How To Improve Your Communication Skills?

Communication skills come in different shapes and sizes.

How To Improve Your Communication Skills?

Every aspect of your job depends on communication, and how well you can communicate directly correlates with how well you can do your job. Here are specific things to do that can improve your communication skills.

Over the last few years, soft skills (= life skills) have been at the forefront of hiring professionals’ minds. With millions of people working from home and many others transitioning into a new career journey, soft skills are highly sought after.

With so many different avenues to convey your thoughts (email, phone, video, chat tools, etc.), strong communication skills (one of the many soft skills) will always be crucial. Employers are always looking for prospective employees with solid communication skills.

Communication skills come in different shapes and sizes – meeting with clients, working with colleagues, and speaking to various stakeholders.

This has become even more relevant with the increase in remote work - bad communication skills have been highlighted by the increased use of messaging rather than face-to-face workplace communication.

Every aspect of your job depends on communication, and how well you can communicate directly correlates with how well you can do your job. Here are specific things to do that can improve your communication skills:

➡ First, be a good listener by practicing active listening. Take notes if possible.

➡ Record yourself communicating. Review the recording and look for places to improve. 

➡ Watch your tone and be mindful of your nonverbal communication.

➡ Be respectful. Maintain a positive attitude and smile.

➡ Build your emotional intelligence and empathy.

➡ Always proofread and eliminate anything that strays from your message as you prepare your thoughts.

➡ Take time to create a thoughtful response.

➡ Before you speak, know what you are going to say and how you are going to say.

➡ Practice public speaking and tailor your message to your audience.

➡ For small talk, focus on topics included in the FORD method: family, occupation, recreation, and dreams.

➡ Ask questions and summarize the other person's main points.

➡ and last but not least, make communication a priority for your development.

Inputs from: Harvard Division of Continuing Education & Professional Development - Harvard Division of Continuing Education

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Are Life Skills Really Crucial?!

Each skill is unique in how it helps students, but they all have one quality in common. They’re essential in the age of the Internet.

Are Life Skills Really Crucial?!

Education should prepare our students for the future, whether that involves going on to further study, joining the world of work or becoming an engaged member of society.

21st Century skills are the abilities that today’s students need to succeed in their careers during the Information Age. These skills are intended to help students keep up with the lightning-pace of today’s modern markets. Each skill is unique in how it helps students, but they all have one quality in common. They’re essential in the age of the Internet.

According to Harvard University, all youth need to develop a set of core life skills to manage school, work, outside interests, and social relationships successfully. No one is born with these skills, but everyone can learn them through practice.

Adolescence is also a vital “window of opportunity” for building core life skills — and for practitioners/ teachers to provide support. During this period, the brain strengthens its most-used connections, making them faster and more efficient, and “prunes” away less-used ones.

No one is born with these skills, but everyone can learn them through practice.

As the different areas of the brain mature during adolescence, their ability to function as an interconnected system improves. Practicing core life skills during adolescence helps the brain build the most efficient pathways to support these skills throughout life. 

Shawn VanDerziel, Executive Director at National Association of Colleges and Employers, has pointed out 3 important concerns,

1. Communication, critical thinking, and teamwork are the most important competencies to have when entering the workforce.
   
2. Career centers alone cannot fix this.
   
3. Incorporating career readiness and career competencies into curricular and co-curricular activities is required - which should help narrow this perceived skills gap.

As per International Youth Foundation,

Life skills—like critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and conflict management to name only a few—are needed for success in life and work. We call them 'life skills' to encompass the ways this set of skills is transferable across a day, career, and lifetime. They are as necessary to navigating the relationships and day-to-day decisions that determine success in a family as they are on the job, at school, and within a community. Life skills training is a standard part of many youth employment programs because life skills are considered essential to the modern workplace and are expected to make youth more employable.

