Regardless of your profession, communication is an essential part of your day. From calming down irate customers to negotiating with vendors, to giving instructions to employees, your communication skills determine your success. Communicate well and you'll sell your ideas more effectively, deal with discord better, and run better meetings. Communicate poorly and you'll leave conversations wondering if anything was accomplished at all. Think about the conversations you have throughout the course of any given day. Are all of them productive? If you're like most people, they're probably not.

Communicating effectively requires planning, concentration, and consideration of others. So whether you need to talk with your spouse, hash out a problem with a friend, or land that next big business deal, here are some tips to add power and productivity to your conversations.

1. Think Before You Speak. Know why you are having the conversation and what you want to accomplish from it before you begin to speak. The listener will more likely remember your message.
   
   
2. Stop Talking and Listen. The best way to be a good communicator is to be a good listener. Think of your conversation as a tennis match, with each person taking turns serving and receiving, or speaking and listening. When it's your turn to listen, give the other party your undivided attention.
   
   
3. Ask Questions. To gain the most from any interaction, find out what people want. Ask open-ended questions that can't be answered 'Yes' or 'No.' then, restate what you heard and ask them to verify that you received the message correctly.
   
   
4. Anticipate Distractions. Nothing you do will make others feel more important than giving them your full attention. Turn off your pager and cell phone. If there are other conversations or events going on in the same room, ignore them.
5. Be Mindful of Your Volume and Tone. Your vocal tone gives the listener a snapshot of your feelings. If you want to show respect or affection, soften your tone. If a conversation begins to turn into an argument, consciously lower your volume; often your listener will, too. Keep your voice calm and even whenever possible.

About the Author

Jo Condrill is an acclaimed author, speaker and consultant. While only excerpts are printed here, you can find more tips in her book, 101 Ways to Improve Your Communications Skills Instantly. To engage Jo as a speaker or coach, please call 1-800-697-5680 or email at info@jocondrill.com. Visit her website, http://www.goalminds.com

Karen Mack Management Consultants LLC offers communication and professional development training, personal coaching and customized corporate retreats. Contact Karen at (202) 546-0722 or to discuss a program for your organization. Contact Karen at (202) 546-0722 or to discuss a program for your organization.

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