Everyone communicates. Not everyone communicates effectively.
They use poor prose, ineffective examples, or they drone on and on. Little do they realize what they’re doing to the people they lead, communicate with, and live with.
They’re not really communicating. They’re giving information. And they’re leaving people feeling empty and unheard.
Photo by Jason Rosewell on Unsplash
You can change this for yourself and those you lead. You can develop effective communication skills that will skyrocket your effectiveness and help you communicate clearly.
7 Unstoppable Communication Techniques
To improve your communication skills, look at these unstoppable communication techniques. Each technique will help you become the communicator you’ve always desired to be, but maybe struggled to live out. By applying these techniques, you’ll find people understand what you’re trying to say, listen to you, and help you reach your goals.
1. Think WIIFT:
When we talk, we try to think of what’s in it for us. That’s the wrong line of thinking. Instead, we have to think about What’s In It For Them.
By focusing on what your target will get from the communication, you can help them understand why they must listen. Giving them a reason to act that’s in their best interest in one of the keys to effective communication.
2. Be brief:
There are people who love the sound of their own voice. They’ll go on forever if you let them.
That’s not you. That’s also not the sign of an effective communicator. Learn the art of brevity. Talk and share only as long as it takes to get the point across. Blaise Pascal is known as a French philosopher and mathematician. In one letter, he wrote, “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” The same goes for your communication. Learn to be brief and to the point.
3. Tell a story:
Stories stick; stats don’t. This is a quote from Chip Heath in his book Made To Stick.
We overwhelm people with stats. We believe people need to know all of the facts. They don’t. Or, maybe they do and we can do better.
Instead of giving stats, put those stats into a story. Craft something exciting and engaging from the stats. When you do, people will remember what you said.
4. Know your audience:
There’s nothing worse than trying to communicate with someone you don’t know. I’m not saying you have to be best friends with the person, but knowing something about them helps you to communicate better.
Find out their likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc… You will be able to relate and connect better with your audience (whether it’s one person or one thousand) when you know them.
Take the time to find out what you need to know about who you’re communicating with. It will be worth the time spent.
5. Practice what you want to say:
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Toastmasters and Team World Vision, it’s that I need to practice what I want to say before I say it. The more I practice, the better I am able to communicate.
I recently had to present an opportunity to my church. I invited members to take on the task of running a half or full marathon. That’s no easy thing! But, through preparation, I was able to deliver an effective presentation.
The more you prepare to communicate, the better you’ll be. Prepare and practice to become a communication master.
6. Listen:
Communication isn’t strictly you talking. Instead, communication is a two-way street.
Watch for your partner’s body language. Listen to what they’re saying verbally. Be mindful of the other person.
Give an opportunity for the other person to talk. They have something to communicate, too.
7. Watch other communicators:
Want to truly improve your communication skills and become unstoppable? Watch and observe other master communicators.
They’ve trained, studied, and presented multiple times. They know how to communicate. Learn from them like you would a mentor.
Pick and choose what you find to be effective. Piece it into your communication toolbelt. Their tips and tricks will benefit you.
Become Unstoppable
Apply these 7 communication techniques and you’ll become an unstoppable communicator. Those you talk or present to will perk up and take notice of what you have to say.
Communication is more than the words you say. It is the way you say it, who you say it to, and understanding what you want to get across.
Never stop improving your communication skills.
