Importance of

Communication
in Everyday Life
Tips and Tricks
What is Communication?
• Communication is the transfer of information (a message) between a
sender and a recipient.
• Can be influenced by your emotions, the cultural situation, the medium
used to communicate, and your location.
• Two people can interpret the identical message in different ways
depending on their personal influences.
• Communication can be subtle such as eye contact/ lack of eye contact
and general body language.
• Effective communication skills are important skills to possess, both in
life and in the workplace.
Why Are Communication Skills Important?
• Effective communication can help to resolve or avoid problems and/ or conflicts.
• It helps you connect with others and share ideas.
• Effective communication clarifies information, reducing wasted time.
• Helps builds relationships, teamwork, and trust.
• Helps to develop your knowledge base, which helps you make better life choices.
• Effective communication builds interpersonal relationships, at home and at work.
• Helps us understand people, overcome diversities, and clarify situations.
• Communication is a skill that employers look for in an employee.
• Effective communication is a necessary skill to advocate for your rights and your
needs.
 Benefits to Effective Workplace
Communication
• Boosts morale and encourages exchange of new ideas which increases efficiency.
• Increases productivity because everyone understands their role with less ambiguity of tasks.
• Forms trust when you are able to share your ideas to accomplish tasks.
• Stops confusion and frustration when clear goals are communicated.
• Increases employee dedication and commitment by feeling valued for their input.
• Employees are more engaged because employees are directly involved in the company’s success.
• Increasing knowledge of business practices helps the employee do their job well.
• Encourages employees when manager’s communicate in a positive way to input.
• Lessens employee turnover because workers are more satisfied with their work environment.
• Clarity and effective communication reduces conflicts in the workplace.
• Honesty is the best policy, even if you make mistakes, which are an essential part of growth.
• Improves co-worker interactions when you successfully communicate ideas to managers or co-
workers.
Communication Skills
Test your communication skills by taking the following quiz:

Https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCS_99.htm
Communication Sounds Easy, Right?
• Effective communication is complex and is a skill that needs to be practiced.
• There is always a chance that someone may misinterpret your communication
with unexpected consequences with resulting conflict or frustrations.
• Communication involves far more than simply sharing of information, there is
also interpreting and understanding the specific meaning.
• At work, employees expect to be informed about the business and do not want
to miss any important information.
• Unfortunately, communication can be overlooked or forgotten, although it is
vital for day-to-day operations in an organization.
• Effective communication can result in decreased turnover rates in the
workplace.
 Barriers to Effective Communication
• Using jargon can be overcomplicated and unfamiliar.
• Emotional barriers (taboos)- some people find it difficult to express emotions and some topics may be
off limits such as politics, religion, sexuality, racism, etc.
• Distractions or irrelevant subjects make it difficult to actively listen.
• Differences in viewpoints and perceptions can increase stress levels and decrease effective
communication.
• Physical limitations such as speech difficulties or hearing problems.
• Language differences such as linguistics or dialects.
• Prejudices and expectations may lead to false assumptions and/ or stereotyping.
• Cultural differences such as social norms or personal space can cause anxiety.
• Psychological barriers such as stress can make it hard to understand and interpret conversations
appropriately.
• Anger can make it difficult to listen effectively.
Categories of Communication
1. Verbal
• Includes face-to-face, telephone, radio, TV, other media
2. Non-verbal
• Body language, gestures, how we dress and act, where we stand, tone of
voice, etc.
3. Written
• Letters, emails, social media, books, magazines, internet, and other
media.
4. Visuals (graphs and charts)
• Maps, logos, and other visuals.
Improving Communication
• Avoid stereotyping (ageism, racism,
sexism, etc.).
• Do not patronize or condescend.
• Remember the way you use language
reflects your attitudes and beliefs.
• Know your audience and communicate
accordingly (ex; elderly may have
decreased visual perception and you
may need to communicate with larger
print).
1. Be An Active Listener
• Try not to focus on what you will be saying.
• Effective communication involves listening.
• You need to understand the emotions that the speaker is conveying.
• Listen to the speaker’s tones and body language and subtle cues to
understand their message.
• This can build a stronger connection.
• With practice this technique can lower stress and support physical
and emotional well-being (ex; if the person you are talking to is calm,
then you become calm).
Tips for Active Listening
• Focus fully on the speaker (don’t check your phone or think
about something else).
• Favour your right ear- the left side of your brain processes
speech comprehension and emotions; therefore, your right ear
detects emotional nuances of what someone maybe relaying
to you.
• Avoid interrupting and redirecting to your concerns-listening is
not the same as waiting for your turn to talk.
• Show interest in what is being said-nod, smile, ensure your
posture is open, encourage their conversation with small verbal
comments “uh-huh”.
• Set aside judgement- withhold blame and criticism in order to
understand what the person is saying.
• Provide feedback- paraphrase “what I am hearing is…”
2. Pay Attention to Nonverbal Signals
• The way you look, listen, move, and react, impact
others more than words alone.
• It is called nonverbal communication and includes
body language, facial expressions, body
movement, gestures, eye contact, posture, tone of
voice, muscle tension, and breathing.
• Nonverbal communication can help you connect
with others and build relationships.
• It can be used to emphasize or enhance your verbal
message (ex; patting a friend on their back when
congratulating them).
Tips to Enhance Your Nonverbal Skills
• Be aware of individual differences- people within different age groups, different
cultures, or different parts of the world may interpret nonverbal signals
differently.
• Look at the various nonverbal cues as a group- consider all the communication,
eye contact, tone of voice, body language, gestures, etc., as a whole. Do not
focus on the fact the person briefly crossed their arms for example.
• If you say one thing, make sure your body language is congruent with your
message (ex; do not say yes while shaking your head no).
• Avoid negative body language and express positivity- go into an important
meeting making eye contact, use a firm handshake and smile, regardless of how
nervous you are. This can make you more confident and help to put others at
ease.
3. Keep Stress in Check
• At some point, everyone has been stressed and
said something they have later regretted.
• Relieve your immediate stress and return to a
calm state to avoid subsequent regrets.
• In a calm state, it makes it easier to read the
situation with no response sometimes being
the correct response.
• Controlling your stress levels can help manage
your emotions, think quicker, and effectively
communicate in stressful situations.
Tips to Stay Calm
• Use stall tactics by asking for clarification on the statement. This gives
you time to think before you respond.
• Pause to collect your thoughts- silence can make you seem more in
control than rushing into a response.
• Make a point and provide an example. Gauge the listener’s reaction to
see if you should make a second point.
• Deliver your words clearly- speak clearly with an even tone, and make
eye contact.
• Keep your body language open.
• Provide a summary and then stop. Silence is okay.
 Quick Stress Reliever
• Recognize the conversation is escalating ex; are your hands
clenched? Are your muscles tight? Forget to breathe? Are your
breaths shallow?
• Take a moment to calm down.
• Focus on your senses for distraction ex; pop a mint, take a few
breaths, squeeze a stress ball in your pocket.
• Look for humour in the situation- lightening the mood can
decrease stress with a story or a joke.
• Be willing to compromise-meeting in the middle ground can
show you are concerned and may preserve your future
relationship.
• Agree to disagree because sometimes there are 2 opposing
views and no amount of arguing will help anyone. Take a stroll,
try some physical outlet to decrease your stress, or simply find a
quiet place to calm down.
4. Assert Yourself
• Be direct and have clear communication which can boost your self-
esteem and decision-making skills.
• Express your thoughts, feelings, and needs in an honest way.
• Ensure to respect others, but stand up for yourself.
• Do NOT be hostile, aggressive, or demanding.
Improving Assertiveness
• Value yourself- you are as important as everyone else.
• Know your needs and wants- but do not infringe on the rights of
others.
• Express negative thoughts in a positive way but be respectful.
• Receive feedback- accept compliments graciously, learn from your
mistakes, ask for help when necessary.
• Know your limits.
• Do not let others take advantage of you.
 Resources
Become a better communicator:
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/communication_skills.htm

Communication Videos to improve your toolbox:

https://www.ted.com/topics/communication

Age-Friendly Communication: Facts, Tips and Ideas:

https://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/alt-formats/pdf/publications/publ
ic/various-varies/afcomm-commavecaines/AFComm-Commavecaines-eng.p
df
References
• https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/communication-1-idea-3
-facts-5-tips/
• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/effective-com
munication.htm#
• https://www.ihasco.co.uk/blog/entry/3234/what-are-the-benefits-of-effective-co
mmunication-skills
• https://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/alt-formats/pdf/publications/public/v
arious-varies/afcomm-commavecaines/AFComm-Commavecaines-eng.pdf
• https://www.ringcentral.com/us/en/blog/top-7-benefits-of-workplace-communic
ation/#seven
• https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/barriers-communication.html
• https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/what-is-communication.html
• https://blog.smarp.com/top-5-communication-skills-and-how-to-improve-them