To paraphrase, renowned author Steve Taylore-Knowles:

"Education should prepare our students for the future, whether that involves going on to further study, joining the world of work or becoming an engaged member of society. Education is a process that enables students to take their place in society as effective learners, as effective professionals and as effective citizens. We need to equip our students with the kind of skills that will enable them to meet those challenges. These are skills that you, as a successful, effective #professional, probably use every day without too much thought. You go into a meeting and put forward your point of view while listening and absorbing the views of your colleagues. You make decisions, solve problems and communicate with others. And you use the same skills in many different aspects of your life."

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Remember to Smile!

Smiling Can Trick Your Mind Into Being More Positive?

Remember to Smile!

There is a strong link between action and perception. When your muscles say you’re happy, you’re more likely to see the world around you in a positive way.

Do You Know Smiling Can Trick Your Mind Into Being More Positive?

Groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia confirms that the act of smiling can trick your mind into being more positive, simply by moving your facial muscles.

The study, published in Experimental-psychology evaluated the impact of a covert smile on perception of face and body expressions. In both scenarios, a smile was induced by participants holding a pen between their teeth, forcing their facial muscles to replicate the movement of a smile.

The research found that facial muscular activity not only alters the recognition of facial expressions but also body expressions, with both generating more positive emotions.

Dr. Marmolejo-Ramos says. “There is a strong link between action and perception. When your muscles say you’re happy, you’re more likely to see the world around you in a positive way.”

Research shows that children smile an average of 400 times per day, compared to the average happy adult who smiles 40-50 times per day and the typical adult who smiles only 20 times per day.

Smiling not only offers a mood boost but helps our bodies release cortisol and endorphins that provide numerous health benefits, including: 

• Reduced blood pressure 
• Increased endurance 
• Reduced pain 
• Reduced stress 
• Strengthened immune system

Someone has aptly remarked, 

"Use your smile to change the world but don’t let the world change your smile".

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Mind Your Body Language

Mind Your Body Language

Your body language has a critical impact on your relationships with people. And while you may be quite good at reading other people, you probably have a way to go in understanding how you come across to them, which is only natural.

Review this list of nonverbal skills and work on any areas where you think you could improve,

- Avoid slouching. Sit with your back straight up against the chair or lean slightly forward to convey engagement. 

- Steer clear of smiles or laughter when messages are serious.

- Display some animation with your hands and facial expressions to project a dynamic presence. (But avoid talking with your hands excessively, which can appear unprofessional and unpolished.) 

- Eliminate fidgeting and shaking of limbs.

- Focus on the conversation.

- Introduce yourself with a smile and a firm handshake. Be sure that your palms are dry.

- Keep your hands away from your face and hair.

- Listen carefully, and do not interrupt.

- Modulate your vocal tone to express excitement and punctuate key points.

- Nod to demonstrate understanding.

- Observe the reaction of others to your statements.

- Read the nonverbal signals of others. Provide clarification if they look confused, and wrap up if they have heard enough.

- Refrain from forced laughter in response to humor.

- Avoid looking at the clock, your phone, or displaying any other signs of disinterest.

- Respect the amount of personal space preferred by your communication partners.

- Rotate eye contact with various speakers in group interviewing or networking situations.

- Smile to indicate that you are amused or pleased with the conversation.

- Steer clear of monotone delivery.

- Wait until the person is done talking to respond.

Best Teaching Practices for Law Academicians

Honored to conduct a hands-on workshop for UPES School of Law faculty members and contribute to the annual FDP.

Best Teaching Practices
for Law Academicians

It was an honor to conduct a hands-on workshop to build the capacity of UPES School of Law faculty members and contribute to the annual FDP.

Through a half-day workshop, we brainstormed and discussed the latest developments in teaching and learning like intrinsicmotivation, andragogy, generationz, bestpractices, hybridteaching, studentengagement, gamification etc.

It was quite impressive to witness the willingness to learn and give their best in the team challenges by all the participating faculty members to build a world-class law school. 

The success of the workshop, in no small part, goes to all the efforts made by the entire organizing team and the leadership. 

The success of the workshop, in no small part, goes to all the efforts made by the entire organizing team and the leadership. 

