You’ve seen them in action.
You’ve seen those self-assured, engaging speakers, entertainers, and leaders, who captivate audiences and rally willing participants to support them. Perhaps you’ve heard a tear-jerking account, or two, of how they overcame unimaginable odds to become successful.
Maybe you’ve read book after intriguing book, article after compelling article, or white paper after persuasive white paper. You’re even convinced that those writers were born with such writing prowess and thus, they didn’t need to work hard on their craft to produce one bestseller after another.
Then you resigned yourself to the notion that you could never become like those communicators you admire because you’re an average speaker (on your best days) and a passable writer.
I get it. Self-doubt happens to us all and sometimes, we’re our harshest critics. Furthermore, when it comes to communication, we believe that we’re simply not gifted enough to be dynamic in our delivery.
Thus, the biggest myth about effective communication is that it’s an innate skill, and if you don’t have it, you cannot succeed, prompt action or trigger change.
If you think this way, then now is the time to change your attitude.
It’s true that some are born with the gift of the gab, and effortlessly regale others, while others easily craft enthralling stories. But even raw talent isn’t enough to become a brilliant communicator. With changes in technology and new trends that compete for the attention of audiences, if you don’t continually hone your craft, learn new ways of engaging your audiences, or equip yourself with the knowledge of your audiences’ preferences, you will fail to prompt action, despite your natural abilities.
Effective Communication is Critical to Success
As I’ve said elsewhere on this blog, communication is considered effective when it advances a purpose or brings you closer to completing a goal.
To achieve whatever goal, you must ensure that your intended meaning/reason for communicating aligns with the perceived meaning of your audience. In other words, there must first be shared meaning between you and the audience so that the message is understood, and that you’re both on the ‘same page’.
It’s only in this harmonious state that you’d be able to influence and persuade your audience while speaking, using rhetorical tools such as Aristotle’s pathos, logos, and ethos. Additionally, this blog’s three beacons of effective communication: simplicity, brevity, and clarity, are invaluable guides for helping you become more memorable in your general communication skills.
Because we live in the fast-paced information age and must differentiate ourselves from others to succeed in our businesses and careers, we’re all obliged to communicate effectively in our business circles. And it wouldn’t matter what your role is, or whether you wield influence in the corridors of power. You must communicate effectively to advance your goals.
Debunking the Myth
Nonetheless, there’s good news that I share in the video below, which levels the playing field so all professionals can communicate at their peak:
Effective communication skills are rarely innate. They can be learned.
So do the work. Start by critically assessing what your weak points are. For example, do you dread giving presentations, or loathe writing reports/emails? Do your nonverbal communication cues weaken your message or diminish your credibility? After you identify areas of improvement, take consistent actions to rectify the situation.
Therefore, to conquer the fright of speaking in public, join your local Toastmasters Club, and in your business circles, volunteer for speaking activities, even if the effort is modest. Do this consistently despite your phobia. You’d get better with practice if you’re open to constructive feedback.
To improve your business writing skills, read this article, brush up on grammar, and sign up for some of Feedspot’s top 20 business writing blogs. Read well-written materials, pore over books on writing, and start your own blog to challenge yourself to write regularly.
To master nonverbal communication, the most underrated aspect of communication, observe Mark Bowden of Truthplane, in action. As an author and a world-renowned expert in body language, he delivers insightful information on how to gain credibility and influence people with winning nonverbal communication. Follow him on LinkedIn at the very least, and watch his videos. You can learn a lot from him.
In a nutshell, avail yourself to the myriad free resources online including YouTube videos, TED talks, podcasts, numerous blogs and articles from thought leaders, experts, and even from ‘regular’ people who have improved their skills. If you need extra help, take courses, attend workshops/seminars or get a mentor. Actively acquire knowledge and practise what you learn.
Think of how you became fluent in a new language or how you learned to play an instrument. Mastery is derived from practice and discipline.
Conclusion
You needn’t be discouraged by average communication skills any longer. Take action today to begin your process of axe-sharpening, which will yield results if you stay the course.
Be prepared for brutal feedback along the way, but be reassured that you will improve in leaps and bounds.
And let me know when you begin to receive thunderous applause, standing ovations, swift actions to your requests, or when you create movements for your causes by inspiring and empowering people.
Then pass on what you’ve mastered, and help others become effective communicators as well.
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N.B: First image is courtesy of Stuart Miles, via freedigitalphotos.net. Video is courtesy of author. Second image is courtesy of Cooldesign, via freedigitalphotos.net.