How to improve your conversation skills

When someone is communicating with you, it is very important to give that person, and what they are saying your full attention. Try not to multitask or engage in any other activities that might be distracting during a conversation.

• Use active listening skills

Active listening skills are crucial to professional communication, and all communication in general. Active listening requires you not only to hear what someone is saying to you but also to comprehend and appropriately process their message. Ways to improve your active listening skills include:

• Asking relevant questions

• Paraphrasing what is being said to you

• Giving the person you are communicating with feedback

Active listening is absolutely paramount to improving your overall conversation abilities and skills.

• Don't interrupt others

Another key to improving your conversation skills is to practice not interrupting others when they are speaking to you. Interrupting indicates that you are just waiting to speak, instead of actually listening. Interrupting also prevents your communication partner from fully expressing themselves.

• Stay open-minded and don't make assumptions and judgments

It is also very important that you approach each conversation with an open mind. Avoid making rash assumptions and judgments about the person you are speaking to and what they are saying.

• Use eye contact

One of the tenets of strong communication skills is eye contact. When you maintain eye contact with the person you are speaking with it helps show them that you are interested, and also increases the chances you are going to pay attention to what they are saying.