Have you ever struggled to express your emotions?

It’s like there is cotton in your mouth and the words are hard to locate inside your head when someone asks something like “‘How are you REALLY doing?”  and you know they are not looking for a cordial “I’m fine”.  They could tell by your countenance that you were not “fine” anyway. 

We learn to talk at a very early age. But we learn to communicate long before that. 

But have you ever learned to communicate well? 

Communication is one of those things that seems simple, but it shapes everything: relationships, leadership, trust, conflict, healing, and purpose. 

While no one is perfect, it is important to realize that continuing to refine this skill is key to a satisfying life.

Good communication is not just about words – it’s tone, body language, energy, and facial expressions.  The key components that are important to master, both in your personal and professional life, are: 

🔑  The intent of the message. 

 🔑 The message itself - thoughts, feelings, information, instructions, or even silence. 

🔑  The delivery of the message. 

🔑  The method of delivery. 

 You CAN continue to grow this skill.

Here are some practical strategies to improve your communication:

👉🏽Great communicators aren’t just good speakers — they’re great listeners. Give full attention, listen to understand, and use active listening phrases like “What I hear you saying is…” or “Tell me more about that.” 

👉Don’t aim to impress — aim to connect. Keep it simple and direct, avoid vague language, and repeat key points in different ways to be sure it sticks. 

👉🏼People will forget your words, but remember how you made them feel. Ask thoughtful questions, acknowledge their emotions, not just their words, and speak from compassion, not just conviction.

👉🏻Who you're speaking to shapes how you communicate. Adjust your tone, depth, or examples based on their personality, background, or mood 

👉🏾Communication isn’t just talking — it’s intentional talking. Ask yourself: Is what I’m about to say true? Helpful? Loving? Necessary? Choose when you speak — timing can make or break a message.

👉🏿Your body speaks before your mouth does. Match your facial expression and tone with your message, and watch posture, eye contact, and gestures as they set the emotional tone. Smile when appropriate — it softens even hard conversations.

Begin by thinking about your communication with loved ones and friends, co-workers, and small groups, before you speak. What are the changes you want to make to become a better communicator in these settings?  Try the strategies we've listed and see what happens!