Communicate for success!

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

What do most people do? Communicate or complicate?

Communication in modern society has become a passion and for some it is a fashion.

There are organisations that teach the fundamentals of communication and offer training and skills development. But most people who are good at it are people who have mastered the art of communication through self-skill development. It's a known fact that good communicators have an edge over the rest.

Common mistakes by business leaders and academics

Most people seem to think it's necessary to use big words, technical terms, and complicated sentences to make themselves to sound knowledgeable - no matter if the listener understands it or not.

Many of our local business leaders and academics often use jargon and terms that are unheard of or are rarely used.

What happens as a result is that you compromise on clarity and content of the message by attempting to show your language proficiency.

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

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

Even within the same company, I have come across a lack of understanding and misinterpretation across the hierarchy. Lack of communication causes many operational issues which lead to underperformance. The cost of 'lack of communication' can be huge, though not measured or quantified by most organisations.

The art of 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 of time. 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 are able to occupy the listener's mind the greater the chance of causing the anticipated change or getting a decision in your favour. When you communicate, you want your listener to 'see' as well as 'hear' what you are saying. 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 polls down to one practicality you know if you don't ask, you don't get.

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

Be careful not to emulate the wrong person

The younger generation is in the habit of emulating 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 to 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.