Communication is an art that is constantly learned and practiced. The first thing humans learn is to communicate with their bodies, before with words. From the moment we are born, we learn codes that allow us to communicate basic needs like “I'm hungry,” “I'm tired,” and “I'm in pain,“ among others.
Later, thanks to listening, we learn words, and from that moment on, it has become the primary form of communication. But to communicate comprehensively, it's necessary to think if I am correctly conveying what I want through speech. Therefore, by considering the following points, you can change how you present yourself to the world.
Let's think about the word's own usage., while it is a daily activity and constantly practiced, that does not imply that someone who talks a lot is an expert in this art. On the contrary, they may be someone who requires a lengthy discourse to refer to something simple. The secret, in addition to reading, which is recommended from childhood to expand vocabulary and synthesize ideas, is to find balance with your interlocutor; it is being able to listen in order to speak.
Let's question why they don't understand me. Is it their fault? And what if we modify this to "Did I make myself understood?". This changes the burden of guilt within the dynamic of the dialogue, forcing you to think and put yourself in the other person's shoes to be understood, which leads us to coherently think about the best way to explain what we want to say.
It's fine to have your notes, but there's a difference between how things are written and how they are spoken. Keeping coherence in mind, it's possible to change things from voice projection, to thinking about whether what I'm expressing aligns with what I want to say. And this isn't just for a big event or working with the press, but for small things like voice messages, WhatsApps, or emails.
It's important to validate your interlocutor's understanding, but the responsibility for conveying what you intend lies with you. By thinking this way, you'll pay more attention to how you communicate with your voice, gestures, gaze, body language, etc., ensuring everything is aligned.
Define if you are the type to improvise or plan Why not both? Just like in life, we can always plan, and many times we've had to improvise. But to be able to improvise, it's important to have a foundation that you must practice. Talk to yourself, listen to yourself. Do you feel comfortable? Does it make sense when and how you say it? Think about the tools you have; use the silences. Only by practicing can you become familiar with what you want to say, and the improvisation will have a strong foundation that will allow it to be natural for you and for whoever is listening.
It's important to allow yourself to make mistakes. You are human, and anything can happen. Keep in mind that this is part of what you need to remember so that things don't happen to you, but remember that there is no superiority. The audience is no better than you. Don't be afraid; this will relax you. And always remember that you can say it in many ways, but never in just any way.
Rossana Bernal
Account Executive
Social and Corporate Affairs
