When you think of anyone that has been influential in your life, what’s one thing they all have in common?
They communicate effectively.
Unfortunately, many people struggle with being able to communicate effectively, especially in today’s technology-driven world. Most people would rather send an email or text than pick up a phone or pay someone a visit.
It’s easier and faster, of course, but letting the easy way out dictate your actions on any front is not going to give you the best results.
To give you a sense of what we’re dealing with, here are some pretty staggering, and unfortunate, statistics.
Parenting
Based on a NY Post article, a study of 2,000 parents of school-aged children showed that 7 in 10 parents (70%) feel they struggle to communicate meaningfully with their child. Only 10% of parents said they’ve never struggled to have meaningful conversations with their kids.
The study, conducted by OnePoll, also found that 40% of parents reported that the average conversation with their kids never went beyond 10 minutes.
Workforce
Expert Market shares the following regarding communication in the workplace:
- 86% of employees cite the lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main causes for workplace failures.
- Improved internal communication can improve organizational productivity by as much as 25%.
- 97% of employees believe communication impacts their task efficacy on a daily basis.
Clearly, the majority of people are struggling with, and likely overcomplicating, their approach to communicating.
Let’s break it down and implement some easy-to-follow techniques. Follow these 9 rules to become an expert communicator.
Think before you speak
Thinking is always productive but not enough people do it before starting a conversation.
Before speaking, ask yourself:
- Do I know the point I want to make?
- Is this conversation necessary?
- Do I know my audience?
If no to any of these, zip it.
Establish eye contact
It’s a sign of respect.
It shows people you actually care about them and what they have to say.
Don’t let it cause you to lose focus on what they’re actually saying, but give the conversation its due attention.
Be concise
After you’ve thought about what you want to communicate, plan out how to most efficiently convey your message.
If you start to ramble, you’re going to lose people.
Stick to the message and if new topics come up, plan a follow-up conversation to get into it.
Be clear
There’s nothing worse than walking away from a conversation more confused than when you started it.
Always:
- Use clear language
- Be aware of your tone and pitch
- Clarify next steps, owners and timelines
- Ask questions and confirm there are no others
Know your audience
Great leaders tailor their message to their audience.
Determine:
- Who your audience is
- What matters to them
- What they need to know
- The best way to communicate
Respect your audience by crafting a message for them and they’ll return the favor.
Mind your body language
Your nonverbal communication is just as powerful as your verbal communication.
(Most) people are smart. They watch and judge every move, including:
- Facial expressions
- Nervous tics
- Eye contact
- Cleanliness
- Gestures
- Posture
Act accordingly.
Ask questions
Leaders sustain success when they’re humble enough to admit they don’t know everything.
Asking questions allows you to avoid decision-making based on assumptions, which is essential to lead your team effectively.
But asking questions is only half the battle.
Listen
When you ask questions, actively listen to the answers.
Fight the urge to zone out thinking about the next point you want to make.
Place your focus on listening and considering the feedback you receive. It will lead to a respectful and productive conversation.
Tell a story
Human beings are wired for stories. We relate new ideas to what is already registered in our brains.
Break down and explain complex subjects by using stories and metaphors.
The chances of people retaining the message you’re conveying will be much higher.
Conclusion
Don’t forget. Life is a journey.
You won’t remember all of these all the time but as you consistently incorporate them, they will become more natural.
Always be learning. Always be growing.
Learning how to communicate effectively is an essential part of your journey.
