Author: AIESEC India

4 Ways to Improve your Communication Skills

Communication is an important feature of an effective leader.

Steve Jobs always motivated his workers to make progress towards Perfect Hardware Products. Jack Welch coached the senior authority group of GE higher than ever. Jeff Bezos is known for articulating the Amazon ethos unmistakably to employees and the world.

And why am I mentioning it?

Because Motivation, Coaching, and Articulation are all parts of Communication.

All these leaders have extraordinary communication skills.

So if you also want to have these great abilities here are 4 easy ways to Improve your Communication Skills:

1. Be a good listener

One of the most renowned and proven mantra to improve your communication skill is “listening”.

“Listen More Than You Talk” is something that Richard Branson has always been telling business people who want to connect with each other.

To communicate effectively, first tune in to what others need to say. At that point, you can give a mindful answer that shows you have considered those thoughts.  

 2. Over-communicate, but make sure to communicate.

In 1990, a graduate student at Stanford College could demonstrate that the presenters overestimate how much audience actually understands.

In an examination called “the tappers and the listeners,” one set of members were asked to tap the tune from 120 well-known melodies. The opposite team members were requested to think about what tune was being tapped.

Tappers evaluated that 50% of the melodies tapped would be effectively identified. When in reality, just 2,5%t of melodies were accurately identified.

This investigation demonstrates that it is vital to convey clearly, and to over-communicate when sharing something new.

Make sure that your audience actually understood what you just said. A good way of doing that is by asking them to summarize or repeat the information given.

3. Start and end with key points.

Rethink the “tappers and the listeners” specified above. Clear communication is of vital significance.

To ensure that the audience understands the key takeaways from presentations, repeat key points toward the beginning and wrap up of the speech.

This can likewise be achieved by providing participants with a one-pager that incorporates key points they’re supposed to consider all through the introduction.

4. Add examples to make listeners connect.

An ongoing report uncovered that people generally hold more information when given with an example.

To help the audience connect to you, think about infusing a type of novel occasion into an introduction, a daily real-life situation or even a joke.

This may be something amusing, or something that people just catch surprisingly. It gets much easier to process information when you connect it to something you can relate with.

Perhaps communicating clearly is one of the most effective skills you can cultivate as a business leader.

Listen carefully to what others have to say, and over-communicate in various different ways to ensure the content of the conversation sticks with the audience.

You can also find your voice, all you need to do is take the first step, and practice it every day!

Did you like this blog? You may also like “5 Parameters Recruiters Are Looking For”.

Don’t forget to share your views and give us some feedback 🙂


Written by

Anisha Bhawanani is graduated in Marketing and Finance and loves writing. She is a happy go lucky girl with a head full of dreams, very passionate about traveling and exploring different cultures. One day she wants to win a man booker prize.

4 Different Concepts of Peace – and How to Achieve It

Today we celebrate the International Day of Peace. Although we know that in many countries peace is still not a reality, it’s not a reason to feel powerless.

We should also take our time to think of the peace which we can contribute to, every day, around ourselves.

Think about it: what is peace?

The obvious answer  – and the place where our mind instantly takes us – is the absence of war. But this question goes way beyond that.

There are many other types of peace in the world, besides armed conflicts.

Whenever there’s conflict, there can be peace. And most of this is on our reach, we can actually do something to shape our world into a better place.

A peaceful home

This is probably the first place where a lot of kids get to know conflict.

Let’s not even go to a house where physical violence prevalence, which we know there are many. Husbands hitting their wives, parents hitting their kids. But some conflicts are not physical.

The mental violence inside a house can turn someone’s life into a living hell, and all you want is to see it stopping. We can do our part.

Lilo and Stitch loving family peace

We can avoid unnecessary arguments, or if the argument is necessary, we can try to lead it in a calmer and civilized way.

If you’re not well in your own home, or maybe you are the one disturbing the peace, it’s time to take some action upon it.

A healthy study or work environment

We see it every day, in real life and in fiction. Co-workers harming each other, kids bullying their classmates, teachers, and bosses disturbing the ones they lead.

Besides (obviously) not doing this sort of things, we can also actively prevent them from happening. If you see anything from this sort, have some courage, speak out!

The same way you put forward your opinions about fashion, sports or politics, this is something you should speak for.

We should defend peace in your own environment, not only for our sake but also for others.

Walking the streets in safety       

Most of us already had this feeling, of not being safe when we walk the streets at night.

