversation can be easily misinterpreted. To overcome this nonverbal communication issue, our Strategies for Maintaining Eye Contact can be very useful.

Our blog post 49 Communication Activities, Exercises, and Games includes six nonverbal communication activities for adults and three nonverbal exercises that work for families and children.

The blog post What Is Assertive Communication? 10 Real-Life Examples includes nonverbal qualities that complement and enhance assertive statements. Hints for eye contact, facial expressions, and posture can be found throughout.

In the blog post Cultivating Social Intelligence : 3 Ways to Understand Others , we discuss characteristics of social intelligence, including body language.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others communicate better, this collection contains 17 validated positive communication tools for practitioners. Use them to help others improve their communication skills and form deeper and more positive relationships.

World’s Largest Positive Psychology Resource

The Positive Psychology Toolkit© is a groundbreaking practitioner resource containing over 500 science-based exercises , activities, interventions, questionnaires, and assessments created by experts using the latest positive psychology research.

Updated monthly. 100% Science-based.

“The best positive psychology resource out there!” — Emiliya Zhivotovskaya , Flourishing Center CEO

Nonverbal communication is an essential communication skill. Nonverbal expertise aids in delivering clear messages and forming positive impressions. It doesn’t have to be a big gesture to make a difference. Gently stroking the hand of a grieving friend speaks volumes.

Viewing life as a series of dramatic performances, as implied by both Shakespeare and Goffman, can add a sense of intrigue and adventure to enhancing nonverbal communication. These essential skills will help us achieve goals.

Just as the highly motivated thespian will study and polish their craft, anyone wanting to succeed in their career or interpersonal relationships can study and practice the nuances of nonverbal communication.

Actors and public speakers often practice their craft in front of a mirror or videotape themselves to reflect on strengths and weaknesses.

This article includes a myriad of resources to help improve nonverbal communication skills with many additional resources available.

By starting with something as simple as posture, we exit stage right, headed toward the competency of center stage. Break a leg!

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Communication Exercises (PDF) for free .

• Beheshti, N. (2018, September 20). The power of mindful nonverbal communication. Forbes . Retrieved April 26, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/nazbeheshti/2018/09/20/beyond-language-the-power-of-mindful-nonverbal-communication/?sh=6f40b3d71501
• Ekman, P. (2003). Emotions revealed: Recognizing faces and feelings to improve communication and emotional life . Holt Paperbacks.
• Finset, A., & Piccolo, L. D. (2011). Nonverbal communication in clinical contexts. In M. Rimondini (Ed.), Communication in cognitive-behavioral therapy (pp. 107–128).  Springer Science + Business Media.
• Fredrickson, B. L. (2009). Positivity . Crown Publishing Group.
• Goffman, E. (1956). The presentation of self in everyday life . University of Edinburgh.
• Goleman, D. (1997). Emotional intelligence . Bantam Trade Paperback.
• Goman, C. K. (2018, August 26). 5 Ways body language impacts leadership results. Forbes. Retrieved May 1, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolkinseygoman/2018/08/26/5-ways-body-language-impacts-leadership-results/?sh=5c1b235c536a
• Gordon, J. (2003). Energy addict: 101 Physical, mental, & spiritual ways to energize your life . Berkley Publishing Group.
• Henley, N. M. (1977). Body politics: Power, sex and nonverbal communication . Simon & Schuster.
• Hybels, S., & Weaver, R. L. (2015). Communicating effectively . McGraw-Hill Education.
• Iacoboni, M. (2008). Mirroring people: The new science of how we connect with others . Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Jones, R. (2013). Communication in the real world: An introduction to communication studies . University of Minnesota Libraries.
• Keltner, D., Sauter, D., Tracy, J., & Cowen, A. (2019). Emotional expression: Advances in basic emotion theory. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior , 43 (3), 133–160.
• Keyser, H. (2014, March 21). Why do we cross our fingers for good luck? Mental Floss . Retrieved May 27, 2021, from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/55702/why-do-we-cross-our-fingers-good-luck
• Kuhnke, E. (2012). Body language for dummies . John Wiley & Sons.
• Lapakko, D. (2007). Communication is 93% nonverbal: An urban legend proliferates. Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal , 34 (2), 7–19.
• MacLachlan, M. (2010, February 12). Cross-cultural communication styles: High and low context. Communicaid. Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.communicaid.com/cross-cultural-training/blog/high-and-low-context/
• Mehrabian, A., & Ferris, S. R. (1967). Inference of attitudes from nonverbal communication in two channels.  Journal of Consulting Psychology, 31 (3), 248–252.
• Navarro, J., & Karlins, M. P. (2008). What every body is saying . Harper-Collins.
• Newberg, A. M., & Waldman, M. R. (2013). Words can change your brain . Avery.
• Ritzer, G. (2021). Essentials of sociology (4th ed.). SAGE.
• Shellenbarger, S. (2018, January 30). The mistakes you make in a meeting’s first milliseconds. Wall Street Journal . Retrieved May 22, 2021, from https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-mistakes-you-make-in-a-meetings-first-milliseconds-1517322312
• Waldman, M. R., & Manning, C. P. (2017). NeuroWisdom: The new brain science of money, happiness, and success . Diversion Books.

