Being a great communicator is not rocket science, even if your native language is not English. Communication habits that are noticed, and effective, are deceptively easy. Consider the simplicity of the following approaches:

1. Use some one’s name, especially on the phone. Doing this even once or twice, which is usually enough, encourages rapport or personable atmosphere when you are on the phone or face to face with someone.
2. Recognize the efforts and sacrifices of others. We live in a time compressed world and when you take from some one’s time (even if it is a demand of the job) extend gratitude and thanks where thanks are due. People remember how others make them feel months and years after the fact. Make this a positive impression.
3. Don’t eat lunch at your desk–be social instead. Indeed, this can be a sacrifice, but a worthy one. Imagine that everyone else is just as busy as you are, if not more. Take specific measure to have lunch, coffee, or 5 to 10 minutes here and there for a little conversation. Relationship building is good common sense. Just do it.
4. Listen. It’s a what’s-in-it-for-me world out there. How refreshing it can be when someone is really listening to what you have to say. More specifically, try to meaningfully build off others’ contributions, which shows you are truly listening.
5. Imagine that time really might be your listener and reader’s most precious asset—so work hard to protect it. Be mindful with timeliness, brevity, and staying true to timeframes for meetings. Regarding e-mail, less is more, and one e-mail is better than two. Think twice before hitting send.

While these points may seem remote from language skills, ESL topics, or Business English, remember that effective communication is more than what’s on the surface. Know also that, while there is an abundance of interpersonal and soft skill strategies out there, these five were carefully selected. Why? For brevity’s sake, it is enough to say that there seem to be a world of cultural differences that manifest themselves in the lack, or absence, of these softer characteristics being displayed. These have come to our attention, and we share them to empower you.

If we don’t give you feedback, who will?