Post by Marie Sabatino on Mar 24, 2016 23:50:00 GMT
What are some of the characteristics of influential communicators?
There are a number characteristics and approaches to influential communication. A few of them that stand out for me the most, and as noted in the YouTube video with Chris Anderson, are being able to present yourself in an authentic way and finding a way to convey your thoughts and ideas as something original. As Anderson put it, “Make it yours.” To me, that in itself is a powerful statement. It’s easy enough to regurgitate someone else’s thoughts or ideas but to make something “yours” speaks to the importance of owning a message or idea as something that is close to your heart, your mind, and maybe even your soul.
What negatively impacts communication?
To me, one element that often negatively impacts communication the very, very most is: not knowing who your audience in. In fact, I’d go so far to say it can almost be insulting to come into a room with an agenda without first becoming familiar with who is in the room, why are they there, what matters to them, and why should they give a damn about what you have to say. So first, do your homework and know who you are speaking to. Next, find a way to infuse the language and perspective of the audience into your own message. Equally important, show an ability to humble yourself and keep things light or humorous if the situation allows for that. Last but not least, find a way to engage, invite people in, and open up a dialogue. People often want to be heard and contribute to a conversation, rather than sit back as passive recipients of knowledge or information. The more people are invited to join in, the more that buy-in and influence will be possible.
How can a leader ensure they are hearing the bad news as well as the good news?
A leader can send a message that it is ok to share bad news in a number of different ways, some of which may be more subtle than others. For example, when a leader is willing to expose some of one’s own limitations or vulnerabilities, it conveys an acceptance of imperfection, that we are all human, and that if the person in charge does not always have it all figured out, or make the best choices, or say the most perfect things, nor can that be expected of everyone else. Additionally, as the “Great Communication Secrets…” book points out, leadership is learning (Baldoni, 2003, p. 38). Often, even for great leaders, the learning process stems in part from an ability to listen. To that end, Baldoni (2003) goes on to describe the great, media giant, Katharine Graham, and former publisher of the Washington Post, in this way: “What she demonstrated was her willingness to learn from others. She was not threatened by the presence of brilliant people. In fact, she relished their company. And the lessons she learned helped to give her the confidence she needed to become the leader she was capable of becoming” (p. 38).
How can a leader ensure a message sticks?
A leader can help to make sure a message sticks by paying attention to the non-verbal communication messages. For example, in the YouTube video with Chris Anderson, I noticed that he used gestures and movement and eye contact very liberally. This is one way to attempt to connect with each person in the room in a more visceral way. It conveys passion and excitement and allows for greater engagement. Anderson also talked about the way storytelling and metaphor and analogies can help to create a more vivid picture that often leaves a deeper impression and “sticks” long after the speaker leaves the room.
What steps can you take to overcome objections with your message?
This is an interesting question because it’s very possible that objections to a message may not always be worth overcoming. For example, in the second YouTube that Lori shared with us, the speaker, Ken Robinson, talked about how dangerous it can be if you’re not prepared to be wrong. He argues that if we do not take the chance and allow ourselves the risk of being wrong, we may not, in turn, allow ourselves the possibility of coming up with something original. I thought that was a brilliant way of articulating the potential for creativity and innovation by exploring the concepts of what it means to be right, to be wrong, and to be open to this notion of objections or challenging the status quo.
What strategies can you use to be sure the audience is engaged?
There are a number of strategies that I would try to use to ensure that the audience is engaged. First, I would open up the communication in a “light” way, perhaps by sharing something personal, or humorous. Next, I would find a way to engage the people in the room, by either reflecting what I already researched or learned about them, or by opening up with a brief ice-breaker activity or fun introduction if the audience was small enough. Then, I would find a way to communicate my message by sharing some sort of story that connects to the topic in a vivid or visceral manner. Last but not least, I would keep in mind clarity, tone of voice, body language, facial expression, movement in the room, eye contact, to send a message that I am making an attempt to connect with every person in the room with body and spirit and mind. Well…. if only it always came this easily, right? One thing is for certain: the more you communicate to a range of audiences in a variety of settings the better you get at it!!
What does it mean to be an authentic presenter?
As noted earlier, and as Chris Anderson touched on, I think it helps to be original and “Make it yours.” The more you convey passion and excitement and a love for the topic or idea, the more your audience will want to make it “theirs” and be a part of this larger vision or purpose, too. Anderson goes on to say that, when we are being authentic, we are also expanding ideas and possibilities in the minds of the listener and in the larger world. And THAT is a pretty remarkable accomplishment!!