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• Importance of Business Communication

May 29, 2024 | Business programs , News

Business communication involves sharing information within and outside an organization to facilitate operations and achieve goals. It includes verbal, written, and non-verbal exchanges among employees, teams, and shareholders.

Communication is crucial for decision-making, rapport, customer service, and innovation. It’s essential for organizational success and adaptability in the business space.

Table of Contents

What Is Business Communication?

As you know, communication is key—and businesses revolve around great communication. Effective business communication includes internal correspondence between employees, departments, stakeholders, and more.

Communication methods like meetings, calls, emails, and even body language can all play an important role in the way your business operates. After all, great communication is what separates a mediocre business interaction from a notable one. Plus, many problems can be solved simply by communicating better.

Types of Business Communication

Verbal communication.

Spoken words speak volumes. Verbal communication is extremely helpful in various settings, including face-to-face meetings, phone conversations, video conferences, presentations, and team discussions. It allows for immediate feedback, clarification, and the expression of emotions and tone, which can enhance understanding and build rapport among participants.

Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication refers to gestures, body language, facial expressions, eye contact, posture, and other nonverbal cues that convey meaning without the use of words. It often complements verbal communication and can provide additional context or emphasis to the message you’re trying to convey.

Paying attention to nonverbal cues is important to gauge the emotions, attitudes, and intentions of others in business interactions.

Visual Communication

This type of business communication relies on things like charts, graphs, diagrams, infographics, presentations, photographs, and videos to get points across. It is particularly useful for presenting complex data clearly and concisely, enhancing audience engagement, and simplifying the understanding of complex concepts.

Visual communication appeals to different learning styles and can be a powerful tool for storytelling and persuasion in business contexts.

Written Communication

The written word can be just as powerful as verbal communication. Written communication refers to information conveyed through emails, memos, reports, letters, manuals, proposals, and contracts. It provides a permanent record of communication that can be referenced later and serves as a formal means of documenting agreements, decisions, and policies within an organization.

Effective written communication requires clarity, conciseness, proper grammar and punctuation, and consideration of the participant’s needs and preferences.

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Why Is Business Communication Important In the Workplace?

