# These top 5 interactive skills will ensure we’ll become better communicators in 2021
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2021-02-22
Category: BUSINESS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business
Meta Title: Top 5 Communication Lessons for 2021
Meta Description: Discover the top communication lessons from 2020 by Tony Hughes, CEO of Huthwaite International. Learn about online behaviours, active listening, and showing
URL: https://financedigest.com/these-top-5-interactive-skills-will-ensure-well-become-better-communicators-in-2021html

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Last year was one like no other and is certainly one that the majority of us will be keen to say goodbye too. That said, it’s been an interesting one for businesses as we’ve adapted and completely transformed the way in which we communicate.

Here, **Tony Hughes,** CEO of global negotiation, sales and [communication](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-improve-communication-in-the-workplace.html) specialists, Huthwaite International, highlights the top five key communication lessons from 2020 that we should take on board in 2021.

**1) Be mindful of your online behaviours**

One thing that many of us realised quite quickly is that there are a number of [behaviours](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-maximise-your-virtual-communications-for-effective-team-meetings.html) that can be instantly irritating to people during conversations that take place online. Virtual [communications themselves provide multiple barriers such as poor connections and technology](https://www.financedigest.com/how-communication-technology-can-help-relieve-pressure-on-staff-in-the-financial-services-sector.html "How communication technology can help relieve pressure on staff in the financial services sector ") issues, this means without even having a conversation – the experience can be quite irritating. Therefore, with virtual [communications](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-improve-communication-in-the-workplace.html) not disappearing from the agenda anytime soon, it’s crucial that verbal [behaviours](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-maximise-your-virtual-communications-for-effective-team-meetings.html) do not further irritate those you are talking to.

Self-praising declarations are one of these irritators. Using the words ‘fair’ and ‘reasonable’ when talking to people can cause tension as they can undermine the person you’re speaking to and may cause lasting damage to your relationship. There are also other ways of communicating that can indicate a lack of sincerity. Verbal [behaviours](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-maximise-your-virtual-communications-for-effective-team-meetings.html) such as telling someone you’re ‘being honest with them’ or ‘that you’re trying to be frank’, can indicate that you may not have been completely honest in the past, or that you may be suggesting your counterpart is being intentionally dishonest. Leave this use of language where it belongs – back in 2020!

**2) Active listening is essential**

Listening is what separates skilled communicators from unskilled and using active listening is key to ensuring the conversation goes well. We demonstrate active listening by acknowledging statements. Acknowledging is not the same as supporting, by acknowledging we show we are listening but do not necessarily show agreement. Using phrases such as ‘I understand’, or paraphrasing statements show that we are aware of their opinion and their thoughts without necessarily agreeing with them.

Taking care to allow people to fully express themselves, especially if they are agitated or excited, is key to defusing a highly emotional or tense conversation. If we must disagree, we should take care to make a positive statement before and after the disagreement. This [means](https://www.financedigest.com/mooted-u-s-expulsion-of-russian-diplomats-would-mean-u-s-embassy-closure-says-moscow.html "Mooted U.S. expulsion of Russian diplomats would mean U.S. embassy closure, says Moscow") saying things like ‘I fully understand what you’re saying, and will do my best to help. However, I will [need some time](https://www.financedigest.com/time-has-run-out-3ds2-is-here-and-retailers-need-to-be-on-board.html "Time has run out – 3DS2 is here and retailers need to be on board ") to investigate the situation. Let me [come back](https://www.financedigest.com/twitter-asks-some-laid-off-workers-to-come-back-bloomberg-reports.html "Twitter asks some laid off workers to come back, Bloomberg reports") to you in X time’. Implementing active listening into your [communications during 2021 will lead to much more effective](https://www.financedigest.com/tips-for-effective-debt-chasing-communications.html "Tips for effective debt-chasing communications") and less confrontational conversations.

**3) Remember to show emotion**

Perhaps surprisingly, skilled communicators show their emotions and indicate how they are feeling towards a situation more than the average communicator. This skill is particularly [important when dealing](https://www.financedigest.com/exclusive-indian-car-makers-propose-tax-cut-on-imports-in-trade-deal-with-britain.html "Exclusive-Indian car makers propose tax cut on imports in trade deal with Britain") with a difficult online conversation. For example, phrases including ‘I am pleased we are making progress’ or ‘I’m worried that this won’t work out’, can be used as a substitute for an outright agreement or disagreement as it’s difficult to argue with someone else’s emotions. This verbal behaviour also reveals something personal, which is likely to encourage trust within a conversation. If someone expresses that they’re concerned a deadline won’t be achieved – it’s then difficult to retort with ‘no you’re not.’ When used in the right context, showing emotion is a highly effective way of deescalating confrontation.

