Good communication skills are some of the most ignored by many people today. Some people look highly presentable, but when they open their mouths, you either feel dizzy, or wonder how someone so good looking could lack coherence with speech, when you're not a stammerer.

Thread.

There set of people are usually intelligent. The ideas in their heads are crazily alluring, sometimes, they even have good written skills, but when it's time to express themselves with words, they lack the eloquence. They speak without coherence, despite the fact that they...

...know what they want to say.

One of the major signs to know if you're in the group is the frequent use of filler words. Some persons can say five words without using the word "like" 3 times. They might know what they are on about, but this repetition makes them look confused.

Your eloquence and ability to present your thoughts in an articulated way, gives you an edge.

You do not have to be an orator to own this skill. In the same vein, you are not developing it to become an orator.

You are just mastering presentability.

Developing this skill is quite easy. But you have to be willing.
1) You can practice with a mirror. Record yourself talking about something for 2 straight minutes. Try not to deviate. Try not to use filler words.

2) Practice with friends. Take the chance to speak. Don't shy away from giving speeches. They may laugh at you, buy you know your aim.

3) Watch good speakers. Have a mentor and watch how they speak. Learn their phrases and imitate them. Fake it until you become it.

Finally, you can dress smart, or even be smart, and come off as dumb, after you speak. And 90% you would not have the time to change people's perception.

Do you have the "h" factor problem? Work on it. If it's too hard, try work on other areas of your speech abilities to make up for it.

~ Toyosi