Depending on where we live, it can be a constant fear, even in bright daylight. A country doesn’t need to be at war to have constant violence in its cities.

What can we do about it?

For starters, we can vote consciously. Take some good though, do a proper research on the candidates for your city, state or country. What do they propose to decrease violence?

And keep in mind that not always having a more strict and intolerant armed body is the solution: investments in education, lights, and streets cameras already help a lot!

Finding peace with yourself

This may be the most important one.

One can be at peace in the streets, in the house, or at work, but the one place we can never run from is ourselves.

Accepting, understanding and loving yourself may come as a big challenge, especially if the external environment is already unfavorable.

We tend to feel guilty. We judge and blame ourselves, much more than others do, and even more than we do with others. This is not fair, and it’s not easy. But it’s one peace that can only come from your own actions.

You need to be the first responsible for treating you well, accepting who you are and taking it easy. Respect your limitations and recognize your strengths!

There are many things you can do to help yourself: meditate, exercise, write a journal, or seek for a psychologist… The important is to do something 🙂

Maybe we can’t stop some national wars right now, but we can act every day in favor of peace.

All it takes is some courage and attitude.

Take some time to reflect upon these things, and understand: what actions you can take to make your world a bit more peaceful?

To read next: “Are we human enough?“

Top 5 Parameters Recruiters Are Looking For

In the contemporary recruitment environment, competition is cutthroat. To get the attention from recruiters you need to show more than just the required qualifications, you need to be outstanding.

Social Media channels, for instance, have become one of the most common mediums for recruiters to select potential candidates.

They provide an insight into not just the technical qualifications, but also soft skills of a candidate. Besides, they reflect the personality of an individual and can, hence, make or break your career.

However, that’s not all.

From your résumé to performing well under pressure and being a team player, here are the top 5 parameters the recruiters look for before hiring a potential candidate!

1. An Impressive résumé

‘First impression is the last impression.’ This statement fits the brief well, as your résumé represents you and whatever you are willing to bring to the company. It plays a pivotal role in the process of a candidate’s hiring.

a cv together with a report

Presenting your qualifications in a striking manner is as important as your credentials and experience.

Hence, picking an appropriate template that is relevant to the industry or the field of specialization you’re applying in, is absolutely crucial. You must also keep in mind to regularly update your résumé to remain relevant in the market, and to get efficient and desired results.

2. Ambition, confidence, and credibility

A recruiter looks for these two indispensable qualities in a one-on-one interview.

Confidence plays a major part as it shows if you can put your skills and qualifications to practical use. Credibility plays an important role, as employers want people in their companies who can work their way up, and ensure that they grow with the company and vice versa.

team work

So, if you change your job annually, or biannually, red flags might go up.

When asked where you see yourself in 5 years or so, it’s best to say that you envision yourself at the company at a sustained successful track. Show that you have the ambition necessary to do great things for the company and build your own path to success.

3. The appropriate skills and training

Your résumé and personality can only help you if you have the relevant and required skills and training for the position you’re applying for.

In today’s competitive economy, you will struggle to find someone who will hire a candidate that needs too much training before they can start their job. Moreover, lack of experience also contributes to slower growth for the company, and recruiters do not want that!

Hence, before you apply, make sure you have the technical qualifications that actually make you a viable candidate, and boost your chances of getting selected.

4. Being a Team player

Even though you apply as an individual, one of the most important things that recruiters look for when they look for potential candidates for a job is a person’s ability to get along with others and work in a team.

work mates celebrating together

Hence, your social and communication skills are put to test, offline. You should be able to engage with a variety of people, and not just work, but also grow with them.

The employer would also want you to enjoy your workplace. Employees who have a sense of belonging in their workplace and with their fellow co-workers tend to happier and more productive.

5. A Good Online Presence, especially on Social Media

Social Media is one of the latest parameters that employers keep in mind while hiring, because of various reasons.

First, it showcases your personality outside of work, your likes and interests. This can aid them in deciding whether you’re good or bad for the company.

Second, it can be used to validate the credibility of your résumé.

It also helps them to establish whether you’re up-to-date with the latest issues and your stand on them.

social media icons - recruiters may check your social media

Hence, it is best advised to regularly update your social media and lock it to people who are not your friends. If you choose to keep it public, or if you have your employer as a connection, the ideal is to limit opinionated and extremist comments, which might hamper your chances of getting hired.