Here are the major pointers discussed in detail during the workshop,

1. I come from the training background. Before any training and development intervention, we always do TNA (Training Need Analysis). This is the very first step to start with.
2. The most important part is to know who the target audience is. Even their age group, their background etc. matter to us as trainers and then accordingly, we design as well as develop the whole training program to suit their needs.
3. Though the topic could be the same for all of my sessions but because my audience is different, I have to evolve and improvise my training material as well as training delivery accordingly.
4. I realized I am dealing with a generation that is super ambitious and they are digital natives. They don’t know landline or dial-up modem. They are tech-friendly and have their own unique characteristic. Yes, I am talking about generation Z.
5. Gen Z is the first generation to be spending more time online using a mobile phone each day then all other devices combined. Today’s teenagers are changing the ways all generations view the world.
6. Gen Z also creates more new online content than any other generation. They are not just consuming; they are creating. Their content is movies, games, and media. They think in 4D.
7. It’s a generation that has no idea what life before Google or a smartphone was like. They are a part of a unique do-it-yourself (DIY) culture – self-taught on YouTube or Google. They are visual in communication.
8. People speak different love languages. After many years of marriage counseling, Chapman’s conclusion is that there are 5 ways that people speak and understand emotional love. Chapman believes that, once you identify and learn to speak your spouse’s primary love language, you will have discovered the key to a long-lasting, loving marriage. Does it have any implications into teaching?
9. Every child is special. With all due respect, my own personal experience as a student and as a teacher has made me realize that there are no ‘bad’ students yet there are bad teaching styles though…It’s just that do we know their language?
   
   

   

   Topics for Poster Presentation as Team Challenge for Participating Law Faculty Members

   
   
10. The acronym VARK stands for Visual, Aural, Read/write, and Kinesthetic sensory modalities that are used for learning information. Fleming theorized that we are all one of four main types of learners: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinaesthetic. Understanding our brain’s psychology and how we best process information is one of the most crucial building blocks for educational success.
11. Adult educator and researcher Malcolm Knowles adopted the term “andragogy” to refer to the unique motivators adult learners used. While children required more extrinsic motivation and relied on instructor-led methods, Knowles noticed that adults were self-directed and relied heavily on their past life experiences when they approached learning opportunities.
12. If you can ignite a spark or love for learning and growth in a student, more than half the job is done already!
13. Don’t use fear of punishment as a motivator all the time. Make every student feel capable. Help them trust themselves to succeed.
14. Give accurate and authentic performance feedback. Stimulate cognitive curiosity by presenting a problem or question as a puzzle to be solved.
15. Connect games and learning. Talk about it. Set a greater goal. Show how knowledge applies in real life.
16. Course assignments should relate to students’ real-life experiences. Give students a sense of ownership and control.
17. Be a storyteller. Track student performance. Flip your classroom to stimulate deeper discussion.
18. Find what inspires your students. Keep it interactive. Make your students feel valued.
19. For asynchronous sessions, create back-and-forth dialogue in online forums. Gamify with teaching if possible.
20. Provide timely and useful feedback. Develop participation as a skill. Have students earn points. Create an addiction to learning.

*UPES School of Law is ranked 21st in India in the Law Category by NIRF 2022, offering unmatched global opportunities with multidisciplinary and holistic learning.

Many thanks for such wonderful words and kind remarks. 
Glad to see such active participation and highest professionalism

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7 Quick Pointers to Succeed at Cold Calling

image credit: oneofakindsales

7 Quick Pointers to Succeed at Cold Calling

Recently, I received a query from one of my global learners from Peru. She is a brilliant scholar and an aspiring entrepreneur. She tried to approach and 'cold called' a renowned economist from Peru. Unfortunately, all her efforts went in vain. Here is my response to her email where I shared 7 quick pointers with her, to succeed at cold calling. 

