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How are you perceived?
By Lawrence Frank | April 23, 2008
Strong communication skills are essential for a business coach and advisor. Whether you are prospecting or working with your clients, what you say and how you say it can be the difference between success and failure. Many of my associates, coaches and clients have heard me say more than once, that “you can guarantee broadcast, but you can not guarantee reception.” I recently came across a very enlightening book that took this a step further. Dianna Booher writes in her book, The Voice of Authority: 10 Communications Strategies Every Leader Needs to Know:
Businesses delude themselves by thinking that the dissemination of information — whether on the Internet, through teleconferences or in meetings — is the same as substantive communication. Information is not communication
Some of the 10 areas Booher details in her book include:
- Are you correct? It is important to tell the truth without using cliches, lies and exaggerations. She points out that, “trust builds over time. It can be dashed in a flash. It repairs slowly.”
- Are you purposely unclear? While tact and evasion make civilization and camaraderie possible, “purposeful evasion as a rule over time — where harmony is valued above honest communication — destroys trust, erodes morale and lowers productivity
- Are you credible? There are five things that either contribute to or detract from people’s inclination to believe you. They include:
- Appearance — including dress, grooming and body language
- Language — words chosen and the ability to express oneself
- Likeability Factor — personality and chemistry
- Character — values and integrity
- Competence — skill and track record results
Her message is to think about how you communicate, show some humanity, be courteous and don’t be afraid to show some humility. It’s a good read.
Topics: Leadership and Communications, Marketing |
July 17th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Thanks for the heads up on Booher’s book. It sounds like a great read given our current information overload business environment.
Whether in person, on the phone or via the Internet (websites, blogs and email) the points you reference all hold true.
Again, thanks for the info.