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?
Your Spoken Word Is Not Enough
Think bigger. As a communication coach, I tell my clients all the time “I’m going to tell you something important: it’s not about you.”
It’s about your listener. How one successfully reaches a communication goal is by thinking about what tools will help you effectively get your message across. That means choosing the method that best resonates with your listener. Ask yourself “What tools will help us get from here to there?”
Thirty years in this business has shown me that a powerful and useful tool is gesticulating. Use your hands and body to emphasize and clarify the verbal messaging.
When you talk, you are communicating via two channels: audio and video. Verbally delivering credible information is not enough. The key is to align those audio and video components by focusing on your non-verbal messaging.
Here are the top three gestures to project non-verbal confidence:
Practice these and they will come more naturally to you. It’s worth the effort because you will be a more effective, more persuasive communicator.
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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?
More Speak with Confidence Tips
Tip: #1 Do you or someone you know struggle with ADHD and find it difficult to explain how or why you have done something?As an Executive Communication Coach, I have noticed more and more clients sharing their struggles with ADHD. Often, this can lead to not receiving credit for their work or having a hard time explaining to others how to replicate their process. If you resonate with this, try using a pen-and-paper mind map or audio recording app
QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?