Communication Skills That Actually Get Results

Someone watched their colleague close another deal. Same product. Same price. Different results.

The difference? How they communicated.

Why Most Communication Advice Fails

You’ve heard it before: “Be confident! Make eye contact! Speak clearly!” Thanks, genius. Super helpful.

Real communication skills aren’t about generic tips. They’re about understanding what makes people actually listen, trust, and act.

Here’s what nobody tells you: most communication fails because people focus on what they’re saying instead of how they’re making the other person feel.

Consequently, they dump information, use big words to sound smart, and wonder why nobody cares.

The Five Skills That Change Everything

Skill 1: Say Less, Mean More

Rambling kills credibility. Every extra word dilutes your message.

Bad example: “So basically what I’m trying to say is that we should probably think about maybe considering a different approach to how we handle client onboarding because I feel like there might be some inefficiencies in the current process that could potentially be improved.”

Good example: “Our onboarding process has three bottlenecks. Here’s how we fix them.”

See the difference? One makes you tune out. The other makes you lean in.

Moreover, brevity shows confidence. You don’t need to over-explain when you trust your point.

Skill 2: Match Energy Levels

Some people are high-energy. Loud. Expressive. Others are calm, measured, analytical.

If you’re bouncing off the walls while talking to someone who’s naturally reserved, you’ll exhaust them. If you’re monotone with someone who’s energetic, they’ll think you’re bored.

Therefore, adjust your energy to match theirs. Not fake—just calibrated.

A professional learned this in sales calls. Technical buyers wanted data and specifics. Creative types wanted vision and possibilities. Same product, different energy. Their close rate doubled when they started matching the room.

Skill 3: Master Body Language

Your body talks louder than your mouth. Crossed arms? Defensive. No eye contact? Untrustworthy. Fidgeting? Nervous.

Simple fixes:

• Keep your hands visible (palms up shows openness)
• Maintain eye contact 60-70% of the time (not creepy staring, just engaged)
• Lean slightly forward when listening (shows interest)
• Don’t touch your face (signals anxiety or dishonesty)

Additionally, mirror the other person subtly. If they lean back, you lean back a moment later. If they cross their legs, you do the same. It builds subconscious rapport.

Skill 4: Listen Like You Mean It

Most people don’t listen. They wait for their turn to talk. Huge difference.

Real listening means:

• No interrupting
• Asking follow-up questions
• Paraphrasing to confirm understanding (“So what you’re saying is…”)
• Putting your phone face-down

When someone feels heard, they trust you. When they trust you, they listen when you speak.

A sales professional used to jump in with solutions immediately. Prospects felt rushed. They learned to be quiet and let prospects talk. Their meetings got longer. Their close rate went up.

Skill 5: Control Your Tone

Monotone? Boring. Too enthusiastic? Salesy. Sarcastic? Rude.

Your tone conveys emotion more than words. “That’s great” can mean genuine excitement or dripping sarcasm depending on delivery.

Furthermore, slower speech signals authority. Faster speech signals excitement or nervousness. Vary your pace based on what you’re saying.

Practice drill: Record yourself talking. Listen back. Notice verbal tics (“um,” “like,” “you know”). Fix one at a time.

Real-World Application: The Meeting Formula

Let’s say you’re leading a project update meeting. Here’s how these skills stack:

Before speaking: Take three seconds to gather your thoughts. Rushed words lose impact.

Opening: “Thanks for making time. Let’s cover three things in the next 20 minutes.” (Clear, concise, respects their time)

During: Watch their body language. If someone looks confused, pause. “Does that make sense so far?” Let them ask questions.

Closing: “Here’s what we need from each team by Friday. Questions?” (Clear action items, invites feedback)

Simple formula. Massive results.

Common Mistakes That Tank Communication

Mistake 1: Using jargon to sound smart. If your audience doesn’t understand you, you’ve failed.

Mistake 2: Not adapting to the audience. Explaining technical specs to a CFO who only cares about ROI? You’ve lost them.

Mistake 3: Over-explaining. Make your point. Stop. Let it land.

Mistake 4: Forgetting to shut up. Silence is powerful. Use it.

Tools to Level Up

Recommended resources:

• High-quality webcam – Video calls are now normal. Blurry cameras hurt credibility.
• Communication books by negotiation experts – Learn how to actually persuade people.

Why This Matters Beyond Work

Communication skills carry everywhere. Relationships. Conflicts. Networking. Interviews. Parenting.

A professional applied their sales communication skills when negotiating their apartment lease. Got $200 off monthly rent just by understanding how to frame value and build rapport with the landlord.

These aren’t “work skills.” They’re life skills.

The Practice Plan

You can’t just read this and expect change. You have to practice.

Week 1: Focus on saying less. Cut filler words. One focus area at a time.

Week 2: Work on tone. Record yourself. Listen. Adjust.

Week 3: Master body language. Stand in front of a mirror. Practice confident posture.

Week 4: Level up listening. Full attention in every conversation. No phones.

Additionally, get feedback. Ask trusted friends or colleagues: “How do I come across when I’m explaining something?” Use their insights.

The Bottom Line

Great communicators aren’t born. They’re built. Through practice, feedback, and intentional improvement.

Someone eventually became the person everyone wanted on client calls. Not because they were the smartest. Because they made people feel heard, understood, and respected.

That’s the difference between talking at people and communicating with them.

Your challenge: In your next conversation, focus on one skill from this post. Just one. Master it. Then move to the next.

Communication compounds. Small improvements stack into massive advantages.

Now go practice.