What Does It Mean To Be A High Level Communicator?

In meetings today, getting talk time can be a challenge. Often there are levels of seniority and cultures that do not promote just anyone jumping in to speak. So when you speak, you must make sure you make a comment that will have some teeth in it. One that will resonate with the rest of the team and ideally one that will leave them feeling you contributed something of value. After all, you are at the meeting for a reason: what you think and contribute is valued by your colleagues.

I coach my clients to answer the following question: “What does it mean to be a high level communicator?”

Here are the three key aspects:

  1. The ability to give a 360 degree perspective. Picture yourself looking completely around you, what are you seeing and hearing? Visualize yourself three feet over the group in the room, literally. What comment will you share that shows you see where the momentum of the group is going?  For example: “We’re talking about creative ways to offer the team more support.  I heard three different ideas that we agree have some real merit.”
  2. The ability to give an editorial. An editorial refers to a comment that you make based on your experience, perspective, opinion, and recommendation. For example: “From what I’ve observed in meetings with Tom’s and other management teams, I’d recommend we aim for a 30-day transition.”
  3. The ability to synthesize and integrate what other people are saying. Show you are an active listener by adding a comment that weaves together themes or strands of what individuals may be saying. “Using Catherine’s research on past campaigns and Dylan’s ideas on marketing, we could create a new model that will accomplish our goal to save time while offering more support to the team.”

Adding a comment that shows you have thoughtfully listened and integrated what is being discussed is not too hard to do.  However, it takes focus.  It takes mindfulness. You must be present in the moment and really pay attention to what each member is contributing.

Try it: Imagine you’re in a meeting next Monday and a topic comes up that you are actively familiar with.  How can you increase the quality of your participation?

Be brave! Give it a try and watch the reaction of others when they see you as a person who speaks with confidence.

Spread the love

Author

MORE POSTS

How to Motivate Others

Become a more trusted and effective leader! In this 30-minute recorded lesson, you will learn the difference between inspiration and motivation. We will introduce six proven strategies and show you the unique Motivation Matrixthat you can put to use immediately to motivate anyone. Watch it now: https://speechimprovement.com/motivating-others-webinar-video/ Spread the love

Spread the love

Is Authenticity Overrated?

“To thine own self be true” from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, is one of the most famous quotes from The Bard’s works. The essence of these words has great staying power and meaning, especially now. Applause for authenticity When asked how they’d like to come across in their leadership roles, more clients than ever share that they’d like to be authentic, natural, and genuine. They want to be true to themselves – not phony, fake, put

Spread the love

Paraphrase When Communicating and Coaching Others

Paraphrasing is repeating in your words what you interpret someone else to be saying. Paraphrasing is a powerful approach to furthering the understanding of the other person and yourself and can significantly increase the impact of another’s comments. As coaches, we know paraphrasing is incredibly difficult because we often need to listen deeply, a skill you must purposefully cultivate. Despite appearing attentive, our minds are churning with various thoughts, beliefs, defenses, distractions, and redirections. The

Spread the love

QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?

Tell us what’s on your mind: