What is a Good Communication Style?

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

What is good communication style?

Definition: A good communication style is one that is:

• Relaxed
• Clear
• Credible
• Persuasive, and with a
• Positive intent

Nelson Mandela, during his later years, epitomises the concept of a good communication style. Mandela is perceived to be someone who communicated in a clear, credible, persuasive manner and he seemed to have a positive intent towards all.

That combination of communication styles has real power, which you can tap into.

Let us look at each style in turn.

Relaxed.

It is important to appear relaxed.

Even if you are not, try to appear relaxed.

If you are panic-stricken, then you will not attract many followers.

At all times, moderate your voice, keep a reasonable volume, pitch and pace.

Breathe deeply, relax your muscles and give yourself time to think.

Clear language.

Strive for accuracy and clarity in your use of language. Remember that every idea can be expressed using communication, ranging along a continuum from "clear, accurate and precise" at one end, towards "vague, unclear and ambiguous" at the opposite end.

When you are speaking or writing, strive to be clear, accurate and precise, in your choice of words.

For example, rather than say "Positive attitude", you might be more explicit and say, "Optimistic and confident".

Rather than say, "He was a bad influence" you might be more explicit and say, "He was dishonest and lazy".

Communicate exactly what you mean by using precise and accurate language.

Credible.

It is not enough to be clear, you also must be credible. Being credible means backing your statements with hard evidence, observations and facts. You need to demonstrate that your ideas are based upon a clear identification and a proper evaluation of reality.

Be a fact first communicator.

Persuasive.

It is not enough merely to be a "relaxed, clear, fact-first communicator". You need to be persuasive too. And to be persuasive you need to appeal to their emotions.

You can persuade people emotionally by recognising there are three major motivators: Desire, anger and fear. These are the big three emotions.

So, if you want to persuade people to act, remember they will act if they want (desire) it enough, or if they are angry enough, or if they are frightened enough.

Notice that desire is a positive emotion, and that anger and fear are negative emotions.

Therefore, we recommend using their "desire for a better future" as your primary method of persuasion. Again, think of Mandela and you will see he used visions of a better future to incentivise his political message.

Positive intent.

It is important that your message is backed by a positive intent towards others. Meaning, your message should not violate the rights of others, nor should your message induce others to violate other people's rights. By this I mean the right to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness.

As far as possible, make your communication style relaxed, clear, convincing, persuasive and designed to help people improve upon their current situation.

That would be a good communication style.

Communication Skills Quiz

Try our quick quiz to discover where your management communication skills are strong, and where they are not so strong.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Your Comments

Further Reading in Communication - Clear Communication

• Communication Skills Training: Objective and Subjective Language
  Objective and Subjective Language It is important to distinguish between two kinds of language: Objective language and subjective language. Every day you experience your "personal experience". You have to experience YOUR experience of an event. But isn't it true that YOUR experience of an event, may be very different to the...
  Read Article >
• Why we love logic
  To be successful and achieve your goals, you must act on logic and be rational when dealing with people.
  Read Article >
• Clear Communication
  Clear Communication How would you rate yourself as a clear communicator? Do people always understand your message? Or when you speak, do you suffer the problem of other people NOT properly understanding your exact meaning? You need to develop the skill of clear communication It is important that you do, because...
  Read Article >
• How can I improve my communication skills?
  How can I improve my communication skills? Do you have problems expressing yourself, verbally? Many people do. Many people have problems finding the words to express their thoughts, ideas, opinions and feelings. This lack of verbal expression is a problem since, to achieve your goals, you need to gain the cooperative...
  Read Article >
• Communication Styles
  Communication Styles You could define "Good communication skills" as "the ability to accurately transfer information and emotion to /from the minds of others". And as a leader-manager, you need to be good at both, i.e. Explaining facts Explaining feelings A Thought Experiment: If you were to make a list of twenty...
  Read Article >