Listen twice as much as you speak.

What you say and how you say it should depend on whom you’re speaking to – your audience.  Use an extensive vocabulary whenever you speak and don’t use slang.  There is a time and place for everything.  Would you dress the same way for a job interview as you would for a day at the beach?   No, just as you dress appropriately, you should also speak according to the occasion.

Practice communicating by listening intently and describing your ideas in a clear, interesting and understandable manner.

Slow down, take time to gather your thoughts before you open your mouth.

Be aware of what you’re discussing.   Don’t feel you need to speak if you don’t know the topic.  Nothing wrong with listening or ‘quiet space’ = the silence during communication when you gather your thoughts.

Concentrate on varying your tone which makes your message more interesting to the listener.

Increase your vocabulary by learning a new word every day.  Take out your dictionary or online you can check out my favorite the ‘Word of the Day.’

Recite tongue twisters. http://www.uebersetzung.at/twister/en.htm

Pay close attention when you see yourself on film.  How do you sound?  What does your body language say to others?  Take advantage of the opportunity to see yourself as others see you.

Sometimes you’re better off keeping your mouth shut and letting other people think you’re a fool, than opening your mouth and confirming it.

Listening can be very productive, you give yourself a chance to learn new things.  When you talk, you’re just sharing what you already know.

You have one mouth but two ears,

so it’s a good rule of thumb to listen twice as much as you speak.