Communication skills have become essential across all roles, from startup founders to business leaders. They are key to success.
Ten years ago in college, my communication skills were poor. I often found myself at a loss for words in conversations. Do you relate to that? If so, these tips will be helpful for you.
The mindset shift that transformed my communication was overcoming the fear of judgment. In the past, I often hesitated to speak due to fear of judgment. Questions like, “Will I be considered a joker?” or “Is my opinion even relevant?” held me back.
Here’s how I overcame this:
- Self-Awareness: Understand that others’ judgments don’t change your abilities or knowledge. For example, if you can jump from a chair to the floor, someone saying you can’t doesn’t make it true. Judgment means nothing.
- Simplification: Explain topics as if to a 5-year-old. This ensures clarity and effectiveness. Practice this regularly to master the technique.
- Instant Articulation: You need to respond quickly and clearly in conversations. My technique is journaling. I write down whatever is in my head to structure my thoughts. This helps turn random, unstructured thoughts into clear sentences. The more you practice, the better you get at articulating your thoughts instantly.
By practicing these techniques, I improved my communication skills significantly, even winning several contests at Toastmasters.
I hope this helps you overcome the fear of judgment and enhance your communication skills.