Send to KindleThe world is an uncertain place. Anything that happens to make things look worse is annoying, and even frustrating. How you communicate will decide whether your audience thinks you are giving good news or bad news, whether they will listen to what you have to say, and whether they will believe in you. Anything that makes the world look better is not necessarily a cause for celebration, but don’t over think this.
When I was reading Carol A. Fleming’s book, I was struck by how much easier it would be and how much faster things would move in the workplace if we all just communicate with confidence.
If you are tense or hesitant when you communicate, your audience will conclude one of two things.
- There must be something wrong, so they tend to get tense and hesitant.
- They sense you are not very confident. This will evoke a range of emotions, ranging from mistrust, irritation, to downright anger.
Just as some people use heart monitors when jogging, every person in the workplace should be given a device that can be work on the wrist, showing how their voice is coming across to their listeners. Now that is a product idea! Wonder if there is an app for that…
The possibility in communicating effectively, even if one is not feeling confident is worth considering. Uncertainty is ground for creation and certainty is ground for reaction. The way we are being speaks louder than what we say. For sure. However, even if one isn’t feeling confident, one can create a space within to communicate effectively. Of course, the app is a good idea. I would get one.
The keys are to insert filters between thought and speech (be mindful) and get trained. Speaking is a learned skill, might as well learn the best practices before getting “creative!”