The Power of Verbal Communication: Why Words Matter

Words have power. Verbal communication shapes relationships, builds trust, and conveys emotions. Strong verbal communication skills are essential for  personal and professional success. The way people speak and the words they choose impact how others perceive and understand them.

Verbal communication involves more than just the exchange of information. It creates connections, defines relationships, and can make or break one’s interaction with the world. Verbal communication remains vital for building meaningful interactions. Understanding the power of words and developing effective verbal communication skills will serve everyone well for life.

The Importance of Verbal Communication Skills

Effective communication is essential in all aspects of life. When it comes to verbal communication, choosing the right words matter.

• Choosing the Right Words

Words influence how others receive and interpret the message. Using positive and inclusive language helps build rapport and understanding. For instance, saying "please" and "thank you.” Asking open-ended questions to encourage discussion shows consideration for the listener.

• Listening and Understanding

Communication is a two-way street. Strong verbal communication skills also require active listening to understand other perspectives and build consensus.

Active listening includes eye contact. Paying close attention to the speaker, making eye contact, and asking follow-up questions are all signs of engaged listening. When we listen to understand, we open the possibility for more meaningful dialogue.

Important Verbal Communication Skills

An effective communicator needs to master these verbal communication skills:

1. Active listening

   Actively listening means paying close attention to the speaker by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and avoiding distractions.

2. Clear pronunciation and projection

   Articulate words and project voice clearly for others to hear.

3. Positive language

   Use an upbeat and encouraging tone and word choice to positively impact the audience. Replace negative phrases with more constructive ones. For instance, instead of saying "that won't work," say, "that may be challenging to implement.,"

4. Providing constructive feedback

   When critiquing others, it is vital to focus on specific behaviors and offer practical solutions. It is not helpful to say, "your talk would have been more impactful if you made more eye contact.” Instead, provide constructive feedback by saying "your presentation seemed unenthusiastic."

5. Asking good questions

   To encourage discussion and get valuable input from others, ask open-ended questions. Prompts such as, "what are your thoughts on how we can improve?" promote innovative solutions compared to closed questions.

   

Ways to Improve Verbal Communication

To improve verbal communication skills, it is crucial to focus on these key areas:

• Active Listening Become a better listener by actively listening to understand, rather than to reply. Aside from words, it is vital to pay attention to the speaker’s tone and body language. Asking follow-up questions helps fully grasp the message.
• Clear Speech

Saying the words clearly and avoiding mumbling ensures clarity. It is important to have confidence, speak with conviction, make eye contact, and use hand gestures to capture the audience’s attention. Thinking before speaking helps reduce awkward pauses and filler words.

• Sharing with Intent

Begin with a clear goal in mind. Identify the key message and deliver it clearly by stating examples and anecdotes as needed. It is important to choose words thoughtfully.

Common Barriers to Effective Verbal Communication

Verbal communication can be challenging for diverse reasons. Common barriers that inhibit effective verbal communication include:

• Lack of listening

  Failing to listen actively and understand the speaker's message is a major roadblock. When people do not listen well, they miss important details. They fail to grasp the full meaning of the message. Active listening, like making eye contact, nodding, and asking follow-up questions, helps overcome this barrier.

• Cultural differences

  Diverse cultures have different norms regarding appropriate speaking volume, proximity, eye contact, and more. These differences lead to misunderstandings if not properly understood and navigated. Showing interest in other cultural perspectives and adapting one's style helps bridge this gap.

• Emotional interference

  Strong emotions like anger, fear or excitement cloud judgment and prevent meaningful dialog. When emotions run high, it is easy to become irrational, stop listening, or attack the other person. Managing emotions and reactions is key to overcoming this barrier. Take deep breaths to help diffuse strong feelings before continuing a conversation.

• Lack of clarity

  When the speaker fails to convey a message effectively, the listener fails to receive it properly. When the listener fails to ask further questions to clarify, misunderstandings occur. Organizing one's thoughts and avoiding excessive use of pronouns like "it" or "that" helps achieve clarity.

Evaluating an Employee's Verbal Communication Skills

Verbal communication skills impact an employee’s success and growth in a role. Evaluating how they communicate in person or over the phone is a crucial step in the interview process.

• Listening skills

  Does the employee listen actively and thoughtfully during conversations? Active listening shows respect for others and leads to better understanding. Look for signs like making eye contact, nodding along, and asking clarifying questions.

• Clarity and conciseness

  Clear verbal communication gets the point across without confusion. Listen for fluent, focused responses using precise language. Someone who rambles or frequently repeats themselves may struggle with concise communication.

• Professionalism

  The language and tone someone uses reveals how professionally they manage themselves in a work environment. Employees who speak formally and courteously are more likely to interact appropriately with colleagues and clients. Inappropriate slang, swearing, or casual speech can reflect poorly on a company’s culture and image.

  Evaluating an employee’s verbal communication skills involves listening for subtle cues and making judgment calls based on the needs of the role. When done thoughtfully, it reveals someone’s potential for success in a position.