There are a number characteristics and approaches to influential communication. A few of them that stand out for me the most, and as noted in the YouTube video with Chris Anderson, are being able to present yourself in an authentic way and finding a way to convey your thoughts and ideas as something original. As Anderson put it, “Make it yours.” To me, that in itself is a powerful statement. It’s easy enough to regurgitate someone else’s thoughts or ideas but to make something “yours” speaks to the importance of owning a message or idea as something that is close to your heart, your mind, and maybe even your soul.
What negatively impacts communication?
To me, one element that often negatively impacts communication the very, very most is: not knowing who your audience in. In fact, I’d go so far to say it can almost be insulting to come into a room with an agenda without first becoming familiar with who is in the room, why are they there, what matters to them, and why should they give a damn about what you have to say. So first, do your homework and know who you are speaking to. Next, find a way to infuse the language and perspective of the audience into your own message. Equally important, show an ability to humble yourself and keep things light or humorous if the situation allows for that. Last but not least, find a way to engage, invite people in, and open up a dialogue. People often want to be heard and contribute to a conversation, rather than sit back as passive recipients of knowledge or information. The more people are invited to join in, the more that buy-in and influence will be possible.
How can a leader ensure they are hearing the bad news as well as the good news?
A leader can send a message that it is ok to share bad news in a number of different ways, some of which may be more subtle than others. For example, when a leader is willing to expose some of one’s own limitations or vulnerabilities, it conveys an acceptance of imperfection, that we are all human, and that if the person in charge does not always have it all figured out, or make the best choices, or say the most perfect things, nor can that be expected of everyone else. Additionally, as the “Great Communication Secrets…” book points out, leadership is learning (Baldoni, 2003, p. 38). Often, even for great leaders, the learning process stems in part from an ability to listen. To that end, Baldoni (2003) goes on to describe the great, media giant, Katharine Graham, and former publisher of the Washington Post, in this way: “What she demonstrated was her willingness to learn from others. She was not threatened by the presence of brilliant people. In fact, she relished their company. And the lessons she learned helped to give her the confidence she needed to become the leader she was capable of becoming” (p. 38).
How can a leader ensure a message sticks?
A leader can help to make sure a message sticks by paying attention to the non-verbal communication messages. For example, in the YouTube video with Chris Anderson, I noticed that he used gestures and movement and eye contact very liberally. This is one way to attempt to connect with each person in the room in a more visceral way. It conveys passion and excitement and allows for greater engagement. Anderson also talked about the way storytelling and metaphor and analogies can help to create a more vivid picture that often leaves a deeper impression and “sticks” long after the speaker leaves the room.
What steps can you take to overcome objections with your message?
This is an interesting question because it’s very possible that objections to a message may not always be worth overcoming. For example, in the second YouTube that Lori shared with us, the speaker, Ken Robinson, talked about how dangerous it can be if you’re not prepared to be wrong. He argues that if we do not take the chance and allow ourselves the risk of being wrong, we may not, in turn, allow ourselves the possibility of coming up with something original. I thought that was a brilliant way of articulating the potential for creativity and innovation by exploring the concepts of what it means to be right, to be wrong, and to be open to this notion of objections or challenging the status quo.
What strategies can you use to be sure the audience is engaged?
There are a number of strategies that I would try to use to ensure that the audience is engaged. First, I would open up the communication in a “light” way, perhaps by sharing something personal, or humorous. Next, I would find a way to engage the people in the room, by either reflecting what I already researched or learned about them, or by opening up with a brief ice-breaker activity or fun introduction if the audience was small enough. Then, I would find a way to communicate my message by sharing some sort of story that connects to the topic in a vivid or visceral manner. Last but not least, I would keep in mind clarity, tone of voice, body language, facial expression, movement in the room, eye contact, to send a message that I am making an attempt to connect with every person in the room with body and spirit and mind. Well…. if only it always came this easily, right? One thing is for certain: the more you communicate to a range of audiences in a variety of settings the better you get at it!!
What does it mean to be an authentic presenter?
As noted earlier, and as Chris Anderson touched on, I think it helps to be original and “Make it yours.” The more you convey passion and excitement and a love for the topic or idea, the more your audience will want to make it “theirs” and be a part of this larger vision or purpose, too. Anderson goes on to say that, when we are being authentic, we are also expanding ideas and possibilities in the minds of the listener and in the larger world. And THAT is a pretty remarkable accomplishment!!