Tweet

Personal Education and Communication Pathways and Pitfalls

Guest post by: Jim Clemmer

Article Overview: There is no one best communication style or magical speak-by-the-numbers formula that will make you a compelling verbal communicator. However, if you master the following steps, you'll become an above average communicator and leader.

Personal Education and Communication Pathways and Pitfalls

"In general, those who have nothing to say contrive to spend the longest time in saying it." - Abbott Lowell, early 20th century American lawyer and president of Harvard University • There is no one best communication style or magical speak-by-the-numbers formula that will make you a compelling verbal communicator. However, if you master the following steps, you'll become an above average communicator and leader:

o Steven Covey's principle "seek first to understand" is an important starting point. In The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People he writes, "If you want to interact effectively with me, to influence me. . . you need first to understand me."

o Everyone is tuned into the radio station WIFM - What's in it For Me. Talk in terms of my - not your - interests.

o Keep it simple, direct, and conversational.

o Never hide behind a written speech that you read. We want to see and hear from the real you.

o Be clear what your communication objectives and main points are before you open your mouth. Start by giving them to me.

o End by summarizing what you've told me and outlining what I should do next.

o Illustrate your presentation with personal anecdotes, examples, and stories. Talk in the first person. Go light on generalities, theories, and philosophies.

o Where possible, support your main points with facts, data, or research.

o Use occasional touches of relevant humor (don't tell old jokes) to lighten things up and show your humanness.

o Prepare an outline of your key points.

o Use short, action-oriented words. Don't perpetuate polysyllabic obfuscation!

o Put passion and energy into your presentation. Keep linking back to the team, organization, or personal Context and Focus (vision, values, and purpose) that's most meaningful to your audience.

o Get reactions to what you've presented. Try to lead a discussion around your main points.

o Continually get feedback on your presentation skills, style, and approach.

• Take training in public speaking. Find safe environments and forums to practice and get coaching on your presentation skills. Increasingly, your speaking and presentation abilities (verbal communication skills) will determine just how effective a leader you will become.

• Do you keep your spouse or life partner informed? Would he or she call you a good communicator? You use the same pattern, frequency, and quality of communications with work partners. Set this as one of your improvement goals if it's an area that needs work.

• Return phone calls the same day or immediately the next morning. When you don't have an answer yet, call and say that you don't have an answer but you'll get back to them by a certain time. Then do it. On such leadership examples are trust and strong communication cultures built.

• How much do you communicate? What do you mainly communicate? What portion of your communications reflects your Context and Focus, strategic imperatives, and core measurements? Who says so besides you?

George Bernard Shaw once observed, "The greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished." It's an important reminder. Education and communication - like so many aspects of personal, team, and organization improvement - are never finished.

Related Articles
  Comfort Zones
  Do You "Park and Pray"?
  Home Business Expert: Benefits Of Personal Development Education
  Improvement Planning Infrastructure and Process
  Etiquette and Teen Texting
  Developing a Team or Organization Vision
  Mastering Change Through Continuous Growth, Learning, and Improvement
  How To Get The Best Internet Marketing Education! ~GUARANTEE YOUR FORTUNE
  Strategic Tips From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach To Improve Personal Communications
  What We Get is What We See
  Secrets to Success with Financial Education – Part 2
  5 Reasons Why Professionals Fail
  How To Find The Best Internet Marketing Education - Success Secrets Revealed
  9 Vital Principles of Communication
  Communication skills and personal development plan
  Personal Mastery And Effective Communication
  Why Transformation Efforts Fail
  Schooling vs. Education
  Edify Education to invest Rs 500 cr in 5 yrs
  Top 7 Tips to Real Estate Agents’ Success

Article Tags: leadership
Referred by: http://www.searchengineworkshops.com



Related Forum Posts
Re: LEADERS - Nice post, i like the Doers and the listeners comments from my handbook 8.5 HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LEADERSHIP? Planning Problem Solving Vision Innovation Leadership Emotional Intelligence Delegation Communication Self-Development Relationship Building Commercial Financial skills Personal Energy Ethics Transparency Even there I see that we are missing "PASSION"
Re: Need USD 3.3 M to win ROI 120% - Hello, My name is Muhammed Al Arajhi,Board member- Alrajhi Bank Saudi Arabia,head of operations Al-rajhi investment corporation United Kingdom and also a business investor based in London, United Kingdom,with a capital base of over $1.1b.I am seeking to expand my business interest and investment to your country in the following sector : Real estate, Banking, Oil and Gas,Insurance, Manufacturing, Aviation, Hotel , Communication, Entertainment, Education ,alternative energy , telecoms , media , humanitarian , mining , logistics , shipping , recycling projects and film industry projects.etc. With the recent hope of economic recovery in the United States and the world at large, one is poised to invest so as to reap the benefit of the future. Please contact me with your business summaries and complete documentation, if interested in a partnership deal,business loan or investment in new business . Regards, Muhammed Al Rajhi. contact me: alrajhi@gmx.com[/b]
Ivy League vs. Affordable school - To play devils Advocate .... Prestigious school vs. Education I can afford? Does going to a prestigious school gaurantee success? I'm sure it helps - imagine the contacts made - powerful I assume. Also there is the pressure of being an alma mater of a school where everyone else is driven to succeed by thier parents. But, what if you got the "Education you can afford". It's still education. You are forced to analyze, engage in relationships, manage your school mates, and deliver on deadlines. What's the common denominator when you get out of school? Is it the ability to take action? The ability to see the big picture and then take the necessary actions to bring a project to completion? There's that action word again! what do you think?
Re: Internet Marketing is the best business in the world - 17. Education is freely available
Re: Essential Leadership skills - Vision Values Mission Strategic Thinking Decision Making Communication Team Bonding People Development Coaching / Mentoring / Guiding / Grooming Presentation Thanks Robert


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

10 Golden rules to survive the Global Crisis

Attracting Passionate Employees

What is Give Back Marketing?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.