StartupTalky

Tag: public speaking

  • How to Improve Social Skills and Communicate Effectively?

    Today’s world is all about showing your best social skills and communication skills for marketing yourself. The budding entrepreneurs constantly need to sell themselves and market their business ideas. To bucket up the investors for the business, one needs to attend social gatherings and socialize with people to get them involved in their venture plan. However, in the workplace, these skills can be an essential aspect of staff interaction, planning, and collaboration. In this article, we discuss what social skills are, how to apply them in the workplace and why developing social skills is so important.

    However, it’s very important to impress the person with your witty remarks and steal the show with your knowledge. Many people are not comfortable with the words and not everyone can express their thoughts clearly which forfeits the chance of great investment opportunities from our hands. It is necessary to improve communication and social skills. So in this article, we will talk about ways to improve your social skills and effectively communicate in your workplace.

    What Are Social Skills?
    Methods of Improving Social Skills
    How to Leave a Mark on a Social Gathering?
    What Are Communication Skills?
    Ways to Communicate Effectively in the Workplace

    What Are Social Skills?

    Social skills, also known as interpersonal or soft skills, are used to communicate with others. There are several types of communication skills we use daily including: verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual. Verbal skills involve the spoken language, while nonverbal communication skills include body language, facial expressions, and eye contact. Strong social skills can help you build and maintain successful relationships both professionally and personally and also help you in being a good public speaker.

    Methods of Improving Social Skills

    To be a better communicator, one has to improve their social skills, improving social skills will help you in every aspect of life. Some of the methods to improve Social Skills in life are:

    • Instead of shying away, try to start a conversation with a stranger, your acquaintances and family. Ask an open-ended question that keeps the communication going, the need to engage is extremely important here.
    • Try to broaden your answer, when answering someone’s question. This led to deeper communication and you can practice your conversation skills.
    • Observe the social skills of the people around you, especially your colleagues. You can learn a lot of things from your surroundings. Observing their way of non-verbal and verbal communication will help you in improving yours.
    • Main eye contact while conversing with the opposite person.
    • Just talking is not enough, you need to develop your listening skills as well.
    • Take the help of books, podcasts and YouTube videos to improve your social skills.
    • Be aware of the current events and news of the world, this will give you topics to have start conversations with others.

    How to Leave a Mark on a Social Gathering?

    There isn’t any rocket science behind alluring the people, it is easy to behave in social gatherings. There are some basic rules which you need to regimen before entering any social event. So, draw your attention here.

    Make a Killer First Impression

    When we meet someone for the first time, the very first thought that pops into our mind are to make a long-lasting impression that they stay lifelong with us. The points that will help you to make an ebonics first impression for the audience are –

    • Smile often, will exude positivity. Smiling makes you appear more friendly and gregarious and, others will feel more comfortable in your presence. Don’t smile like a fool, just a little, to look friendly and easily approachable. Smile as you mean it.
    • Make eye contact with the other person while talking and that will define your confidence in the other person. Eye contact displays confidence and is one of the quickest ways to make people gravitate toward you. There is a simple trick to show your strength and social skills that will improve your confidence in the other person. So make eye contact with the person while talking to them with your striving confidence.
    • Your body language should be open to the public. Rigid body language is the definition of nervousness and lack of confidence. The body language should be relaxed and no need to be prim and proper. Positive body language includes good posture, leaning in slightly when someone is speaking (displays interest), and smiling/eye contact. This will helps in improving communication and social skills.

    Be a Good and Patient Listener

    You need to develop good listening qualities in lieu to get the attention of others in a social meet-up. Take time to understand the other person’s view and, only after understanding it reciprocate your answer. Some people confuse listening with hearing. They both are different things you need to understand, what is being communicated to show your interest by:

    • Giving them your full interest and showing that you’re understanding their words.
    • Take time to ask questions on the topic of the discussion.
    • Make valuable remarks on the topic and share your valuable opinion with the person.

    Give Compliments

    Giving compliments to the person while making the introduction will give you the right start. Give genuine compliments where applicable and be honest about them. If you notice something nice about a person don’t be afraid to let them know. Phrases such as “That is a nice shirt by the way. Where did you get it?” or “You have a very admiring personality makes you much more amiable and breeds pleasant social interactions.

    So, these are a few simple tricks to make social gatherings your show. But after reading this topic and observing the experiences you will get to know that confidence is the key element here. This will helps in improving communication and social skills. If you have the right amount of confidence in yourself, then no one can stop you from becoming successful. So, try to embed confidence in your body language and you will see the changes yourself.

