Communication

We often hear that there are two parts to the communication viz.

• Speaking
• Listening 

But the story don't end there, the most important is understanding and closing the loop. 

Today the story is different because, we use technology to communicate. The tit bits of looking people in their eyes, etc. has little relevance when we use technology.  In today’s world, people are glued to their devices.  You need to meet them where they are, where they spend their time.

These days, people want to have a conversation, to connect.  They want to know that the person who’s dealing with them cares about them and has their back.  Genuinely. 

At times, we do not care for the person next to us, and is up and around making up lives of those miles away. 

The whole formula of how we deal with people has evolved, morphed, and changed. 

How does it affect you as a leader?   As a business owner? Or business professional?

As a leader, whether it’s your own business or the world, you’ve got to know how to communicate one to many. Why?   Because our interactions have adjusted and we don’t go out as much, making it hard to talk to big groups of people.  And you can’t talk to one after another, after another, you must understand the technology, be able to talk one to one and be able to lead one to many.

The other thing is this, communication that works is based on authenticity.  In other words, no more promises. People are sick of promises. They’ve been promised so much, and they know those promises are not steeped in reality. People don’t know who to believe.

And that’s why the third component is you must learn how to teach, how to be a great teacher.  Particularly if you have a business (or have kids) it’s important to be able to teach, teach what’s really true.  You can’t always believe what you’re watching on TV or social media.  You can’t always believe what’s going on in this crazy world, or even what’s taught in school.  So, who does that leave?  Life is a lesson, life is a school, business is a school filled with lessons.

So, who’s the teacher?

You & Me!

We!

If you’re going to be a leader.  Your communication and the way you communicate has changed quite a bit. It’s not about promising the future and inspiring people to be the best they can be. I mean, there will always be part of that, but it’s ego less. It’s understanding little voices. It’s about making it safe for people to work with you. It’s about not making promises, by talking one to many, being real, being authentic and teaching people how to empower themselves.

Now this is a broad overview, but communication has changed. If you understand these things or are just being aware of them, you will notice a few things. You’ll notice that the rapport you build with people, whether it’s at home, at work, out in the community; whether it’s sales, marketing, whatever.  It’s changed. So please don’t be left behind by the change.

This time has taught us how to connect better. It’s taught us the power and the importance of connection. And it’s also taught us how easily people get confused and distracted. Be a great leader that can give focus, co-create, and architect the future.  Do this rather than allowing people to be victims of the future.

Nobody’s looking for promises anymore.  What people want to know is what is our future? How do we create it? How do we work together on this? How do I have some buy in it? Give me the dignity, the respect to show that I have something to offer…Let me contribute.

Most importantly, manage the little voice.  The little voice in your head, because as Napoleon Hill says, that fear, which pervades our business and personal lives is rampant in the world today.  Fear runs amuck, there are around 8 billion people out there. Fear of poverty, fear of loss of income, fear of illness, fear of death, fear of criticism.  Franklin D Roosevelt said, “the only fear we have, is fear itself.” Now why did he say that during the great depression? He said that because economic strife is one thing that we can all get through. But when people panic and the fear comes up, the intelligence goes down.  People tend to people fight with each other, and they get depressed. And then, they don’t have the mental attitude, the resourcefulness, the resilience.   The Little Voice is the biggest one of all in your life, in your family, and in all your business dealings. If you can be the person that replaces fear with courage, then there’s hope.

If you want to be a great communicator, hopefully you’ll follow this formula.

Be an amazing communicator starting right now.