How well do you communicate? For a brief self-assessment, ask yourself the following questions (and be honest!): Do you get along with all your coworkers, your boss, your direct reports? Is it easy to talk to them? Are you successful in working with any “challenging” coworkers (we all have one!)? Does everyone understand what you mean the first time? If you use AI to generate content, does following an AI script work well in conversation?
Affect and Technology
Affect relates to the presentation’s general impression, the feeling it evokes. It’s like overhearing loud voices in the next room or getting “an impression” of what is happening. Affect refers to the openness, tension or mood of the experience. It is primarily intangible but a genuine and crucial part of communication.
The Technology of Communication refers to the specific procedure used to accomplish the presentation. What type of organization should be used? What vocabulary or jargon is appropriate? What persuasive approaches should be used? If it’s a team presentation, who should speak first? Is s/he an eloquent speaker? Technology carefully analyzes the specific skills required for effective communication. Do I have clear speech? Is my voice confident? Are my nerves under control?
A successful business presentation is directly related to the accuracy with which you prepare for both the Affect and the Technology inherent in the experience. Unfortunately, many “presenters” focus exclusively on their preparation and comfort level. In reality, the Affect and Technology required by the listener are equally important. A highly effective speaker is attentively conscious of the “listeners'” wants and expectations. The concept of Affect and Technology provides a viable way to analyze the overall experience critically.
Author
Authors
MORE POSTS
How Important Is That Impression to Meeting Your Goal?
How often do you think about your goal when you prepare for a high-stakes interaction? Is selling your company or product the goal? Are you looking to connect with potential partners or purchasers? Are you looking to build your personal brand and move upward in your career? Do you want to become a thought leader? Are you hoping to raise visibility for your company? Do you want to educate people about what your product can
Don’t Tell People What They Want to Hear
One of the quickest ways for a leader to lose credibility is to start telling people what they want to hear. It usually begins with good intentions. You sense what someone values. You notice what they want the answer to be. And you shape the message to match it. In the moment, it can feel persuasive. But it isn’t persuasion. It’s manipulation. Real persuasion works differently. It doesn’t tell people what they want to hear.
How Well Do You Communicate? A Self-Assessment
How well do you communicate? For a brief self-assessment, ask yourself the following questions (and be honest!): Do you get along with all your coworkers, your boss, your direct reports? Is it easy to talk to them? Are you successful in working with any “challenging” coworkers (we all have one!)? Does everyone understand what you mean the first time? If you use AI to generate content, does following an AI script work well in conversation?
QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?