Communication Tips for Leadership - 11 of 15

Communication Tips (SERIES)

Tip #11. Think Twice, Speak Once

We can avoid confusing our audience by getting to the point as quickly as possible.  This less is more approach to communication is most effectively implemented when we have a clear communication objective.  A phrase to keep in mind might be “think twice and speak once.”

Think: How can I get to my point faster?

Speak: Focused message with clear objective.

Communication Tips for Leadership - 12 of 15

Communication Tips  (SERIES)

Tip #12.  Behind Door #3

Our audience can lose faith in us if we demonstrate an underdeveloped thought or behavior.  One way we can avoid this situation is by eliminating pre-determined solutions from our messages.  See below for some options.

Best Practices:

• Removing the “this OR that” wording — it creates two options when there could be many more
• Rewording “THE way to achieve that is…” to state “ONE way to achieve that is…”
• Using the word “options”

We hope this helps make your messages more open and appealing to your audiences.  Good luck!

Communication Tips for Leadership - 13 of 15

Communication Tips   (SERIES)

Tip #13.  Be Relevant

Sharing irrelevant information can make your audience suspicious and/or lose trust in you.  Clearly explaining why you are sharing the information helps remove the potential for confusion or mistrust.  The following will help you provide this clarity to your audience.

Filters:

• Why am I sharing this information?
• How do I see the audience applying this information?
• What do I want the audience to do as a result of this information?

Something to keep in mind is that we don’t want our audience to feel that they are being bombarded with information.  Doing this puts pressure on the audience to (1) make time to read the information, (2) think about it, and (3) determine if their time was well used reading that information.

Communication Tips for Leadership - 14 of 15

Tip #14.  Assume makes an…

Most customers are turned off when we assume to know their needs and how we can fill them.  We can be more effective at building a relationship if we avoid making assumptions and instead encourage a dialogue for deeper understanding.  Below is an example of how our communication style affects how we build relationships with customers.

Pitch:
We can redefine normal for your facility maintenance process.

Result: Conversation ends.

Dialogue:
We like helping redefine what normal is.
Can you help us understand what you think normal could be or should be?

Result: Conversation begins.

You’ll hear the warning “don’t throw up all over yourself” at Resicom offices frequently.  This is a way of saying don’t “word-vomit” about how great we are.  Limit what you say about the great things you do until you understand what great things the prospect needs done.  They will tell you… so listen up!

Communication Tips for Leadership - 15 of 15

Communication Tips (SERIES)

Tip #15. Focus

Messages that have multiple calls to action can be confusing for our audience. We can eliminate this confusion narrowing our focus on one call to action at a time. Be mindful of those things that can remove focus from the main objective of our communication.

Common Distractors:

• Large, prominent logo
• Footnotes of references
• Supporting information (put this in an appendix)

Even if one of our objectives is to increase the visibility of our credibility, we must be careful not to let this objective overpower our other communication objectives.

Communication Tips :: Overcoming Writer's Block for Blogs

We have important (at least we think so) things to say, but sometimes run into a wall for ideas of where to start.

I have created a “cheat sheet” that helps me generate ideas. Since each of my posts has a specific purpose, I have organized these categories to help get me unstuck.
Quick Note – There are a couple of filters I like to apply:

• Relevant to recipient, with hope of engaging
• Not “salesy” (sometimes hard to do)
• Specifically meet a goal

With that, I’d like to add posts specifically meant to:

1. Engage. Many of the posts will naturally create engagement. Sometimes I want to create optimal opportunity for engagement, so I will post information like: Having a Contest; Posting an open ended question; “Fill in the blank” type of question; Something fun, such as a Puzzle or Riddle.
2. Recognize Others. This is something specifically designed to acknowledge others: Tribute to mentor, vendor, client, etc.; Their Company – recognize their accomplishments/successes or their partnerships/alliances or their giving back/philanthropy; etc.
3. Recognize Ourselves. This is meant to acknowledge ourselves: Tribute to employee; Photos and Videosof our work, and our work environment; etc; our accomplishments – successes, partnerships/alliances, or philanthropy; Our Company – our purpose, core values, philosophy, culture, legendary stories; etc.
4. Educating the Industry. This is meant to push forward our thought leadership by posting: White papers; Case Studies; Compliance Info; Reports/Statistics; Re-posting of other’s content
5. Educate Consumers. This is meant to boost our social responsibility by posting: Solutions for common problems; Resources available; and Reports/Statistics;
6. Inform Industry. This is meant to further our goal of being the “go-to” resource for our industry by: Posting about Current Events of Industry such asConferences and seminars; Webinars; Trends; Recognition; etc.
7. Inform Community. Meant to further our goal of being a good source for our community by: Posting: Local News and Events.
8. Inspire. Meant to help people dream bigger by posting: Inspirational or thought provoking quotes; acknowledging legendary stories of service,etc.

I hope this helps you redefine your normal.