    Effective Communication
    Effective Communication

    What Are Communication Skills?

    Communication skills are the activities that make your performance ultimately a good one. Communication skills are very important in every human being’s life it is used in both, as in your personal life and your professional life.

    It is also the abilities of when you give and receive different kinds of information from different sources. When you communicate ideas, feelings, or even any update regarding your work or project. Communication skills involve listening, speaking, observing, and empathizing. Having good communication skills helps to develop your personality and one can also be given the top priorities as a leader. Communication is so important that entire careers and fields are based almost entirely upon communicating, like these 13 communication careers listed here.

    Whether it’s written or spoken, reading, or listening, these skills are crucial in any workplace and can make you a better, more effective, and more efficient employee,

    Ways to Communicate Effectively in the Workplace

    When the employees have good communication skills, superiors can better understand the potential, willingness, talents, and skills of their employees. Some of the ways to communicate effectively are:

    Encourage open discussion: In this, a manager acknowledges his\her employee’s, views which is important. They ask their employees for valuable inputs. Encourage managers to clearly show that they have heard employees’ opinions and engage the employees on a personal level. The managers recognize their employees and acknowledged the employee’s inputs.

    More face-to-face or phone conversations: A face-to-face conversation will last longer as more people talk together, which makes them stronger and better relationships with employees, managers and the boss. As, in a face-to-face conversation one can perceive each other feelings, facial expressions, and body language. Having, eye contact will also help to get an understanding of the communication and good internal networking might help you in the future.

    Be careful when wording emails: When you are writing the mail to your manager or your boss, don’t write like the reader is your best friend. Don’t assume the reader knows who you are and why you are emailing. Don’t use informal language. Don’t forget to proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes. Write in a way that will boost them to open your mail.

    Be aware of body language: Your body language can influence the way others respond to you. It can also impact how they perceive you and your intentions. Being highly aware of your body language can influence your productivity and reputation in your workplace.

    Make meetings meaningful: While making the meetings one should have a clear agenda, so that everyone in the workplace has a clear idea about when and which meetings have to be scheduled at which time.

    Conclusion

    Effective communication is integral in your life. Without communication nothing is possible. One can eliminate unnecessary, unwanted problems and can promote better performance with the help of communication. The ability to communicate depends on your social skills, so before communication improving your social skills is extremely important as well.

    FAQs

    What are 5 essential communication skills?

    The top 5 essential communication skills are:

    • Written Communication
    • Verbal Communication
    • Non-Verbal Communication
    • Active Listening
    • Contextual Communication

    What are the 5 social skills?

    The 7 social skills are:

    • Sharing
    • Listening
    • Maintaining Eye Contact
    • Using Manners
    • Cooperating

    How to start a conversation with someone you don’t know?

    To start a conversation with a stranger, you need to:

    • Introduce yourself.
    • Start with the basics.
    • Be aware of your body language.
    • Disclose free information.
    • Make eye contact.

  • How to Be Good at Networking? | Top Networking Skills You Needed

    For a professional, networking is probably one of the most important factors. “Networking”, everyone knows it, but how well you do it; is the point. Networking plays a special role when it’s job-hunting time. Bad networking is a situation when you associate networking with being all pushy and bearing. And, some people tend to hide away from networking because they don’t want to be labelled, as some sociopath. What we are going to learn is how to be good at networking, and connect to more and more good people.

    You have to learn that networking is an ongoing process, which requires persistence, patience, attention, goodwill, and networking skills. Incorporating the skill of networking can get you great opportunities and build relationships that will last a lifetime. In this article, we will talk about some tips that can help you be good at networking. So. let’s get started.

    What Is Networking?
    7 Tips for Networking
    Skills That You Should Have for Networking

    What Is Networking?

    The best way to explain this: Networking is a two-way street, where getting to connect to people by knowing them better, can be a great opportunity where they might be able to help you and how you can help them in return. A professional networking event is a great opportunity to present yourself, make new connections, and even find yourself a new job of your interest.

    7 Tips for Networking

    Good Listener

    This point is the most favourite because being a good listener is such a turn on to every person saying his/her point. Good networking results when you know how well you can listen and learn, and faster you’ll establish a valuable relationship. A good networker has two ears and one mouth and should use them proportionately. Listen to people’s needs and concerns and find opportunities to help them.

    Follow Up Or Not

    When you offer opportunities, whether it’s a piece of information, a special contact, or a qualified business referral, to someone who consistently fails to follow up, then you have to realize that you have to stop wasting your time with the person. One respondent said that when it comes to networking, “The fortune lies in the follow-up” and that many people just “Don’t follow up anymore.”

