Sadie, your senior executive advisor.
In both life and business, communication is key. We must communicate with our customers, employees, contractors, vendors, supporters, disapprovers, family, and many more. The more effective the communication, the better the results.
We are all aware that there are many ways we can communicate but what tools can we use to improve the ending result?
- Body language is key. How you hold your arms, cross your legs, and your posture tell more about you and your state of mind than what you are saying. Many times, if your body language mimics others that helps elicit trust and commonality.
- Much of what you say goes unheard or un-retained. How can you help them make the most of what you have to say? Tell a story. People remember stories, lyrics, and quotes. Tell the most relevant and important information using stories, lyrics, and quotes to help them remember and take away the best parts of the conversation.
- Are you really interested in the person you are communicating with? If not, why should they waste their time? I have been in many meetings where I was being “sold to”. Not always fun, but they are unusually excruciating when the person “selling” does not listen to what I have to say. That frustrates me to know end and usually damages the relationship beyond repair without them even knowing. If you want the other person to feel that you are interested in them and what they have to say, simply ask questions of them & repeat what they are telling you. This reinforces that you are and are listening and care about what they have to say.