Great communicators are viewed as successful individuals by coworkers and others. They become go-to people in an organization because people equate efficacy with effective communication. 

Great communicators contribute more to their organizations and receive more opportunities for promotion and recognition in their careers. There are other attributes, but ten simple communication skills are shared by nearly all effective communicators.

Build the Relationship First

When a great communicator approaches a co-worker, he takes the time to say, “good morning” and “how’s your day going?” The effect of the relationship-building forays is incalculable. The speaker demonstrates that, no matter how busy or overextended they are, they have time to care about others.

Know What They Are Talking About

Great communicators obtain the knowledge, insight, and forward-thinking ability necessary to earn the respect of their colleagues and acquaintances. Coworkers will not listen if they do not believe that the communicator is bringing expertise to the table, but will spend time with them if they respect their knowledge and the value that the communicator brings to the conversation.

Listen More Than They Speak

Imagine if a manager held a performance development planning meeting with an employee and talked 55 minutes of the hour. This is an egregious example of a manager dominating a discussion, but it serves as a reminder that people are unable to listen if they are talking. Understanding others—and what they need—is a crucial skill for communicators.

Focus on Understanding the Other Person's Motives

When someone else is speaking, great communicators do not spend the time preparing their responses. Instead, they ask questions for clarification and to make certain that they thoroughly understand what the other person is communicating, focusing their mind on listening and understanding.

Use a Feedback Loop

Saying, "Here is what I heard you say" and repeating the gist of the content of the message that they received from the other person’s communication uses a feedback loop to check their understanding and to make sure they are experiencing shared meaning.

Listen to Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication is a powerful voice in any interaction. The voice tonality, body language, and facial expressions speak more loudly than verbal communication or the actual words in many communication exchanges.

Watch for Patterns, Inconsistencies, and Consistencies

In any communication, the opportunity for misunderstanding is ever present. Communicators watch for patterns (is this how their co-worker typically reacts) and inconsistencies (is this consistent with what they expect from this person).

Immediately Remedy a Personal Issue Using "I" Language

Good communicators take responsibility for owning their own emotional reactions. They use "I" messages ​to demonstrate that they know that they are responsible for the reaction. For example: "You really messed up that customer interaction" is much less effective and honest than, "I was upset watching you interact with that customer for these reasons…"

Wait to Give Critical Feedback

If communicators feel they are going to say anything critical or controversial, they try and wait 24 hours before they say it, send it, or post it to see if they still feel that way the next day. ​Pausing before communicating is an under-appreciated skill of great communicators. In fact, communication will be more powerful and thoughtful if the circumstances are allowed to marinate for a longer period of time.

Open Their Mind to New Ideas

New ideas live or die in their first communication. Using the other communication skills presented here, you can make a new idea flourish or fail in an instant. Rather than immediately rejecting a new idea, approach, or way of thinking, excellent orators pause and consider the possibilities.

Build Coworker Trust

It is not enough to be a good listener and to draw out the other person’s opinions. They will not level with communicators or share their real thoughts if they do not trust them. You gain trust in your everyday interactions with people when you tell the truth—even when it’s difficult. When communicators consistently exhibit integrity and trustworthiness in their daily interpersonal conversations and actions, they build their communicating abilities even further.