Effective Oral, Public Speaking, and Gestural Communication
Techniques of Oral Communication
Conversation is the most important means of oral communication. Effective communication requires:
- Simplicity in discourse.
- Using a minimum of words.
- Speaking concisely and logically.
- Expressive force.
- Considering that the listener is a human being.
Forms of oral participation are grouped as:
- Individual Oral Participation:
- Chat
- Conference
- Speech
- Collective Oral Participation:
- Dialogue
- Interview
- Discussion
- Debate
- Roundtable
- Symposium
- Panel
- Forum
- Seminar
Public Speaking
The main secret is to be oneself; it is easier than trying to imitate or be someone else. The three input channels for the receiver of communication are sight, hearing, and feeling. Points to consider:
- Knowledge of the Subject: If you know the subject well, even if you feel afraid of the public and forget everything, just remember what you learned and the truth you know.
- Qualities of the Speaker.
- Organize the Presentation:
- Introduction: The audience must know as soon as possible what you will be talking about and the time it will take.
- Development: Indicate to the audience when a topic is finished and you are ready to move on to the next.
- Conclusion: Summarize what has been said; it usually lasts 10% of the total talk.
Gestural Communication
It is the language of our body, and what arises from it does not depend on the words we say.
Social Skills
- The Eyes: The look can express emotions and even allow us to know what the other person is thinking. When listening to someone, look them in the eyes. A sales professional continuously looks into the client’s eyes.
- The business look conveys seriousness and security.
- The social gaze conveys a social climate.
- The sideways look conveys interest.
- The intimate look traverses the whole body.
- Facial Gestures: Allow us to actually read a person’s state of mind. A seller must display warmth toward the client. Friendliness is achieved through a smile. A sincere smile has its own charm.
- Hands: Relaxed hands, which express alongside verbal language, emphasize and give color to the words. In tranquil people, hands should be restful.
- Position: Pay attention to body position to understand what the other person is thinking based on how they position their arms or legs. Strive to give a sense of relaxation and attention to the other person. If our body is relaxed, we will provoke the same feeling.
- Clothing: Clothing should never draw attention away from the product being sold. The company often provides the seller with the appropriate attire.
- Arms: When a person has a defensive, negative, or nervous attitude, they cross their arms, showing they feel threatened.
- Legs: Crossed legs indicate the possible existence of a negative or defensive attitude. There are two ways:
- Standard Cross: One leg crossed over the other.
- Figure-Four Leg Cross: Indicates an attitude of competition or argument.
- Voice: Tone of voice reflects our mood. Just as the voice can persuade, build trust, or offer reassurance, it can also create a bad climate, offend, worry, or deter.