11 Secrets People Good At Communication Never Told You
Communication
skills are the ‘secret sauce’ you need to get ahead at work and become a
successful leader. Whether you are making a presentation for your co-workers,
building a relationship or making a sale, robust communication skills are well
worth the effort to develop.
1. They practice important communication before delivery.
Skilled
communicators understand that a top notch delivery does not happen by accident.
For example, the late Steve Jobs held rehearsals for his legendary Apple
product launches.
When all
the eyes of the public (or your boss!) are on you, take the time to practice.
Visit the presentation location (e.g. the conference room, meeting room or
other location) in advance so that you are familiar with the layout and
equipment in the room.
2. They practice theatre for important communications.
The speed, tempo and style of your
communication plays an important role. For example, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates releases mosquitoes when he gave a TED Talk on
public health.
That move caught the attention of the group
and helped them to focus on his presentation. Using visual aids, repeating key
points and changing your volume to emphasize certain points are ways to use
theatre to improve your communication.
3. They know when to use active listening skills.
Great communications understand that
communication involves the speaker and the listener. That’s why they practice
active listening skills, especially in conversation.
These skills involve maintaining eye contact
and asking good questions about the person. For example, former U.S.
President Bill
Clinton is known as a great communication
because he focuses on one person at a time.
4. They study great communicators.
The best communicators are lifelong learners.
This includes watching speeches and presentations given at conferences such as
TED and at political campaigns.
Many public speakers have studied Lincoln’s
19th century speeches (e.g. The
Gettysburg Address) as an examples of brief and powerful
communication. To begin this study yourself, consider reading books such as
Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds by
Carmine Gallo or Public Speaking for Success by Dale Carnegie.
5. They take courses to improve their communication skills.
Did you know that Warren Buffet, the
legendary billionaire investor, considers communication skills highly valuable?
He took the Dale
Carnegie Course in his 20s and considers it one of his
best investments.
In the ancient world, lawyers and statesman
studied the art of public speaking for years in order to become successful.
Take a page from their experience and invest time and money in order to reach
this skill.
6. They communicate using body language.
The words used by great communicators are
important, yet they are only part of the communication picture. For example,
resting your head on your hand while listening to someone else speak generally
signals a lack of interest.
Psychology
Today reports that pointing your finger to
emphasize certain topics can be effective. Your hands, your smile and other
aspects of your body can help you become a more effective communicator.
7. They know when to use humor in communication.
Great communications are skilled at getting a
laugh out of an audience. For example, noted African-American author and
leader Booker
T. Washington (1856-1915) used humor in his speaking.
This approach helped him work through the
tension involved in public speaking. Likewise, Nellie
McClung (1873-1951) used humor in her advocacy
for women’s rights in Canada in the 20th century.
If you are seeking to make a challenging
point, take time to learn how to use humor effectively.
8. They know how to work with different audiences.
Every audience is different and top notch
communicators understand how to customize their communication accordingly. If
you are speaking to an audience of scientists and engineers, it makes sense to
use a lot of technical examples and emphasize proof.
In contrast, communicating with young
children requires a different approach. For the best results, take the time to
study your audience before you communicate with them.
TED
Talks by scientists are a great example of how complex
topics can be communicated to the general public effectively.
9. They understand the importance of good timing.
Good communicators understand timing deeply.
For example, a good sports coach knows when to deliver a rousing, inspirational
speech to lift the spirits of the team.
The best communicators also know the value of
responding quickly to a crisis. James
Burke of Johnson & Johnson took charge of
communicating the corporate response to the Tylenol crisis in the early 1980s.
Sometimes, a swift response is the best response.
10. They know how to use their personality profile
Knowing yourself matters in effective
leadership and communication. If you are a person who connects well with
people, then it makes sense to focus on that strength.
However, if you are weak in managing
details, consider following President Reagan’s examples and working with a
strong team of researchers and speechwriters. In fact, Reagan may never have
achieved praise as “The Great Communicator” without partnering with
writer Peggy
Noonan.
Top communicators need not always write their
own speeches if they bring other strengths to the table.
11. They know how to use different communication methods
Knowing the difference between a live speech,
a TV interview and a written report are some of the distinctions that great
communicators have mastered. For example, some communicators have specialized
in the art of copywriting – selling ideas and products through words.
BRUCE HARPHAM
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