    7 Secret Tips to master Networking

    Be Yourself

    Before diving into any tactical strategies, you have to learn that there is a pandemic hustling around the globe, which is clearly seen in behaviours. When everyone is trying to become someone who they think everyone will like, be yourself. Because, people enjoy talking to others, not spam advertisements or built-up personas.

    Set Realistic Expectations

    If you really want to shine, prepare to fail a lot and then rebound with double energy. Before talking to someone, realize that the person you are trying to connect with has some purpose. People cannot help you if you don’t really know what you want. These are the worst type of networkers — the people who only ask general questions without much substance. Come with a specific, concise question and you’ll find people are 10 times more likely to help you out.

    Leverage Social Media

    Whether it’s marketing or networking, avoiding social media is such a backlash. Ensure that your online profile is always up-to-date. Recruiters often use social media platforms to probe potential candidates, and even to check out your skills and experience.

    It’s an effective way to get to know important and reasonable contacts. Seek out like-minded or key contacts you would like to know better within your LinkedIn profile. Hit a conversation with them, and try setting up a meaningful meeting. When you have the opportunity to meet them in person, it will be easier to refer to the previous communications with them. Ensure that your online profile is always up-to-date. Recruiters often use social media platforms to probe potential candidates, and even to check out your skills and experience.

    Respond To Others’ Challenges

    There’s no better way to establish a business relationship than to contribute to the solution of your new contact’s pressing problem. When someone is facing a challenge, then just help them with something of value that addresses their issue.

    Be Approachable

    It’s a fact that people easily forget what you said and what you did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. So, when you’re approachable, people feel comfortable; and when they feel comfortable, new, and effective bonds are born. That’s why effective networking always starts with approachability.

    Skills That You Should Have for Networking

    Communication

    Communication is the act of exchanging information from one person to another. It involves speaking and empathizing with others to correctly receive the message that the other person is sending and responding accordingly. While networking, communication is essential in order to develop and maintain relationships with others.

    Active Listener

    Another important networking skill is active listening. To get people excited about your business and what you’re sharing with them, you need to listen to and understand their needs. Active listening involves maintaining eye contact, nodding your head to show you understand what they’re saying, and responding appropriately. Active listening also ensures you’re able to ask the right questions to keep a conversation moving forward.

    Social Skills

    These are the verbal and non-verbal skills that you use to interact with others. They include not only words but also body language, gestures, and personal appearance. It also includes friendliness, which conveys honesty and kindness. That, in turn, can create trust and understanding, which can build a strong foundation for a new relationship when you’re networking.

    Public Speaking Skills

    Public speaking skills can help you be more comfortable if you find yourself talking to a group of people, particularly at a networking event. Even when you’re just speaking with another person, one-on-one, public speaking skills can help you improve the way you articulate, helping the person you’re speaking with better understand you.

    Non-verbal Communication

    Nonverbal communication is extremely important for networking. It’s important to be aware of your own body language and any messages you may be sending to the person with whom you’re speaking. It’s also beneficial to be able to read the body language of the person with whom you’re speaking. This can tell you if you need to change the way you’re expressing your message or modify something else in your communication style.

    Interpersonal Skills

    These are often referred to as “people skills” and they impact the way you communicate and interact with others. They include a variety of skills, but particularly skills like attitude, communicating, and listening.

    Empathy

    Empathy refers to the ability to feel what another person is feeling. Empathy skills are very important for networking, as they make others feel that you understand and can relate to their emotions and experiences.

    Positivity

    A positive attitude is another important networking skill, as others are drawn to those with a friendly, positive demeanour. Positivity can help you develop a strong rapport with others quickly and, in general, help you to be more instantly likeable and memorable.

    Humour

    Humour is humanizing and helps people come together on common ground. When used appropriately, humour can draw people to you and eliminate tension, putting people immediately at ease. People with humour also tend to be more approachable.

    Focus

    Focus is also an important networking skill, as it enables you to give the person with whom you’re speaking your full attention. It will help you be an active listener and allow you to better establish a genuine connection.

    FAQs

    How can a business network be effective?

    10 Effective Business Networking Tips:

    • Choose the right venues. Not every group of people will be right for you.
    • Develop relationships.
    • Dress appropriately and professionally.
    • Be prepared.
    • Ask questions and listen.
    • Sit with people you don’t know.
    • Talk to people who are standing alone.
    • Move on – politely.

    What are the benefits of Networking?

