Communication, vital for competitive edge

Communication in modern society has become a passion and for some, a fashion. There are organisations that teach the fundamentals of communication and offer training and skill development.

But most people who are good at it are those who have mastered the art of communication through self-skill development. Better communicators have an edge over the rest.

Common mistakes

Most people think it is necessary to use big words, technical terms and complicated sentences to make themselves sound knowledgeable and subject matter experts - no matter whether the listener understands or not.

Many local business leaders and academics often use jargon and terms that are unheard of or rarely used. By showing your language proficiency you compromise on the clarity and content of the message.

The fastest way to put your listener to sleep or get disconnected completely, is to talk to him in a language he doesn't understand. This is a common issue in Sri Lanka today. Sadly, this trend misleads the younger generation.

Issues

A major problem of communicating, particularly in the business world is understanding what the other person says in the right context. People in companies and industries don't often speak the same language.

Even within the same company, I have come across lack of understanding and misinterpretations across the hierarchy.

Lack of communication causes many operational issues which lead to under-performance. The cost of 'lack of communication' can be huge, though not measured or quantified by most organisations.

Communication

The most effective messages are those that reach the heart of the listener. Emotions cause change. If you can appeal to the emotions of your listener he will become more receptive to your words.

Think in pictures and use descriptive words your listener will remember which can influence the listener's thinking over a longer period. To illustrate your point, use stories that your listener can relate to or identify with.

This also helps the speaker to deliver with more conviction and confidence.

The more you occupy the listener's mind, the greater the chances of causing the anticipated change or getting a decision in your favour.

When you communicate, you want your listener to 'see' and 'hear' what you say. If not, the specific goal of communication at the time cannot be achieved.

Call for action

A message without a specific request is a wasted opportunity. If you don't ask for something specific the chances are that you will get nothing. It all comes down to one practicality you know of. If you don't ask, you don't get.

To determine the close that best fits with the objective of your message, ask yourself "What do I want from my listener?" the answer to that question should be your close. It can be a demand for action or a demand for re-action.

Emulation

The younger generation emulates others in everything they do. While learning from others is a good thing and a short cut to success, you need to decide on the right person to follow.

Don't be overwhelmed by the style, accent or the vocabulary used but carefully follow the content and context to ensure that it makes sense to the targeted listener.

If you want be a good communicator, be brief, simple, descriptive, relevant, powerful, emotional, persuasive and respectful to the listener - ensure that your communication

offers value to the listener and never make the listener uncomfortable or embarrassed.