Whether you are a CEO managing teams of people, an employee looking to boost your career, or a freelancer pitching to important clients, one of the biggest challenges you face is getting your message across in the clearest form possible.
When it comes to communication, and it does not matter which sector you happen to be working in, I have always felt that the way in which you deliver your message is just as important as what you are actually trying to say.
In other words, you can come up with the most insightful and innovative thoughts but if you deliver them in an ineffective manner then it is likely that no one will take it in. To put it another way - if your content scores 7/10 and your delivery which scores 9/10, this can work a lot better than 9 for content and 7 for delivery.
Take presentations for example. I always speak about the importance of research and preparation, but at the same time you cannot allow your entire manner to be dictated by your notes. I remember when I was first invited to give a speech; I had written everything down and practically read off my cards.
Someone I knew was sitting in the audience and afterwards they told me my presentation was boring, stale and monotonous. His words stung at first but I then saw another speaker at the same event - he was engaging, interactive and really drew people to him. His content was of a similar standard to mine but he was far more compelling. I realised then that I had to work on my own style - which shows that being a good communicator can be learnt. 'Practice makes perfect' may be a cliche but it is particularly true in this regard.
One of the key things to remember is steering clear of jargon. You can still convey difficult ideas and concepts by using straightforward and concise language. In my experience, jargon can be a comfort blanket to hide behind, rather than an effective way of communicating ideas. I always ask myself if anyone could understand the message I am trying to get across. If the answer is no then I would take another look at what I'm saying.
While you want to be engaging and interesting, never forget that getting the message across is at the heart of all communication. Don't go too far the other way and let over-complicated presentations and jokes get in the way.
Of course you also have to tailor your approach depending on the audience and format. For example, it may be inappropriate to be overly relaxed in an important pitch to the CEO of a client, but if you are presenting something to members of your own department you may be more laid back.
A similar approach should be taken with written communication as well. Social media, email and the internet have slightly changed the rules and at times there is a more casual approach. This is perfectly okay, but as I mentioned earlier, you have to keep the audience - or in this case the recipient - in mind.
Finally it is always worth checking and double checking anything that you write or put together as a presentation. There are many high-profile example of brands that have suffered great damage because they have said or written things which were inappropriate or controversial.
Thinking about what your message is and how you are delivering it can go a long way to becoming a successful communicator.
No comments:
Post a Comment