It is very essential, however, to have an online presence, as employers may not even consider someone who doesn’t have any social media presence at all.

You get a head start once you know what recruiters are actually looking for in potential candidates.

The awareness helps you to craft your resume and prepare for interviews, doing any research necessary. The secret is to set yourself apart from the crowds, build up some experience and enhance your CV!

Keep these things in mind, and you’ll definitely increase your chances of success 🙂

If you like this, check out “How to be brutally honest in your résumé and crack the deal”!

7 Life Lessons from Michael Jordan

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Michal Jordan

At the age of 15, Michael Jordan was cut out of his varsity basketball team because he was deemed too short to play at 1.8 meters. As we know, he turned out to be highly successful in his basketball career and was known as a legend in the game.

It was his passion, determination, skill level and commitment that made him a leader among other men in the game of basketball. He crafted himself into the most valuable basketball player of his time, and for all its worth, he will be the one everyone talks about.

As a role model, he has inspired generations and is the reason many people fall in love with basketball. He managed to unleash his full potential and is an example of success, action, and ambition.

There’s a lot he can teach us about leadership and life.

In looking at what Jordan did to be at the top of his game, I find it is just what a great leader needs to do to stay at the top of their game.

So here are 7 valuable lessons we can all learn from Michael Jordan:

1. Don’t be scared to try 

“I can accept failure but I can’t accept not trying.”

~Michael Jordan

We don’t know the result and we may never know unless we try. We can give ourselves 101 reasons as to why it won’t work, but nothing will ever happen if we don’t get out there and try.

There will always be obstacles in the journey towards our goals. But don’t let them stop you from taking the first step. Obstacles are meant to be conquered. And the truth is, nothing will ever happen if you don’t do something about it, and there’s no better way than trying.

Action breeds action. And if you’re initiative and consistent in what you do, you’ll succeed.

2. Leave fear behind

“I know fear is an obstacle for some people, but it’s an illusion to me.”

 ~Michael Jordan

He realized that fear was an illusion earlier than others, and that gave him the freedom to try harder and dream bigger. Fear of failure is a big obstacle on the way to success.

We, as humans, are so fearful of failure that it halts all our actions but the funny thing in life is that if we do not take any action, we are doomed to failure. Contradicting, isn’t it?

It’s important that we realize the only barriers are the ones we set for ourselves, and here the barrier is the illusion of fear.

3. Focus on finding a solution

Michael Jordan

“If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them.  But obstacles don’t have to stop you.

If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

 ~Michael Jordan

When you hit a roadblock, don’t waste your energy and time panicking. Take a moment to gather yourself and find a solution – it exists.

Do not let the weight of the moment drag you down, instead, use this to be fierce. Recall why you need to win and let it drive you to achieve what matters the most, your dream.

4. Attitude Is Everything

“Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.”

 ~Michael Jordan

We all know the power of staying positive. Not just in negative situations but in life as well. Positivity plays a huge role in determining how much further we’re gonna go in pursuit of our ambitions.

michael jordan

5. Stay focused

“The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals and you can’t let yourself be beat because of lack of effort.”

 ~Michael Jordan

here are many distractions in life, and it wasn’t any different for Michael Jordan. He had to deal with failures, other people’s opinion, his personal problems, team members, what the media said about him, fame, and many other things. But he never stopped being concentrated on his goals.

He kept his vision, stayed true to what he believed in, and never let anything from the outside world get to his mind or heart.

6. Put In the Work

“I’m not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat.”

  ~Michael Jordan

There aren’t any successful people in the world that don’t put in hard work to achieve what they have today.

In order to collect your harvest, you need to put in the effort to sow first. That is the Law of Nature. If we want to achieve something, just put in the hard work and the results will definitely come. Be tenacious and improve every single day.

Michael Jordan playing for Chicago Bulls

7. You Can’t Do It Alone

“If you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades will take care of themselves. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”

 ~Michael Jordan

Jordan is arguably the greatest player of all time but he did not win six championships by himself. Jordan was blessed with a teammate and Hall of Fame player Scottie Pippen (one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History). What if Michael Jordan didn’t have Scottie Pippen?

Individual effort is important, but it’s teamwork that makes the dream work.

A great leader is those who can make the sum of the whole greater than the sum of the parts, as that’s when teams reach their full potential.

Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Michael Jordan

So don’t be afraid to do what you love and fail as much as you can.

