Top 5 Communication Skills To Help You Daily

Taylor Millet • February 3, 2021

As a New Year and the month of February is upon us, we want to keep in mind one of the most important aspects of for your personal, work, and business lives, which is communication. Communication can simply be defined as, “the imparting or exchanging of information or news.”


To me, communication is key in both my personal and professional life. Similarly to me though, most of us can improve our communication skills in order to help us better understand each other, solve problems, build trust, as well as share ideas.


TOP 5 COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO HELP YOU DAILY

Did you that more than half of communication is body language? That’s more than verbal communication! And, did you know that about 91% of 1,000 employees lack good communication skills? Below, I’ll outline 5 Communication Skills to Help You Daily and how we can improve them!


1. Listening – Listening is KEY to all effective communication. It is the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages in the communication process. It’s not just understanding what’s said, but also, understanding how the speaker feels.


  • Talk less, listen more, and listen with empathy!


2. Straight Talking – Conversations! Even the simplest “small talk” can go a long way to build trust or overcome unforeseen problems. You never know who you may be speaking to and the opportunities that speaking to them can lead to.


  • Speak up – communication can start with you, don’t be afraid!


3. Non-Verbal Communication – Non-verbal communication is also known as wordless communication. This includes body position, facial expressions, hand movements, gestures, eye contact, voice tone, and even the way we breathe. The way we look, act, or use gestures says far more than words will ever say.


  • Always remember that actions speak louder than words!


4. Stress Management – When stress takes over our lives, it can greatly affect communication, opinions, and behavior. In turn, it often results in problems. How often do we feel stressed in a conversation and speak out of anger, and then later regret it?


  • Never speak or act out of anger, take a breather, and think before you speak!


5. Emotion Control – Feelings also affect communication. Making decisions affects the way we feel or think. If we are unaware of our feelings, we will not clearly communicate them. Having control of our emotions can help us be better communicators by understanding others and ourselves. Therefore, we can relay those feelings correctly.


  • Be ready for different answers and opinions!


PERSONALLY REFLECTING ON THE TOP 5 COMMUNICATION SKILLS

After explaining these Top 5 Communication Skills, I would like to personally reflect on them:

Here it goes! First, listening is something that I have gotten better about, but I can always improve upon this as well. Being in sales, the saying, “talk less, listen more” is constantly on my mind. Personally, I also have this mindset at home, too.


Now, for strategy two, “Straight Talking.” Honestly, this is one of my better skills. I have always been told that I would talk to a wall if I could. However, through working in business development and sales, I have learned that you never ever know who you are talking to or what opportunities that it may lead to. So, don’t ever be afraid to have a conversation!


When it comes to non-verbal communication, I could probably improve upon this skill the most. This includes my facial expressions, talking with hands, and other gestures. Countless times, I’ve been told about my facial expressions, which sometimes appear as though I am angry, annoyed or irritated. Most often, this is not the case. In fact, previously I have been told my friends that before they met and talked to me, they were actually “scared of me.” Non-verbal communication is a daily struggle and work-in-progress for me. In addition to wordless communication, thinking before I speak is right there with the expressions. I am 100% guilty of speaking and acting out of anger then regretting it later. This is also something I try to improve upon daily.


Lastly, as far as emotions, I think I need to work on being ready for different answers. Someone’s response won’t always be what you expect, which I tend to forget. I need to work on being better prepared for all possible outcomes, whether I like it or not. So, before the end, or even the middle of 2021, I plan to have almost mastered all my communication skills not only for my professional life here at GRS, but also my personal life.



Guarantee Restoration Services is the leading property damage company along the Gulf Coast. With four convenient offices along the I-10 corridor, our team of dedicated professionals is available 24/7, for any mold, water, fire or wind property damage that needs immediate attention. If your business or home has experienced property damage contact us at 800-349-HELP (4357) or email info@guaranteerestoration.net.


Taylor Millet is a Business Development Representative at Guarantee Restoration Services. She has been a GRS team member for 4 years. To connect with her, visit LinkedIn or send her an email. 