The best communication always strikes the right chord. Business communication offers numerous benefits that contribute to the success and growth of organizations. Here’s a detailed look at some of these advantages:

• Communication Reinforces Brand Messaging Clear and consistent communication helps reinforce the organization’s brand messaging across all channels, ensuring that internal and external stakeholders understand and resonate with the brand identity, values, and goals.
• Boosts Creativity and Innovation Everyone appreciates open and transparent communication, especially your employees and stakeholders. Being transparent fosters an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas, feedback, and perspectives.
• Mitigates Conflict Effective communication helps prevent misunderstandings, clarify expectations, and address issues, reducing the likelihood of conflicts. Even though we try to avoid conflicts, they’re bound to happen from time to time. When a conflict arises, clear communication is the way to go.
• Increases Employee Engagement Engaged employees feel valued, informed, and connected to the organization’s mission and vision. Through regular communication, employees are kept informed about company news, updates, and goals, leading to higher levels of engagement, motivation, and commitment to their work.
• Improves Productivity Clear communication ensures that tasks, roles, and responsibilities are clearly defined, minimizing confusion and inefficiencies. When employees understand what is expected of them and have access to the information and resources they need, they can perform their jobs more effectively, resulting in increased productivity and performance.
• Improves Client Relations Effective communication with clients and customers builds trust, loyalty, and satisfaction. By listening to their needs, addressing concerns, and providing timely updates and support, organizations can strengthen relationships with clients and enhance their reputation in the marketplace.
• Improves Customer Service Clear and responsive communication is essential for delivering excellent customer service. By communicating effectively with customers, addressing their inquiries or issues promptly, and providing helpful guidance and assistance, organizations can exceed customer expectations and build long-lasting relationships.
• Meets Goals and Earns Success: Effective communication aligns individuals and teams with the organization’s goals and objectives, ensuring that everyone is working towards a common purpose. By communicating expectations, progress, and achievements, organizations can track their performance, make informed decisions, and achieve success.
• Increases Employee Advocacy: When employees feel informed, engaged, and valued, they are more likely to advocate for the organization, both internally and externally. Positive communication experiences lead to higher levels of employee satisfaction, loyalty, and advocacy, contributing to a positive employer brand and attracting top talent.

The Importance of Business Communication

How to Improve Business Communications in the Workplace

Improving business communication in the workplace is essential for fostering collaboration, increasing productivity, and building a positive organizational culture. Here are some strategies to enhance communication effectiveness:

• Work on Individual Communication Skills : Encourage employees to develop strong communication skills through training, workshops, and coaching. This includes improving verbal, written, and nonverbal communication skills, as well as active listening.
• Understand Which Method to Use : Different situations may call for different communication methods. Help employees understand when to use email, phone calls, face-to-face conversations, or other channels to convey their message.
• Make Meetings Efficient : Ensure that meetings have clear objectives, agendas, and timelines. Encourage participation from all attendees, minimize distractions, and follow up with action items and next steps to ensure that meetings are productive and valuable.
• Practice Listening : Effective communication is a two-way street. Encourage employees to practice active listening by giving their full attention, asking clarifying questions, and empathizing with the speaker’s perspective.
• Give it Time : Recognize that improving communication takes time. Encourage patience as employees work on developing their communication skills.
• Make it Easy : Simplify communication processes and provide training resources to help employees navigate communication technologies.
• Create an Open Culture : Foster a culture of transparency, trust, and openness where employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Encourage leaders to lead by example and communicate openly with their teams, creating a supportive environment for communication to flourish.

The Rise of Mobile Business Communications

The surge in mobile business communications has reshaped the corporate landscape, offering newfound flexibility and efficiency. Here’s a condensed overview of its impact:

• Flexibility and Accessibility : Mobile devices empower employees to connect and collaborate from anywhere, anytime, facilitating remote work and on-the-go productivity.
• Real-Time Communication : Instant messaging and video conferencing apps enable decision-making and information exchange
• Enhanced Productivity : Mobile apps grant access to essential resources and tools, boosting efficiency and reducing downtime for employees.
• Improved Customer Engagement : Mobile channels allow businesses to engage with customers in real time, fostering stronger relationships and enhancing the customer experience.
• Cost Savings : Mobile solutions often provide cost-effective alternatives to traditional communication methods, trimming expenses while enhancing accessibility.
• Integration with Technologies : Mobile solutions seamlessly integrate with other technologies, streamlining workflows and enhancing data accessibility.
• Adaptability and Scalability : Flexibility and scalability are seen in mobile solutions, enabling businesses to adapt to changing needs and accommodate growth.

