Did you know that good communicators have higher self-esteem, make more money, and have fewer divorces than their peers?
Another study by the International Journal of Business Communication showed that the most important quality in a new hire is effective communication skills.
And the American Journal of Small Business conducted research that shows the two most important characteristics for successful entrepreneurs were oral communication and listening.
If you’re interested in learning how to be a better communicator, watch the video below. Or read the full transcript below the video.
In this episode of IN:60, we’re going to discuss the 3 most common challenges people face when it comes to communication, along with 5 communication skills you should have in order to be a good leader, a good employee, or even a good partner.
Also, I’m going to ask you to get involved by leaving your favorite communications tip or your least favorite communications problem in the comments section below.
If you do, I’ll send you a free digital copy of my latest book, Digital Marketing Growth Hacks.
Okay, ready to get started on this episode of IN:60? Let’s dive in.
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Alright, let’s talk about some of the challenges people face when it comes to effective communication.
I’ve identified 3 things you might be doing to inhibit good communication. Let’s see if you do any of these 3.
Challenge #1: Providing solutions before you’ve heard all the details. I know I’m 100% guilty of this, and it comes from a place of love, because I want to help people. But if you don’t allow them to express themselves first, the communication won’t be nearly as effective.
So be patient and listen to all of the data they need to provide before you offer solutions.
Challenge #2: Multitasking. Do you answer emails or multi-task when you should be listening to someone who is talking to you?
I know you do! We all have.
But studies show that we’re actually less productive when we try to multi-task. So put away the emails, stop cleaning up your desktop, and focus on the person who is trying to communicate with you.
Challenge #3: Avoiding bad news. If you’re a team leader, a manager, or just about anyone in an office environment, you might get exhausted by all of the problems you confront every day.
Look, none of us like bad news, but part of being an effective communicator is to have the maturity to handle difficult conversations dispassionately, objectively, and with a vision for a better outcome or solution.
It ain’t easy to do, but it’s an important part of being an effective leader or partner. So don’t avoid bad news. Accept it as an ordinary part of doing business. And then get on with the gettin’ on.
Okay, we’ve covered 3 challenges facing most people when it comes to effective communication.
Let’s talk about 5 things you can do to become a better communicator.
Tip #1: Question for clarification. This involves actively asking questions of the person who is trying to communicate with you. When I was younger, I didn’t do this because … and I’m almost embarrassed to admit this … I thought people would think I was dumb if I asked questions.
Actually, the reverse is true. People see that you’re smart for asking questions, so be sure to question for clarification. That’ll create a twoway street in your communication, which will improve its overall effectiveness.
Tip #2: Think backwards. This is a technique I learned from a mentor of mine named Jerry Brown. It’s essentially getting inside the mind of the person you’re talking to, and then working backwards from there.
By thinking backwards, you’re able to understand the receiver’s perspective on what it is you’re trying to tell them. When that happens, you build a connection that will improve the communication a great deal.
Tip #3: Mirror the person you’re talking to. Have you ever noticed that you feel more comfortable talking with someone who speaks at your pace, uses the same vocabulary you do, and has the same non-verbal communication you do?
Of course you have – when someone communicates the same way we do, we always feel more comfortable.
Here’s the good news — you can reverse that dynamic and use it to improve your communication skills.
If the person you’re talking to is soft-spoken, or, on the other side of the spectrum, super outgoing, then match their tempo, their tone of voice, and their body language.
By doing so, you’ll find that the person you’re talking to enjoys the conversation that much better and connects with you on a more meaningful, deeper level.
Tip #4: Listen with the back of your neck. This is a technique that Bob Burg, author of the Go-Giver series of books, podcasts, and Facebook Live episodes talks a lot about.
It’s a very tactile way of expressing the idea of being mindful and being present in your conversations.
If you find yourself drifting away from the conversation, remind yourself to listen with the back of your neck. It’s worked for Bob in his career. And it’s worked in mine, too.
Tip #5: Focus on how people feel. There’s an old line often attributed to Maya Angelou that says “People won’t always remember what you said, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.”
It’s an amazingly powerful statement and can be used as a way to improve your communication skills. How? Just keep in mind how the person you’re talking to is feeling about what it is you’re saying. At the end of the conversation – even a difficult one – they should feel a sense of satisfaction and closure about the communication.
By the way, here’s quick update for you – Maya Angelou wasn’t the person who originally said that. It was originally attributed to Carl W. Buehner in a book written in 1971. Hmmmmm. Interesting.
So there you have it. The 3 biggest challenges people face when it comes to communication, along with 5 tips to help you become a better communicator.
What’s your favorite tip? Or, what’s your least favorite communication style?
Make a comment below, and I’ll send you a free digital copy of my latest book written with 13 of the world’s best digital marketers called Digital Marketing Growth Hacks.
About the Author: Jamie Turner is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and CEO who is a recipient of the Socialnomics “Top Keynote Speaker” award (along with Tony Robbins, Ariana Huffington, and Richard Branson). He is also the founder and CEO of the 60 Second Marketer.