Core Competency Model Demonstration

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Accountability | Customer Service | Decisiveness | Entrepreneurship | Integrity | Negotiating | Oral Communication | Problem Solving | Team Building | Written Communication

About Oral Communication

Oral communication is an essential skill for effectively conveying information and ideas to your colleagues, clients, or superiors. To excel in oral communication, you must master two critical aspects — making clear and convincing presentations and being an active listener who clarifies information as needed.

• Making Clear and Convincing Presentations — When you make presentations, your goal is to communicate your ideas with clarity and conviction. To achieve this, follow these steps:
1. Structure your Message — Organize your thoughts in a logical order, ensuring your main points flow smoothly and coherently.
2. Engage Your Audience — Capture their attention with a confident and enthusiastic delivery. Maintain eye contact, use appropriate gestures, and vary your tone to keep them engaged.
3. Tailor to Your Audience — Understand who you're addressing and adjust your language and content to suit their level of understanding and interests.
4. Support with Evidence — Back up your statements with reliable data, examples, and stories. Providing evidence strengthens your arguments and adds credibility to your presentation.
5. Utilize Visual Aids — Enhance your message with relevant and appealing visual aids, such as slides or charts. Visuals can help reinforce key points and make your presentation more memorable.
• Listening Effectively and Clarifying Information — Oral communication is a two-way process. Being an active listener is just as important as being a persuasive speaker. Follow these guidelines:
1. Pay Attention — Give your full focus to the speaker, whether it's during meetings, discussions, or presentations. Avoid distractions and show genuine interest.
2. Interpret Non-Verbal Cues — Observe body language and facial expressions to gain insights into the speaker's feelings or concerns.
3. Ask Clarifying Questions — When information is unclear, don't hesitate to ask questions to seek clarification. This demonstrates your attentiveness and helps prevent misunderstandings.
4. Paraphrase and Summarize — After listening to someone, summarize their key points to ensure you've grasped the main message accurately.
5. Be Respectful and Patient — Give others the chance to express themselves fully without interrupting or rushing them.

By honing your oral communication skills, you can effectively share ideas, persuade others, and foster better collaboration within your corporate environment. Remember, practice and continuous improvement are the keys to becoming a master communicator.

How to Improve Your Oral Communication Skills

Here's how you can improve your skills of Oral Communication:

1. Practice Regularly — Engage in conversations with colleagues, friends, or family members regularly. The more you practice speaking, the more confident and articulate you'll become.
2. Join Public Speaking Clubs — Consider joining public speaking clubs like Toastmasters. These groups provide a supportive environment to practice and receive constructive feedback.
3. Record Yourself — Record your practice sessions or presentations. Listen to the recordings to identify areas for improvement and work on refining your delivery.
4. Know Your Audience — Before speaking, understand your audience's needs, interests, and knowledge level. Tailor your communication to resonate with them.
5. Organize Your Thoughts — Structure your message with a clear introduction, main points, and a compelling conclusion. This helps your audience follow your ideas easily.
6. Use Engaging Body Language — Maintain good posture, use appropriate hand gestures, and make eye contact with your audience. Positive body language enhances your message.
7. Vary Your Tone and Pace — Avoid a monotone voice by varying your tone and pace. This adds energy and interest to your delivery.
8. Use Visual Aids Wisely — If using slides or visuals, keep them simple and relevant. Visual aids should complement your speech, not distract from it.
9. Be a Good Listener — Pay attention to others when they speak. Practice active listening by paraphrasing and asking clarifying questions.
10. Seek Feedback — After presentations or important conversations, ask for feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors. Constructive criticism helps you identify areas to work on.
11. Manage Nervousness — Accept that it's normal to feel nervous before speaking in public. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing to manage anxiety.
12. Be Confident in Your Knowledge — Know your subject matter well. Confidence in your expertise will make your communication more convincing.
13. Practice Empathy — Put yourself in your audience's shoes and consider their perspective. Empathy helps you connect better with others.
14. Handle Questions Gracefully — Be prepared for questions and respond calmly. If you don't have an immediate answer, promise to follow up later.
15. Celebrate Progress — Recognize your improvement over time and celebrate your successes. This positive reinforcement will motivate you to continue growing.

Improving your oral communication skills is an ongoing process. Be patient with yourself and embrace opportunities to speak in different situations. With dedication and practice, you'll become a more effective and confident communicator, benefiting both your professional and personal life.

Oral Communication Knowledge Check

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Competencies and behaviors from OPM MOSAIC. Additional text generated by ChatGPT. Designed, assembled, and coded by jay@ttlms.com.