How Technology Can Help You Improve Business Communication at Your Workplace

• Instant Messaging and Collaboration Platforms : Tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams allow real-time communication among team members.
• Video Conferencing Software : Platforms like Zoom or Skype facilitate virtual meetings, fostering better communication among remote teams.
• Email Management Software : Solutions like Gmail or Outlook help organize emails and ensure timely responses.
• Project Management Platforms : Tools such as Asana or Trello streamline task management and collaboration on projects.
• Document Sharing Tools : Platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox enable real-time collaboration on documents.
• CRM Systems : CRM platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot centralize customer data, improving communication with clients.
• Feedback and Survey Tools : Tools such as SurveyMonkey or Google Forms gather feedback from employees and customers.
• Training Platforms : Online training platforms like Udemy or LinkedIn Learning offer opportunities for skill development.

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Ross Aresco  is the CFO of Erie Institute of Technology.  Erie Institute of Technology (EIT)  is an Erie Pennsylvania technical/trade school providing training programs for medical, computer, electronics, manufacturing, and technology careers. EIT offers  programs  in many different areas to suit your interests and talents.

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Privacy Overview

Pride Month has started but what does that mean? A look at what it is, how it's celebrated

Pride Month has officially started as of June 1 and there’s a lot to celebrate.

Throughout history, people who identify with the LGBTQ+ community have struggled to gain equal rights within and to overcome adversity and discrimination.

But what is Pride Month exactly? Here's a look at the history of how it came to be and how it is celebrated.

Rainbow flag meaning: A brief history lesson on how the Pride flag came to be

What is Pride Month?

Pride Month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York and celebrates the LGBTQ community and the fight for equal rights. 

The Stonewall Uprising began on June 28, 1969 , when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a prominent gay bar in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. The protests that followed are credited with a shift in LGBTQ+ activism in the U.S.

The following year saw some of the first Pride parades in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Despite the pivotal role transgender people and women of color played in the riots, including trans activist Marsha P. Johnson , they were largely excluded from early Pride celebrations. 

"The reality is that most of the folks on the front lines at the Stonewall uprising were trans women, trans women of color, other people of color, butch lesbians,” Cathy Renna, Communications Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force, told USA TODAY in 2022. “And yet somehow, the power that was coming together ... to put together Pride events was from cisgender , gay white men.”

Today, Pride Month presents an opportunity for visibility and community. In addition to celebrating LGBTQ love and joy, it’s also a time to highlight important policy and resource issues the community faces. In 2021, NYC Pride banned law enforcement presence at Pride events through 2025 because of escalating violence "against marginalized groups, specifically BIPOC and trans communities."

This year, anti-trans legislation is growing across the country. Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric online has also lead to threats at schools and hospitals and to trans communities , USA TODAY found.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, 130 bills targeting trans rights have been filed and 325 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been proposed in 2024. More than 650 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in 2023.

When was Pride Month created?

The first Pride marches in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago happened on June 28, 1970, the first anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

In New York, thousands marched from Greenwich Village to Central Park in what is widely considered the first Pride parade in the U.S. 

But even before the first Pride parades, the gay rights movement was beginning to gain traction all over the country. In 1950, for example, activist Harry Hay founded the Mattachine Society, the first national gay rights organization. And in 1955, the first lesbian rights organization, the Daught ers of Bilitis , was founded.

