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.