Effective communication is critical if you want a successful business (or in your career).Good communication can help improve collaboration, mitigate conflicts, reduce chances of misunderstanding and provide a connection with team members. Becoming a better communicator will build better relationships with your employees, colleagues and clients. See below, and learn our tips for effective communication techniques for business owners.

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1.Active Listening
Active listening isn't just hearing what someone says. It's listening to hear(with empathy),not just respond. It's demonstrating your engagement with the discussion by asking questions and caring about what they say. By being an active listener, you demonstrate your interest in the other person's message and build a stronger relationship with them. It also helps you remember details from the conversation which in turn builds that relationship!

2.Be Your Authentic Self
Being yourself when you communicate with people creates trust, and people want to work with and for people they trust. It is easier for others to listen to and engage with you when you are yourself.

3.Choose your words carefully
Language whilst fundamental to communication is often taken for granted! In this modern age where we have lost the art of communicating with words, take the time to build your vocabulary and ability to truly explain your position or point of view. Carefully selecting the right words assist with this. Sometimes taking a minute to really process before responding can significantly and positively change your message, but also have your words being heard in response in perhaps a less defence or misinterpreted manner.

4.Handle Conflicts Respectfully
You won't always agree with everyone in your team or with your clients. Even if you don't see eye to eye on something, you should still communicate respectfully if you want to keep your working relationship going. Never say anything in anger you would like to take back once you calm down.

5.Ask for Feedback
One of the most effective and efficient ways to improve communication is to ask for feedback. Your business can make more money and become a great workplace, but only if you ask your clients and team what they like or dislike about your business or your leadership. Asking for feedback can provide valuable insight into your business and influence decisions as you tweak things to serve your clients or your team better.

6.Practice Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence or EQ refers to someone's ability to perceive, understand, and manage feelings and emotions. As a leader being aware of emotional intelligence can help you guide social interactions and motivate people to work together more effectively. It can help you handle the stress, uncertainty and anxiety of working in a business.

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Strong and effective communication, more than any other factor, maybe the leading predictor of business success as it contributes to every part of business. When you communicate with your team or client more effectively, you're more aware of potential problems and better able to implement solutions early on

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