Monday, November 4, 2013
Become an Extraordinary Business Communicator
People who are
extraordinary communicators and presenters don't start out that way!!!
These people work at getting better. They take communicating effectively seriously. They practice. They learn the When, Where, How & Why to improving the way they communicate.
WHEN
People who are fabulous communicators and presenters do what Tiger Woods does with golf - they work at perfecting their core communication game on a daily basis. They are always practicing or modifying some skill. They never say "I am good enough."
WHERE
Great communicators and presenters use every opportunity to practice their communication skills. They practice first in low stakes situations, like in emails, reports, round table meetings, trade shows, ‘lunch & learns,’ or conversations with one's peers.
They also practice off the job- in restaurants, at parties, at weddings or around the kitchen table. They don't wait for formal presentations. By the time a high stakes presentation comes up, they feel ready because they have been practicing all along.
HOW
First, serious learners get feedback, either from a communication's coach, their manager, or their peers.
Some join organisations, like Toastmasters or take a communication / presentation skills course with the express purpose of understanding what they do well and what needs improvement. Once they understand their strengths and weaknesses, they set realistic goals. Then, they tackle one skill at a time until it becomes second nature for them. They do not try to correct everything at once.
Maxwell Maltz says it takes “21 days to change a habit”. A lot of what we do when communicating is based on habit. Since some habits negatively affect people's perception of a speaker's credibility, it is important to change those things that undercut one's impact and to work on improvement on a daily, even hourly basis, for 21 days or longer.
To be perceived as a powerful business communicator and presenter a speaker must demonstrate both composure and energy. The skills for composure are:
- Posture
- Eye Contact
- Pausing
The skills for energy are:
- Movement
- Gestures
- Vocal Variety
- Facial Animation
To practice the composure skill of posture, notice your posture whenever you see
yourself in a mirror. If one shoulder is higher than another, you are not
balancing your weight. Also, notice your arms when at rest. Do they rest at
your sides, in your pockets or on your hips? Are they crossed on your chest?
The goal with posture is to look confident, but also approachable.
Each time you walk in front of a mirror or see your reflection in a window, correct your posture until you feel people will see you in a positive light. This is the first way you communicate with your audience.
Eye contact is easy to practice since you can do it anywhere. The thing to remember is that you want the eye contact to be sustained, not fleeting. You want people to feel you are talking just to them so practice by looking at an individual for a full sentence or thought. Do not try to include everyone at once by giving people a quick glance.
You can keep tabs on how you are pausing through your own voice mail system. Play back messages before you send them. Listen for non-words, speed and diction. Pay attention to how clearly and concisely you stated your message.
When you present an idea to people, their expectation is that you truly believe in it and are excited to share what you know.
To convey enthusiasm, it is important that a speaker gesture to emphasize ideas and help listeners to "see" it. If the speaker has the opportunity to stand up, movement sends an additional message as to how important the idea is.
When a speaker is moving and gesturing, he becomes real and demonstrates conviction. Moreover, when the speaker is gesturing and moving, the face lights up and the voice has a certain sparkle.
The best way for speakers to get feedback on the energy skills is by periodically videotaping themselves and noticing what they observe when reviewing the tape. Are the gestures repetitive, overdone, or too controlled? Does the movement seem purposeful and tied to a pair of eyes? Is the voice interesting or flat?
WHY
The answer to why one should get better at communicating is simple. It is the number one skill for business people today. It is essential for anyone who wants to move up the corporate ladder.
To be considered a good leader, one must be able to communicate effectively with senior level managers, one's peers and one's direct reports. Without clearly communicating the message, projects get scuttled, opportunities are overlooked and wrong decisions are made, costing the company market shares and profits. With "ordinary" communication skills, one's career stagnates.
Bottom line... To join the ranks of extraordinary communicators and presenters, be a continuous learner. Dedicate yourself to perfection. Pay attention to the many opportunities you have for growth.
Each time you walk in front of a mirror or see your reflection in a window, correct your posture until you feel people will see you in a positive light. This is the first way you communicate with your audience.
Eye contact is easy to practice since you can do it anywhere. The thing to remember is that you want the eye contact to be sustained, not fleeting. You want people to feel you are talking just to them so practice by looking at an individual for a full sentence or thought. Do not try to include everyone at once by giving people a quick glance.
You can keep tabs on how you are pausing through your own voice mail system. Play back messages before you send them. Listen for non-words, speed and diction. Pay attention to how clearly and concisely you stated your message.
When you present an idea to people, their expectation is that you truly believe in it and are excited to share what you know.
To convey enthusiasm, it is important that a speaker gesture to emphasize ideas and help listeners to "see" it. If the speaker has the opportunity to stand up, movement sends an additional message as to how important the idea is.
When a speaker is moving and gesturing, he becomes real and demonstrates conviction. Moreover, when the speaker is gesturing and moving, the face lights up and the voice has a certain sparkle.
The best way for speakers to get feedback on the energy skills is by periodically videotaping themselves and noticing what they observe when reviewing the tape. Are the gestures repetitive, overdone, or too controlled? Does the movement seem purposeful and tied to a pair of eyes? Is the voice interesting or flat?
WHY
The answer to why one should get better at communicating is simple. It is the number one skill for business people today. It is essential for anyone who wants to move up the corporate ladder.
To be considered a good leader, one must be able to communicate effectively with senior level managers, one's peers and one's direct reports. Without clearly communicating the message, projects get scuttled, opportunities are overlooked and wrong decisions are made, costing the company market shares and profits. With "ordinary" communication skills, one's career stagnates.
Bottom line... To join the ranks of extraordinary communicators and presenters, be a continuous learner. Dedicate yourself to perfection. Pay attention to the many opportunities you have for growth.
All the best with your future business communications
Posted in
Presentation Training,
Public speaking,
public speaking training,
sales coaching,
Sales presentations,
Sales Training
by effectivecommunication.com.au
Communication is the effective sharing or transmission of facts opinions or emotions by two or more people. http://www.doortraining.co.in/solutions/training/leadership-management/communication-skills
Sanya saxena January 8, 2015 at 10:24 PM