The year 1965 saw the first “Reminder Day,” an annual picketing event outside of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall calling attention to the lack of civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community. In 1966, the Mattachine Society staged a “sip-in” at a Greenwich Village bar after the New York Liquor Authority banned serving gay patrons because they were “disorderly,” PBS reports. And in 1966, the Compton's Cafeteria riot began when a police officer manhandled a transgender customer at a San Francisco eatery. This led to the founding of the National Transsexual Counseling Unit. As the LGBTQ+ rights movement grew, the community turned away from outdated terms like transsexual and homosexual to transgender, gay and lesbian. While many consider these terms offensive, some still use them to describe their identities.

The Christopher Street Liberation Day March on June 28, 1970 , marked a shift from politeness to pride. In earlier protests, the “Homophile Movement” of the 1950s and 1960s focused on respectability – dressing in suits and skirts and carrying signs in protest. Post-Stonewall riots didn’t come with a dress code or tone requirement. 

“A new spirit has entered the struggle for homosexual freedom – a new spirit both militant in tone and revolutionary in orientation,” a 1970 Gay Liberation Front flyer reads. “Homosexuals at last have realized that they will never be able to be liberated by politely asking the system. Freedom is never given – it must be taken.”

What does LGBTQ+ stand for?

• B: Bisexual  
• T: Transgender
• Q: Queer, or sometimes questioning
• +: Encompasses other identities under the rainbow umbrella

Major Pride parades across the U.S.

Here’s a glimpse at the dates and themes of some of the country’s biggest pride celebrations: 

• Provincetown, MA: May 31-June 2
• Washington, D.C.: June 8 ( Parade ) and June 9 (Festival). The 2024 theme is "Totally Radical."
• Los Angeles: June 9 (Parade) and June 8 (LA Pride Festival). The 2024 theme is “Power in Pride.”
• Chicago: June 30 ( Parade ), June 22-23 ( Chicago Pride Fest )
• San Francisco: June 29-30 (Parade). The 2024 theme is “Beacon of Love."
• New York: June 30. The 2024 theme is “Reflect. Empower. Unite.”

Lawmakers mark the start to Pride Month on social media

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, President Joe Biden writes a message to the LGBTQ+ community.

“For generations, LGBTQI+ Americans have summoned the courage to live proudly – even when it meant putting their lives at risk,” Biden wrote in the post. “This Pride Month, we recommit to realizing the promise of America for all, to celebrating LGBTQI+ people, and to taking pride in the example they set.”

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) shares the progress that California has made regarding LGBTQ+ rights on X.

“Always proud to represent San Francisco, especially during #PrideMonth as we mark our progress from Compton’s Cafeteria to City Hall, fighting HIV/AIDS to uplifting trans rights,” Pelosi wrote. “We embrace love, advance freedoms and - when we win - will enshrine LGBTQ+ Equality into law. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️”

In a X post, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) posted a video discussing Pride Month and things that have happened in recent years.

“While we have made incredible progress since the Stonewall riots over 50 years ago, including codifying marriage equality law. It is important to remember that that progress isn’t linear. Over the past few years we have sadly seen terrible attacks at the state and local level towards transgender Americans. We’ve seen members of the LGBTQ community ostracized and persecuted, often by craven politicians, for short term, political purposes," Warnock said. "All the while they are simply living as their most authentic selves. But that cannot weaken our resolve to keep working to build what Dr. King called the ‘beloved community’ where all of God’s children are embraced, no matter who they are, where they come from or who they love.”

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at  [email protected] . Follow her on  Instagram ,  Threads  and  X (Twitter) .

More From Forbes

A psychologist reveals why ‘busy bragging’ ruins workplace relationships.

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Here’s why it’s important to reflect on the narrative you project at work about your stress levels.

Have you ever had a coworker constantly emphasize how busy they are, detailing the endless tasks on their plate or the late hours they work? While it might seem harmless, this behavior can significantly damage workplace relationships over time.

“Stress bragging,” also known as busy bragging, refers to regularly boasting about one’s busyness or workload to convey a sense of importance, productivity or dedication. While it is completely valid to want to share one’s challenges with trusted colleagues, when individuals do so primarily to “appear stressed” and overworked, they tend to glorify struggle and alienate those around them.

