Communication skills are valued in all areas of life, whether in business or at home. If you establish good communications, you build rapport, trust and understanding which leads to better relationships with your co-workers or with your family.

In business clear, regular communication will help your team to understand the company goals in order to align their individual work with these goals. Lack of communication causes gossip and speculation. An environment of open communication will minimize these problems. Skype or video conferencing will help to keep all employees on the same page no matter where they are located.

At home you are more likely to speak without thinking as you are more relaxed around your family members and less guarded. As a result, sometimes things are said at home to your family members that would never be said to others. You also may make assumptions that your family understands your communication perfectly, but this may not be the case. Try to give your family the same courtesy that you would give others. Spend some time together with activities, sports or a family night and allow some time for positive communication on a regular basis.

If communication skills don’t come so easily to you, there is help in counseling and obtaining feedback and tips on improving your communication with others.