HOW WELL DO YOU COMMUNICATE?

Do you say what you mean and mean what you say?

Here are nine ways to help insure that you do……

1. Know why you want to speak. What outcomes do you seek: understanding….cooperation…agreement…approval….acceptance…?
2. Make it brief. Everything you say and do should contribute to your desired outcome. Say and do no more than that?
3. Know what you want to say before you start talking. Rambling, repetition, or long pauses will cause your audience to wander to worlds of their own…or take up doodling.
4. Use words and phrases your audience will understand
5. Use motivational language that relates to their current needs and interests. Talk about: opportunity…recognition..belonging…satisfaction…love.
6. Avoid using “I” excessively; they’ll get tired of hearing “I”, “I want”, “I believe”, “I think”, I suggest”, and “I don’t”. Involve the audience in your comments.
7. Reinforce your words with your body language; project your feelings with your eyes, your face, your hand and arm gestures, your posture, and your tone of voice.
8. Involve your audience by asking them questions. Causing them to think turns them on and activates their brain cells.
9. Use “main ideas” words to help your audience organize their listening. “Our goal is to…”, “To summarize this point….”, “Remembering these two things…”