The underlying intention is usually to project an image of being indispensable and hardworking, even if the actual effectiveness or results of the work are not necessarily highlighted. Busy bragging can be a subtle way of seeking validation or admiration from colleagues and superiors.

A 2024 study published in the journal Personnel Psychology examined this phenomenon and found that it usually has negative interpersonal consequences in the workplace.

Here are two reasons why busy bragging affects workplace relationships, according to the study.

As Russia’s Armored Vehicles Get Worse, Ukraine’s American-Made M-2s Destroy Them Faster

Microsoft issues new warning for 70% of all windows users, tucupita marcano lost millions in future earnings by betting on mlb, 1. it makes people unlikable.

Researchers found that busy bragging often backfires as co-workers tend to perceive stress braggarts as less competent, likely due to the perception that they do not know how to manage their time, stress or workload effectively.

If someone is always busy but not producing commensurate results, it can lead to doubts about their productivity. They may be perceived as someone who struggles to prioritize or delegate work and engages in constant complaints and self-promotion.

Researchers found that such individuals are also perceived as less warm and likable. Busy bragging often focuses on an individual’s workload and achievements, which can come across as self-centered and arrogant.

By emphasizing their own busyness, such individuals might inadvertently dismiss or minimize their colleagues’ efforts and challenges. This can create resentment, particularly if others are working just as hard without seeking recognition. It can also be perceived as a lack of interest or empathy for others, making them seem less warm and approachable.

Additionally, colleagues may find busy bragging annoying, especially if it is frequent and comes across as a bid for sympathy or attention. Over time, they may become desensitized to the stress braggart’s complaints and less empathetic to their situation. They might start to believe that the individual is exaggerating and being disingenuous.

Consequently, researchers found that a busy bragger’s colleagues are less inclined to offer them help. They might think that the individual’s stress is self-inflicted due to inefficiency, making them less sympathetic or worry that their contributions or suggestions will be met with further complaints rather than gratitude.

Colleagues may also feel that their efforts to help will not be reciprocated as a busy bragger is usually focused on their own stress. They may feel that helping won’t make a difference because they will always find something new to stress about.

Further, research shows that people find humble colleagues more likable. So, busy bragging becomes counterproductive as it does not help garner support and also compromises the image of themselves that a stress braggart wishes to project.

2. Stress Is Contagious

Researchers found that co-workers on the receiving end of busy bragging tend to feel stressed and are more likely to experience higher levels of burnout.

Research shows that one person’s stress can spill over to another person in the same social environment. Firstly, by putting busyness on a pedestal, busy braggers can make others question if they are doing enough.

Secondly, such behavior also sets a precedent that being overloaded is a norm or an expectation and can create a pressure to match that level of busyness. This can fuel a stressful workplace culture where the appearance of being busy is valued more than actual performance and well-being.

Further, if team members feel that busy bragging is being rewarded or admired, it can demotivate those who prefer to work quietly and efficiently without seeking attention, lowering team morale and collaboration.

Additionally, constantly hearing about another person’s stress can be exhausting and emotionally draining. Colleagues may distance themselves from busy braggers and avoid helping them to preserve their own mental health and emotional energy.

Habitual busy bragging can erode the overall positive dynamics of a workplace. If you encounter a busy braggart, approach the situation with empathy but do not feel obligated to absorb or resolve their stress. Set boundaries to protect your own well-being. It is important to promote a workplace culture where genuine collaboration and mutual respect are valued over appearances of busyness.

It is also essential to consciously manage how we talk about our workloads and stress, become aware of any inadvertent busy bragging and address the underlying motivations behind it. Self-reflection and mindful communication are key to maintaining healthy workplace relationships and fostering a more positive, efficient and supportive workplace culture.

Busy bragging or being on the receiving end can be accompanied by very real stress. Take this test to gain deeper insight into your current level of well-being: WHO-5 Well-Being Index

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