How would you define effective communication? What skills do you have that make you a good communicator?

Communication is the success in letting others listen to you.  The most important thing is to give them the chance to speak without interruption and then speak directly without histation, moving hands, looking somewhere else.  Give them the reply in specific without  going away from the point they asked for.  Don't forget to give enough space between you and the other person as everybody needs this privacy.  Look directly to the person you are talking to showing him or her respect and that you are not thinking or concentrating on something else beyond the subject that you are discussing.

Even though it is difficult to show attention on telephone but you can be a good communicator if your voice was clear, don't interrupt the speaker, give specific answers and of course be polite.