Communication Skills: Clear, Rational and Positive

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Communication Skills: Clear, Rational and Positive

Your communication should always be:

1. Clear. People should always be able to understand what you mean.

2. Rational. Back your message with as many "reasons to believe" that what you say, is true and good.

3. Positive. Ensure that your message has a positive intent.

Let us look at each communication quality.

1. Make your communication clear, not vague.

Make your communication as clear, precise and accurate as possible.

Avoid ambiguity, vagueness or over-generalised language.

Vague, ambiguous words and phrases will cause miscommunication, confusion and error.

An example of vague communication would be: Please, send me those documents ASAP.

Can you see that ASAP denotes no definite meaning? ASAP is an example of vagueness.

On the other hand, clear, accurate and precise language will cause understanding and confidence to grow, in the mind of your listener.

Strive to be clear in your communication.

2. Make your communication rational.

Give good reasons to believe that what you say is true, right and good.

True means: Your message corresponds to the facts.

Right means: Your message corresponds to proper ethics.

Good means:The implementation of your ideas will result in progress towards your goals.

To make your communication more rational, use LOGIC.

Try to use a logical, scientific method of communicating your message. Provide a logical rational to support your ideas.

If you fail to provide a rational for your message, then nobody will have a reason to believe it.

If you do provide a logic to your message, them people will be more inclined to believe it.

3. Positive intent.

Try to imbue your communication with a sense of positivity.

This means be optimistic and friendly, with a can-do attitude.

• Optimistic means: You offer a vision of a better future.
• Can-do attitude means: you focus on what can be done and how: Not on what cannot be done and why.
• Friendly means: assuming a likeable tone, with signs of warmth, good humour and respect.

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

• Communication Skills: Clear, Rational and Positive
  Do people always understand what you mean, or do you leave ambiguities in your message? Learn how to make your communication clear, rational and positive, in order to engage people and get your ideas across and accepted.
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• 16 Ways You Can Use Questions
  Asking questions is the key to good communication. Take a look at the ways in which you can use questions to promote discussion, direct a conversation, inspire positivity and much more.
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• Communication Mistakes
  We are all aware of the importance of good communication in business, between colleagues as well as with clients. Take a look as these common communication mistakes and see if you need to correct any that you make.
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• A Course on Clear, Confident Communication
  A Course on Clear, Confident Communication Clear communication may be defined as the art of transferring an idea, or piece of information, from your mind, into the mind of another, without distortion, error, omission or misunderstanding: Meaning: the idea or piece of information, in the mind of the listener, at the...
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• Communication skills for trainers or presenters
  Communication skills for trainers or presenters As a trainer or presenter: You have three major goals. To make your messages and material: 1. Informative 2. Enjoyable 3. Memorable Let us look at each in turn: Informative Your delegate must find your material informative. In order for that to happen, you must...
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