Imagine that your communication skills have improved to the point where you understand exactly what is expected of you, and those around you understand exactly what you are saying.
By improving your communication skills, simply, you see the following impacts in your daily life:
- Reduction of your stress;
- Simplified relationships;
- Increased sense of satisfaction;
- Increased overall productivity;
- Improved battery life.
In other words, improving your communication skills opens up opportunities for positive impacts on you and your environment!
Okay, you know all that.
Before you start reading the tips below, take a moment to compare what you’d like to be from a communication standpoint, and the results you’re having right now.
What are the 2-3 elements you would like to improve?
What would be the impacts of improving these communication-related elements in your life – for you and your environment?
I invite you to read the following with the answers to the above questions in mind.
Step #1 Recognize that there are multiple communication styles
You notice that some give a lot of details, talk for a long time, others are directive, emotional, patient, impatient, question, listen, talk. The different communication behaviors are usually grouped into a few styles. This helps to understand oneself and others.
Here is a classification of 4 styles as well as a brief description.
Analytical communication style “Let’s get back to the facts.”
This type of communication is used by people seeking to influence the thoughts and actions of others by taking the time and means to convince. They are focused on analysis, planning and control.
You can rely on these people to know all the details of a situation, according to logic and order, and less to manage emotions.
Often perceived as “cold”, it will bring you back down to earth!
Directive communication style: “What are we waiting for?”
These people communicate directly and often show impatience in discussions that go on for a long time. They are based on the concrete facts and the decision.
You can count on them to be convincing and direct, less so to patiently take the time to listen to the other person.
They can be perceived as focused on action, not on reflection!
Conciliatory communication style “You, what do you think?”
These people are adept at reconciling different points of view and are sensitive to the opinions of various individuals.
You can count on them to create compromises, take the time to listen, less to decide or structure interviews.
They can be perceived as people of compromise and consensus who avoid conflict.
Facilitator Communication Style “Is there a problem? Let’s go!”
These people communicate easily with others. They seem passionate, enthusiastic and demonstrative. They pay little attention to practical details and want to solve problems as a priority.
You can count on them to be open and communicate easily, less so to be calm and very specific in their expectations.
They can be perceived as dynamic and unstructured, rather enthusiastic!
You can identify with more than one style depending on the context.
Compared to the questions at the beginning of this post, how can a better understanding of the different communication styles contribute to improving your impact?
If you want to have a little fun with this concept, take a few moments to try to find the communication style of someone you meet almost every day. Adapt your way of communicating and see.
You should already see a noticeable improvement in your exchanges!
Step #2 Listen Better
Knowing how to listen to others is the most important part of communication.
What do you think about while others are talking to you?
- Are you judging yourself? Don’t you think you’re good enough, prepared?
- Are you judging your interlocutor? Is he not good enough, prepared, competent enough?
- Are you putting pressure on yourself thinking that depending on your professional position you owe it to yourself to know all the answers?
Be aware that your beliefs colour your communication style. That’s what makes you listen to answer and not to understand. If you talk to me about a business development problem and I think of a solution for you, I’m out of touch right? I don’t listen to you, I listen to myself…
Turn down the volume of your inner voice!
Ask questions, rephrase. Take an interest in what the other person is saying. Don’t focus on yourself, but on the other person.
Step #3 Express yourself better
Once you know yourself better, that you listen better, the next step is to express yourself better.
- Define your target: what do you want your interviewer to remember?
- Choose: what does your interviewer need to know about the context to understand?
- Adapt: What is the best language and communication style for your target to be reached?
- Validate: “What did you understand?” The nuance with the question “Did you understand?” is very important. If you ask “Did you understand?”, chances are that the answer will be “yes” without further explanation. If you ask “What did you understand?” you will receive explanations. Then, you will be able to validate if the target has been selected.
This requires preparation before communicating effectively.
Conclusion
To simply improve your communication skills and make a better impact, recognize that there is more than one communication style, really listen and express yourself to make yourself understood.
It’s up to you!
This article is also on LinkedIn