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Why Pre-Loss Planning Matters for Lafayette Properties on the Gulf Coast

By Jeremy Cryer • May 27, 2026
On the Gulf Coast, preparation isn’t optional. It’s simply a part of doing business. From hurricane season to heavy rain events and everything in between, properties in Lafayette face a different level of risk than most. And when something does happen, the difference between a smooth recovery and a stressful situation often comes down to one thing: having a plan in place with the right team. Why Pre-Loss Planning Looks Different in Lafayette Pre-loss planning looks a little different here because the risks are different. It’s not just about knowing where your shutoffs are or having a list of contacts. It’s about understanding how quickly a storm can shift, how water can move through a property, and how to respond when multiple buildings or locations are impacted at once. That kind of preparation requires more than a template. It requires local knowledge. At Guarantee Restoration Services, our Lafayette team builds pre-loss plans with that in mind. We take into account the specific challenges that come with properties in Acadiana, including wind-driven rain, tornado threats, and the potential for widespread damage across an entire area. That allows us to create a plan that is realistic, not just theoretical. The Importance of Having a Clear Path Forward “We’ve seen how quickly things can escalate during a storm event. Having a pre-loss plan in place gives our clients a clear path forward instead of trying to figure it out in the middle of the chaos,” said Craig Rose, Mitigation Manager at our Lafayette Branch. That “clear path forward” is what makes the biggest difference. When a storm hits, response times are everything, but so is access. Roads can be blocked, power can be out, and communication can be limited. A strong pre-loss plan accounts for those variables and ensures that response efforts can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Protecting Operations, Employees, and Tenants It also helps property teams stay focused on what matters most. Instead of trying to coordinate vendors, track down information, or make high-pressure decisions, they can follow a plan that has already been built around their property and their priorities. From a business standpoint, that level of preparation protects more than just the building. It protects operations, tenants, employees, and timelines. Building Trust Before Disaster Strikes “Pre-loss planning is about building trust before there’s ever a problem. Our clients know who to call, what to expect, and how we’re going to support them when something happens,” said Paige Hebert, Business Development Representative in Lafayette. That trust and familiarity matter, especially in a region where large-scale events can impact entire communities at once. You are not just calling a company, you are calling a team that already understands your property, your risks, and your expectations. Be Realistic. Be Ready. Pre-loss planning on the Gulf Coast is not about over-preparing. It is about being realistic and ready. Because when the next storm comes through Lafayette, it is not a matter of if you will need a plan—it is a matter of how well that plan works when it is put to the test. Call us today to schedule your Pre-Loss Planning meeting where 24/7 is not just a number… it’s a GUARANTEE!

How to Respond to Property Damage in the First 24 Hours

By Shawn Folks • May 20, 2026
When a disaster strikes and a loss happens, the clock starts immediately. The first 24 hours after a storm event or a fire loss are the most critical for any property. It is at this time that major decisions need to be made, the damage is either controlled or spreads, and the path to recovery is determined. These decisions are often rushed, unclear, and reactive without a plan in place. This is where having a pre-loss plan makes a measurable and meaningful difference. A pre-loss plan creates a clear starting point for you and your team instead of scrambling to figure out who to call, what steps to take, or how to protect the property. It removes reactive hesitation and replaces it with action to recover. Everyone involved knows their role and understands the process, allowing them to move quickly without second guessing. Speed matters in restoration. Water continues to spread; materials continue to deteriorate, and secondary damage, like mold, can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The faster a response is initiated, the more damage can be contained. Pre-loss planning allows that response to begin immediately, not hours or days later. Other than fast action, it also brings clarity during a very chaotic and challenging moment. Property managers, facility teams, and business owners are not left out in the dark trying to make high-pressure decisions on the spot. Instead, they are following a plan that has already been thoroughly thought through, discussed, and tailored to their specific property’s needs. Communication can become fragmented without a plan. Another advantage to pre-loss planning is coordination. There are several moving parts including emergency services, restoration teams, and insurance carriers. Having a plan streamlines communication ensuring that everyone involved is aligned from the start. At Guarantee Restoration Services, pre-loss planning is designed to support the exact moment the dust settles. It’s not just about preparing documents to sign ahead of time; it’s about setting up our partners and clients to respond with confidence when it matters the most. From established points of contact to documented site conditions and response protocols, everything is built to protect time, reduce damage, and maintain control.  Many people think preparation is about preventing the worst from happening. Rather, it is about being ready when it happens. Because when those first 24 hours hit, you do not want to be figuring things out. You want to be executing a well-formulated, personalized plan for recovery. Call us today...where 24/7 isn’t just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE!

Meet The Team | Brian McCaughan

By Christina Mullins • May 13, 2026
Behind every successful project at Guarantee Restoration Services is a team member dedicated to making a difference. This month, we’re proud to feature Brian McCaughan, Mitigation Manager at our Gulfport Branch. With more than two decades of industry experience and a strong belief in teamwork, Brian continues to lead by example both in and out of the field.
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