Warren Buffett Says Learning This Skill Changed His Life

Business mogul Warren Buffett says the key to becoming worth 50% more this year comes from your ability to effectively communicate.

In a recent video, Buffett said: “If you can’t communicate, it’s like winking at a girl in the dark–nothing happens. You can have all the brainpower in the world, but you have to be able to transmit it. And the transmission is communication.”

Inc. broke down several ways you can master your own communication skills.

Folks should slow down their speaking rate and be more aware of the pitch of their voice.

“Dr. Donna Van Natten, affectionately known as the “Body Language Dr.,” wrote an insightful book called Image Scrimmage, where she states the “optimal rate” we process information is between 170 and 190 words per minute. If you speak more than 190 words per minute about complex work stuff, you can bet the person across from you is headed for deer-in-the-headlights. Worse, Van Natten says, if you use more than 210 words per minute, expect the listener to abandon the conversation,” Inc. suggests.

The pitch of your voice could also giveaway signs of frustration or your true feelings. Pitch can impact not only your communication but also the perception others might have of you.

Using your eyes to communicate is also crucial. “Typically, we maintain eye contact 30 to 60 percent of the time (in order to avoid the creepiness factor),” Inc. notes. “More than that is welcome, as it signifies that you’re interested in what the other person has to say, but know what is socially appropriate.”

Being aware of other communication skills like body language, smiling with your eyes and mirroring another person’s expressions can all lead to better overall communication at work or in your personal life.