Success Through Communication

Success Through Communication

Do you think, you would benefit if you were to develop your communication skills?

Since we all succeed by means of team work, communication is a vital skill to master.

Communication may be defined as: a transfer of information and/or emotion.

Communication as the transfer of information

These are the logical elements of your communication. The types of information you need to communicate are:

1. Facts.
2. Figures.
3. Technical information.
4. Proof that your ideas are right.

Communication is also the transfer of emotion. These are the emotional elements of your communication. The emotions you need to communicate are:

1. Optimism.
2. Friendliness.
3. Enthusiasm.
4. Fun.

In order to get the best from yourself and others work to improve your communication skills.

Communication Channels

There are three channels of communication:

1. Words:

Logic: facts, figures, information and proof.

Rhetoric: Enthusiasm, vision, motivation, positive emotion.

2. Tones:

Voice tones: Loud or quiet. Fast or slow.

3. Visual impact:

Body language: How you appear.

Work habits. How you act.

Score yourself out of ten for each of the following seven questions

1. How would you rate your ability to transfer facts, judgements and information FROM your mind to the minds of others, without any misunderstanding, omission or error? Do people always understand you, (Score higher); or are there frequent examples of other people not understanding what you mean to say? (Score lower).

2. How would you rate your ability to gain information from the minds of others? Do you ask the right questions, and do you listen well to the answers? Or are you sometimes not as attentive as you think you should be?

3. How would you rate your ability to handle words? To what degree would you say you have, The Gift of the Gab; or To what degree are you highly articulate?

4. What emotions do you think you inspire? Do you inspire positive emotions in the minds of others around you? Do you tend to inspire feelings of optimism, cooperation, and friendly good humour? or do you tend to depress or upset people? Are you annoying?

5. Are you able to handle conflict situations in a constructive positive way, or do you find conflict situations stressful, or difficult to handle well?

6. Generally, how would you rate your body language? Posture, gestures, expressions?

7. How would you rate your voice tones? Voice volume, pitch, accent, variability?

What did you score high on? What did you NOT score high on?

Is there anything you think you need to improve? If yes, then what?

Vocabulary

You have three layers of vocabulary.

1. Full vocabulary. All the words you know.
2. Active vocabulary. A smaller number of words that you actually use.
3. Speech habits. An even smaller number of words you use often.

Speech habits

Speech habits are words or phrases that you use habitually, every day, without even thinking about them. Some people have some good speech habits. Which is splendid. Others have bad speech habits. Which is a bit crap.

Bad speech habits:

• Sort of thing. (I went down the park, sort of thing. I had a go on the swings, sort of thing).
• Is'n't 'alf. (I really like it. It isn't 'alf good.)
• Crap. ( I know you think it's all crap).

Have you got any bad speech habits? Think about it and name them here.

Good speech habits

Five polite phrases you need to incorporate in your good speech habits:

• Yes, please.
• No, thank you.
• Would you mind if we ....?
• Would you please ....?
• Thank you very much for X. I appreciate it.

In addition, show interest in anything that strikes you as worthy of honest praise.

People like praise. Give people what they want, and they will love you for it.

Communication Skills Training

Communication Skills Training

Do you ever think to yourself, "I know what I mean, but I can't explain it"? You need to be able communicate facts, feelings, information and ideas, in a clear, professional and confident manner. If you want to learn more about our communication skills training, please click here.

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

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Further Reading in Communication - Clear Communication

• Notes on winning by Arnold Schwarzenegger
  It's about living. Not just existing! Wise words from one of the most successful people in the world.
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• Six Top Tips to Improve Your Communication
  Don't be misunderstood! Make it your mission today to improve your communication skills with your colleagues and friends. Here are our top tips to help you achieve this.
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• How to Communicate More Clearly
  Don't run the risk of being misunderstood. Improve your chances of success, in both your career and personal relationships, with these four simple but effective ways, to improve your communication technique.
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• Investigative vs Ordinary Conversations
  Conducting investigations entails the skill of adeptly gathering and analysing information to unearth facts, resolve issues, and arrive at informed decisions. It's imperative for professionals to master the art of framing conversations accurately.
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• The Most Important Question
  Many people speak in vague terms, or they don’t make themselves clear, so don't be afraid to ask them for clarification. It is dangerous to guess their meaning; ask the all important question before jumping to conclusions.
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