It can also be difficult to observe someone’s body language over a virtual camera call so tone of voice is more easily interpreted and allows to show empathy. [Listen carefully](https://www.financedigest.com/listen-care-share-ofwats-latest-report-on-the-water-industrys-handling-of-customers-during-the-pandemic.html "Listen, Care, Share: Ofwat’s latest report on the water industry’s handling of customers during the pandemic") for clues to how the conversation is going from their tone and note that nerves tend to make the voice higher and this can be very noticeable – a warm drink may help to relax your vocal cords and deepen your voice. Smiling when you speak (if appropriate) will also help to relax you, and the other person. If you need to get it all right first time, practice makes perfect. Practicing with a friend of colleague can help to produce the relaxed tone of voice necessary to sound sympathetic or authentic.

**4) Dealing with extreme levels of reaction**

People who have an unusually high or low reaction level present characteristic problems, and how you deal with these high or low reactors is a whole communication skill in itself. We’ve all experienced talking faster or drying up I’m sure, when dealing with a ‘low reactor’ or perhaps giving away too much information or exaggerating? It’s important to stay focused and factual if people appear unresponsive – don’t try and [fill the communication gap](https://www.financedigest.com/analysis-energy-hungry-europe-cant-look-to-u-s-shale-to-fill-any-opec-gap.html "Analysis-Energy hungry Europe can’t look to U.S. shale to fill any OPEC gap")! Similarly, you [need to look out for feedback from high reactors who may be too quick to support](https://www.financedigest.com/hung-out-to-dry-smes-need-further-support-to-stay-afloat.html "Hung Out to Dry: SMEs need further support to stay afloat") and or disagree over issues. In a meeting scenario, ensure you check on the views and contributions of ALL participants.

**5) Don’t allow [discussions to lead to a breakdown in c](https://www.financedigest.com/optical-satellite-communication-market-emerging-trends-to-boost-the-global-revenue-growth-discussed-in-a-new-market-research-report-by-tmr.html "Optical Satellite Communication Market – Emerging Trends to Boost the Global Revenue Growth Discussed in a New Market Research Report by TMR") ommunication**

A strong indicator of an effective meeting is how well people respond to one another’s ideas and proposals. When a meeting is [working well](https://www.financedigest.com/biden-says-he-is-doing-well-working-after-testing-positive-for-covid.html "Biden says he is ‘doing well,’ working after testing positive for COVID"), people react positively or at least constructively, to what others say. When a meeting is ineffective, the opposite can occur and [tensions can rise](https://www.financedigest.com/oil-rises-to-more-than-7-year-high-on-mideast-tensions.html "Oil rises to more than 7-year high on Mideast tensions") leading to a potential communication breakdown. An extremely negative discussion can lead to what Huthwaite refer to as ‘Defend/Attack’ behaviours where opinions are expressed more strongly and more directly which can lead to people feeling exposed and becoming overly defensive. Defend/Attack usually involves value judgements and contains emotional overtones.

Avoid these behaviours by responding positively and appropriately and most of all, try to actively listen to what is being said. Really take the time to understand a differing [point of view and respect their position before jumping](https://www.financedigest.com/traders-ramp-up-bets-on-75-basis-point-ecb-sept-hike-bond-yields-jump.html "Traders ramp up bets on 75 basis-point ECB Sept hike, bond yields jump") in with a response. Taking the time to listen will give you time and space to fully consider other opinions. If you decide you do disagree with what they’re saying, active listening will leave space around the discussion which [offers the opportunity](https://www.financedigest.com/convenience-offered-by-home-automation-solutions-to-offer-opportunities-for-market-players-iot-has-encouraged-the-demand.html "Convenience Offered by Home Automation Solutions to Offer Opportunities for Market Players; IoT has Encouraged the Demand") to react in a constructive, rather than an emotional manner.

If you want to learn more about how Huthwaite International can help your team develop a highly effective virtual communications strategy in 2021, visit: [https://www.huthwaiteinternational.com/business-performance-solutions/verbal-communication-skills/](https://www.huthwaiteinternational.com/business-performance-solutions/verbal-communication-skills/)


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