    Some of the benefits of Networking are:

    • Shared Knowledge.
    • Opportunities.
    • Connections.
    • Increased confidence.
    • Raising your profile.

    What skills are required for networking?

    Important networking skills to have

    • Communication.
    • Active listening.
    • Social skills.
    • Public speaking skills.
    • Nonverbal communication.
    • Interpersonal skills.
    • Empathy.
    • Positivity.

  • 15 Psychological Hacks to Use in the Corporate World

    In the corporate world, where one wrong move can lead you to offload the board, it’s very important to make every move and take every decision after evaluating, to get the right outcome. Body language and the way of speaking are basic psychological traits that one need to focus on while meeting new people for any purpose whatsoever. Communication is a key aspect of any business or organization as it amplifies the relationship to throttle up the results.

    To throw light on the roadmap for the people who are new to the corporate world and to make them a pro in their game, we have compiled a list of psychological hacks to make your work-life somewhat trouble-free. These traits will help you to understand your coworkers and guide you while approaching strangers in social gatherings. So, let’s get started.

    Cool Psychological Hacks to Make Corporate Life Easy

    • One of the most common feelings is nervousness. When you start a conversation with a stranger, even though they are your business client, it is normal to feel a little bit overwhelmed and agitated. At this point try to ease yourself into the conversation. As a matter of fact, this happens because your brain is scared of exposure. In this situation, try to control your mind and ease into the conversation with the client.
    • From our very childhood, we have been taught to not interrupt in between when two people are talking. However, sometimes there comes a situation where one has to interfere. Here comes the technique to analyse body language. Now, before interrupting, look at the feet of the person, if they turn only their torso and not their feet, it means they are in the middle of an important conversation and they don’t want you to interrupt them, if not you can put out your point.
    • Whenever it seems that the conversation got heated and there is a chance of a mammoth argument, then simply stand next to the person and avoid standing in front of such person. Finally, this will automatically reduce their temperament and avoid unwanted turmoil.
    • Be vocal about your needs. If you require any help, then you need to directly approach the person and spell out that you need help. This will reduce loads of drama and delay. So, always adapt to this direct approach not only in the office but also in life.
    • Keep on nodding your head when a person is communicating with you so as to make them feel like you are indulged in their conversation. This will make them realise that you are listening to them and is interested in the topic that they are presenting in front of you. Also, if you want to get a positive response from someone, nod while you talk.
    • If you want to check whether the person is listening to you or not, just fold your arms. It will not only help you to check the concentration level of the person in the conversation but also make them aware that you’re serious about whatever you are spewing.
    • It’s a good trait to remember the other person’s name while conversing. While presenting a project, using the name of your client in the conversation, again and again, makes it more interesting and makes the opposite person feel that they are valuable.
    • Sometimes during addressing the public, you need to let them see your emotions, it also helps in making your speech more indulging and interesting. Pay attention to the small things like taking a pause after a few minutes and engaging the public in the topic by asking them to ask questions if they have any. Try to follow simple tricks to get the attention of the crowd.
    • If you ask someone a question and they only partially answer, just wait, give them some time they will keep talking, when they will feel that you think their opinion is valuable. Don’t change the topic or speak too fast, wait for their reply.
    • Give a person validation and rephrase their words at the end of a conversation. As it gives the other person satisfaction to know that you are listening to their words carefully.
    • Confidence is the key element here. If you are not familiar with the subject of the discussion, don’t let it see in your body language. Keep your confidence intact and handle the situation smartly without losing it, but don’t get overconfident, it can lead to a disaster, just play smart.
    • Don’t get succumb to any pressure. If you want to be persuasive, try and reduce the use of the words ‘I think’ and ‘I believe’.
    • Keep on looking at the people of the group and observe the way they are interacting with each other. This will show the real feelings of the people in the group.
    • Stay active and give a warm reply to the greeting received from the other person, this will make them feel that they are important.
    • When someone insults you, either ignore them or mock them. Never lose your temper, if you do, that is where you lost.

    Conclusion

    These are some of the hacks that can be used to improve your social skills. The corporate world is interesting but it can be harsh as well, one needs to play smart and use the hacks to make their work-life comfortable and easy.

    FAQs

    Are Psychological hacks necessary in the office?

    Psychology is important in the workplace, it helps in understanding the behaviour of the opposite person and also make you stand out in the crowd.

    What are the two psychological hacks that can attract customers?

    • While showcasing your products, try to use the emotional attachment of your customers.
    • Use colour psychology, to implicit emotions in your customers.