All these lessons, together with the unforgettable games Michael Jordan played, are his legacy. And we can do the same.

Everything in life is possible. We just need to have a definite desire and take action upon it every single day.

And in the end, just remember to be true to the game, because the game will be true to you.

If you try to shortcut the game, then the game will shortcut you. If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you. It’s truly about the game, and in some ways, that’s about life too.

If you liked this blog you may also like: “3 Leadership Concepts From Jeff Bezos”


Written by

Studying bachelor’s in biotechnology, Aayushi is a really passionate person, who loves to read and travel. She believes people, places, and stories have the power to change anyone and help them understand the purpose of life.

3 smart tips to prevent food waste at home

In the journey of growing up, I’ve always heard one sentence after completing my supper:“Clean your plate! There are starving kids in Africa.”

Well, my reply always had been: “So, go and give them this food. “

I never took this sentence from my parents so seriously until I had a glance at what is to starve for food myself. That started happening during college when I was studying late night in my hostel and I had to wait till morning to get something.  

Of course, my hunger was nothing compared to people who are really suffering from starvation and malnutrition. Yet, the horrible feeling of my stomach asking for food while there was nothing I could do about it made me understand why my parents kept telling me to value my meals.

One fine day when I actually watched a documentary on how these kids in Africa and various parts of the world were really starving, and I felt guilty about myself. I felt guilty about how I never respected food ☹

Over a billion tonnes of food is wasted worldwide each year.

“When food goes to waste, so does everything it takes to get it to our plates – water, land, energy, and money,” as said by Dana Gunders, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council in the US.

She added “A whopping 24 per cent of global agricultural freshwater is used to grow food that is never eaten. In fact, if global food waste was a country, it would have the largest carbon footprint after the US and China. And at least in the US, food is also the number one product being tossed into landfills. It’s tragic to see this waste alongside the fact that when over 800 million people are hungry.”

But could all these discussions actually instill some sensitivity in us? Or just got spoken about and moved on with?

We all know that there’s a lot more to add, but let’s not be depressed and actually talk about how we can prevent food wastage.

It all starts from our own home ?

1. Practice FIFO

FIFO stands for First In, First Out.

While we unpack groceries, we should move older products to the front portion of the fridge/freezer/pantry and put new products in the back.

This way, we’re more likely to use up the older stuff before it expires and prevent it from being thrown away into landfills.

2. Freeze!

There are a lot of food items that can be frozen. There’s a misconception that frozen food lose their nutritional values.

Everything compared to fresh food has lesser nutritional value, but sometimes even less is enough!

Besides this, frozen food also remains safe indefinitely. You can freeze fresh fruits and make a nice cold juice with them later, for instance.

Good News: freezing food items also helps in increasing the expiry date.

You can also designate a week in which you write down everything you throw out on a regular basis. For instance: tossing half a loaf of bread each week?

Maybe it’s time to start freezing half that loaf the moment you buy it, so it doesn’t go stale before you’re able to eat it.

The best part is: this indirectly also helps you in saving money ?

3. Take Stock

Note the upcoming expiry dates on foods you already have at home, and plan meals from the products that are nearest to their expiry dates.

On that note, also keep a list of what’s in the freezer and when each item was frozen. Place this on the freezer door for easy reference and use items before they pass their prime stage.

Designate one supper each week as a “use-it-up” meal.

Instead of cooking a new meal, look around in the cupboards and refrigerator for leftover items and other food that might otherwise be overlooked easily.

Food waste is indeed a very alarming and terrifying issue everyone is facing.

But, looking at the brighter side of things, it’s so easy to overcome. There are so many things you can do to help and it all starts from our own home and lifestyle.

So, let’s spread the word. Awareness is the key. This is our planet, and it’s everyone’s job to protect and preserve it before it’s too late.

Together we can fight for and achieve SDG 2: Zero Hunger!

Challenge yourself and dream big for a healthier lifestyle, and a healthier world ?

Do you want to go deeper into the changes and get a hands-on for Zero Hunger?

Find your opportunity to Volunteer and impact sustainability at aiesec.in

If you like this post, you may also like “When will the world wake up to freedom —from pollution?”


Written by

Anisha Bhawanani is graduated in Marketing and Finance and loves writing. She is a happy go lucky girl with a head full of dreams, very passionate about traveling and exploring different cultures. One day she wants to win a man booker prize.