Improving communication - become a leader.

It is often the seemingly little things in communication that can make a major difference in the outcome. We can all improve our skills, and sometimes it's important to review, remember and implement a few of the basics. Whilst good communication skills are essential in all leaders, the underlying skills and techniques are useful for us all. However, as with much in communication, they will only work if they are deployed in a genuine way. False and superficial communication never produces good results.     

Sometimes a good place to start is to think about what frustrates and annoys us in how others communicate with us, and then ensure that we do not just avoid those things in how we communicate, but that we do the opposite.

Many of us have a vision of what we wish to achieve; often such involves improving ones financial situation, whether that be through promotion at work or by regularly making the sales target. No matter what the goal, effective communication is essential, - and what is interesting by communicating well you will inspire others and build a rapport and trust with colleagues and clients that will propel you to a leadership role.
 
There are numerous books dedicated to the subject of communication but here below are five core ideas that form the building blogs.

1. Remember: You are Always Communicating. Indeed, it is impossible not to communicate.

Speech is just a  part of our arsenal of communication, it is suggested that just 10% of our meaning is communicated in what we say, and the rest is non-verbal. It is our demeanour that communicates much more than what we say, for example, how we walk, how we sit, how we use our hands.  Our facial expressions are critical; are you making eye contact, are you smiling? - Whether or not you are speaking, you are always giving off non-verbal messages to the people around you. Become more aware of your non-verbal communication to have a more powerfully positive impact on the people around you.

2. Learn to listen: Stop talking, remove distractions, and put your focus on the person talking to you.

Instead of waiting for your turn to speak or comment on what’s being said, allow yourself to really listen – and allow the other person to be heard.

3. Match & mirror: People find it easier to connect with someone who is like them.

If you want to establish a positive connection with someone, match him or her. Sit or stand as they do. Match their volume and pace. Incorporate some of the words they use into your statements. This simple technique – when applied with subtlety and respect – shows people that you are interested in them, without their being consciously aware of it.

4. Feedback: The traditional approach to providing feedback is usually about pointing out strengths and then identifying areas for improvement.

Many people do this by saying, “You did A, B & C really well, BUT . . .”.  The problem is that all most will remember is the ‘but’ and forget everything that came before, and all of our attention goes to the critical feedback. Practice providing day-to-day encouragement that recognises what people are doing well – and identifying the actions that can be added to improve the results. “You did A, B & C really well, and we can make it even better by . . .”.

5. Take responsibility: It is easy to blame problems or difficult decisions on others.

Many people avoid responsibility for a situation with phrases such as, “I know it is silly, but headquarters is insisting on this policy,” or “we know the right approach, but the ‘such and such’ are making us do it this way”.  While it can feel as though one is becoming, ‘one of the gang’, it only undermines your own status. Instead, find out and  recognise the validity of other points of view and then support the common ideas and concepts.

The above techniques are all ‘small things’, but they work and soon they add up to a very big thing….. improved communication and many steps closer to your goals.

April 18, 2011  |  Article Posted By: Administrator 1 , London
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