Here is what she wrote to me, 

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Dear Mr. Gaurav,

I have a question. You talked in your presentation about seeking mentors. I have previously tried to reach out to people, perhaps not for mentorship but just a piece of brief advice. More than a week ago, I submitted an essay for the John Locke institute essay competition, since I am passionate about economics. In my essay, I cited and based my main idea on a book from a renowned economist from my country (Peru), but when I tried to reach out to him I didn't get any response. I emailed him, his research group, his wife (who is kind of in the public eye too), congressmen that are from his political party (we founded a party), and a congressman that is a great economist too. As you might have guessed, I called and emailed but have gotten no real response.
My question is: How can I be successful at cold emailing or calling? How can I get an answer? 

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And my response to her:

Dear Lucia, 

Greetings from India!

Thanks for your query. Good to hear that you have previously tried to reach out to people for a piece of brief advice. It's nice that you submitted an essay for the John Locke institute essay competition, since you are passionate about economics.

It's impressive that you cited and based your main idea on a book from a renowned economist from your country (Peru). Unfortunately, you tried to reach out to him but you didn't get any response.

I appreciate your efforts that you emailed him, his research group, his wife (who is kind of in the public eye too), congressmen that are from his political party, and a congressman that is a great economist too.

It's quite unexpected that you called and emailed but have gotten no real response. As far as your question (How can I be successful at cold emailing or calling? How can I get an answer?) is concerned, there are so many factors that play a crucial role in getting a positive result out of such cold calling, 

Here are 7 of those important pointers that need urgent attention to be successful in cold calling,

1. First and foremost, research your prospect. It should be a pre-call ritual. Your outreach strategy should always begin with research. By tracking down key information about them, you can create content (for your request to connect) with value and keep their attention.
   
   
2. Write an outline of what you want to say/ request. Leverage the right words. Write up a quick (30 seconds or less) script that is appealing as well as convincing. 
   
   
3. Prepare a strong opening sentence. You have 10 seconds to prove that you’re worth talking to, so differentiate yourself. After introducing yourself, turn the focus to your prospect by weaving in your research and personalizing the phone call.
   
   
4. It's true that rejection brings emotional pain. Let the rejection motivate you. Don’t take it personally. Keep a positive attitude and continue learning from your mistakes. 
   
   
5. Practice makes perfect. Never go into a cold call completely, well, unprepared. The more confident you become, the easier cold calling will be.
   
   
6. Leave a voicemail. If you leave a voicemail with your name, the reason for calling, and your phone number, it’s more likely that the prospect will call you back. Voicemails should be short, clear, and straight to the point. 
   
   
7. Last but not least, don’t give up…too fast. Be prepared to follow up. 
   
   
   
   Best,
   Gaurav

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Famous Personalities Who Suffered from Glossophobia

Even famous individuals have suffered from glossophobia.

Famous Personalities Who Suffered from Glossophobia

You might find it hard to believe that some of the most famous people in the world tremble at the thought of speaking in front of an audience, but as this list shows, anyone can suffer from glossophobia:

Entrepreneur Richard Branson still breaks out in a cold sweat at the memory of his first speech in front of classmates at school. Although he admits to still loathing public speaking, Branson uses a few tips to help him cope with large audiences and is one of the highest-paid speakers in the world.

Harrison Ford has called public speaking "a mixed bag of terror and anxiety," but that hasn't prevented the "Star Wars" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" actor from starring in numerous blockbuster movies and receiving the Life Achievement Award of the American Film Institute.

Before becoming one of the highest-earning stand-up comedians, Jim Gaffigan had stage fright and a fear of public speaking when he first began performing in front of an audience.

When Samuel L. Jackson was a child, his speech therapist suggested acting to help combat his debilitating stutter and speaking phobia. Jackson has gone on to win an Academy Award and appear in more than 120 movies.

Julia Roberts went from a stutterer with a fear of public speaking as a child to giving a memorable acceptance speech when she won the Best Actress Oscar for "Erin Brockovich" in 2001.

As the list above indicates, even famous individuals have suffered from glossophobia; however, they were able to overcome their fear and find success in their professional lives. 

To conquer stage fright is to get up on stage and play. Every time you play another show, it gets better and better.

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