3 Must-Have Communication Tools To Be A Better Communicator
Thousands of communication tools are created to fill a gap. Most of them miss the point.
People feel more alone, depressed, and anxious than ever before.
All while it rains communication software and beats us over the head with it.
As we have access to more communication tools, communication skill remains the number one skill employers seek in candidates, according to the former CEO of LinkedIn, Jeff Weiner.
Why is that? Because the tools by themselves don't make you a better communicator.
Communication shouldn’t be relegated to “tools” .
When you search for a new communication tool, you'll get a list of chatrooms, social media sites, messaging platforms, task management, and an endless list of other gadgets.
The tools are useful, but how you use the software is also predicated on your communication skills.
For example, if you can't clearly articulate a point, you're going to confuse everyone on the Slack channel, or WhatsApp group.
Technology doesn't fix your ability to articulate.
This is a key point when writing an effective email, but it's also true for all text messaging platforms.
There are thousands.
I've narrowed down the best communication "tools" to three must have's.
Correct your grammar, use active language, and structure your sentences for maximum impact.
The best communication tool to help you achieve this is Grammarly.
We spend most of our days communicating in written form. Because of this, we must make sure our writing is clear and easy to read.
Have you received an email from a colleague and wondered what they were talking about?
They weren't clear in their communication. Most tools can't help you with this.
It requires the best tool of all, your brain. It also requires practice.
Grammarly helps you with sentence structure, grammar, readability, and gives you other tips to improve your writing.
It's worth every penny.
If you can't meet in person, video is the second best.
The best communication tools are ones that help you clearly articulate your message.
Video does this exceptionally well. You can look into the other person's eye, read facial expressions (in the face), and build connection.
What video tool is the best you ask? Who cares about how understand the why.
Use whatever platform that allows you to easily video call another person.
Here are three options:
Apple FaceTime
FaceTime allows you too quickly and easily make a video call. It's incredibly simple.
For the same reason I love Apple FaceTime, I love WhatsApp. There's a ton of people using it, which makes it simple to connect with my international contacts.
Google Meet
Zoom is getting a lot of press right now, but I like Google Meet. It makes it simple for my team and me to connect.
If you can't communicate in person, make a video call.
The phone is still one of the best communication tools
I hate using the phone. Call me a millennial. Call me lazy. The truth is, I love to text as it allows me time between responses.
It's undeniable, however, that the phone is the best communication tool you can access, other than video.
Email is great, too; it's just misused.
We try to stuff essential details in an email, or via text, but that's the worst medium to discuss important information or build a connection with someone else.
Imagine dating only via text. You'd get dumped every other email.
We're usually not concise or clear, and many things get lost in translation. Or it doesn't get read at all.
The phone allows you to articulate what you have to say, and the other person can ask questions in real-time to get clarification.
It's a dynamic two-way conversation, outside of seeing the other person.
Pick up the phone, especially if you have something important to say.
Use the phone as your primary communication tool, follow it up with video, and when you send a written form of communication, clean it up with Grammarly.
Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you click through and pay for a service, I’ll be compensated at no cost to you. I only recommend services I use myself. See my full disclaimer.
