Communicating More Effectively
205Skill Examples
Listening skills UÊListening carefully to others when they are speaking, 
instead of comparing yourself to the other person, ruminat -
ing about what you will say next, and so on
Nonverbal  
communication 
skillsUÊMaking appropriate eye contact when talking to other people
UÊAttending to body language
UÊStanding at an appropriately close distance to other people 
during conversations
UÊSmiling appropriately
UÊSpeaking with a conﬁdent tone and a volume level that 
others can hear
Conversation 
skillsUÊStarting and stopping conversations
UÊKeeping conversations ﬂowing
UÊNot putting yourself down in front of others
UÊNot apologizing unnecessarily
UÊDisclosing information about yourself when appropriate
Interview skills UÊPreparing for interviews
UÊDeciding what to wear
UÊAnticipating the interviewer’s questions
UÊPreparing questions to ask
UÊWhat to do after the interview is over
Assertiveness 
skillsUÊCommunicating assertively rather than in a way that is either 
too passive or too aggressive; asking for what you want
UÊDealing with conﬂict, particularly with people with whom 
you disagree or who might be angry or hostile toward you
UÊLearning the difference between imposing on others’ time 
and privacy vs. making a reasonable request for help or 
social contact
Skills for meeting 
new people and 
datingUÊBasic manners
UÊFinding people to date
UÊAsking someone to lunch or dinner
UÊGenerating conversation topics
UÊEnding a date gracefully
UÊDealing with rejection
Public speaking 
and presentation