Businesses Rise and Fall Because of Their Communications.

how we present, receive, and interpret information can change the entire direction of our business

Communications often go misunderstood because of minor faults.  These faults lie in no single person.  It’s rarely the medium that causes the communications missteps.  But how many of us have completely misunderstood a text message because we couldn’t hear the person’s tone of voice? Or had an unnecessary heart attack over an email because your colleague simply worded it weirdly?

Since we’ve all endured these moments in business, we’re breaking down nine ways you can cut out the misunderstandings, efficiently handle conflict, and streamline your communication in your business and beyond.

1. Listen Before You Speak

When we hear the word “communication”, we often think of talking. But we can easily forget that there are multiple types of communication.  Whether verbal, non-verbal, written, visual, and what can be the most important form, listening.  Too many times, as business owners we forget that listening is more than half the battle. As leaders, we are so quick to speak, constantly thinking of what we will say next, always looking to move things forward. But, we run in circles when we fail to listen to the party or person we are engaged with. We must never attempt to only push push our own agenda. Problems are solved quicker with less headache and frustration when we truly listen, consider their ideas, and collaborate to find a solution together.

2. Be Clear With Your Point

Clarity is paramount for entrepreneurs.  Whether we are speaking, or writing, or presenting, we have to ensure our audience can receive, and embrace, what we are communicating.  We can even find ourselves overthinking what we are trying to say. Fumbling over our words, going out on tangents, and over communicating can hinder getting our message across. Before heading in to that meeting or conference call, make notes, jot down the important points that you want to convey, even make some bullet points of what you want to communicate to help ensure clarity of your communication. Clearly communicating the main keys, while being concise and timely helps everyone to achieve their goals.

3. Get Comfortable Speaking In Front Of Others

Feel nervous speaking up at meetings or presenting your projects? There is truly only one answer to this issue. Practice (cue Allen Iverson) Yes! Practice makes perfect! The more you practice, the more you push through when you’re nervous, the more comfortable you will become as a speaker.  Start out in your mirror by yourself.  Then, move to speaking in front of a few friends.  Graduate to a small group, and then take your talents to the main state.  It can feel like jumping into cold water. Yes, it’s shocking at first, but eventually you adjust and warm up to your environment. At your next opportunity- we encourage you to make that jump!

4. Consider Your Delivery

Feel like your ideas are constantly getting shot down? It may not be what you’re saying, but how you are saying it. Trust and believe there is truth to the saying, “It’s not what you say, but how you say it.”  We often wish this wasn’t the case, but we have to work within the parameters of truth and reality.  Ensure your delivery is loaded in respect and consider the perspective of your audience.  These easy adjustments can get move you past your roadblocks.

5. Make Room For Constructive Criticism

Growth is rooted in feedback. It is vital that you can give and receive constructive criticism in as an entrepreneur.  The success of your endeavors depends on it.  (in your business and at home!) This is where vulnerability comes into play- take criticism without allowing it to harm your pride. The critique is not of you personally, so don’t take it personally.  However, in the same light, make sure you are giving helpful and constructive feedback to your colleagues and partners. When you must relay a negative assessment, do it in a way that produces the desired results without instilling shame or insult.

6. Remember Past Conversations

Nothing is more frustrating than having the same conversation over and over. NOTHING!!! Ask us how we know!!  LOL – When you go to meet with clients, when you interview prospects, when you speak with vendors, take notes. Write down main points, what will be placed on your to-do list, and details for future projects. Allowing a task to fall through the cracks because you simply forgot never feels good. Check up on company goals, maintain a steady progress, and keep projects written down and organized. This will make all the difference in your success.

7. Learn Your Team’s Communication Style

Everyone communicates differently. Like seriously! Everyone communicates differently. We talk more about that here. One person might use Slack as their main communication channel, while another may prefer to meet face to face, and others might want to use facebook messenger. Learn what works best for each team member, and do your best to meet them where they’re at.  If nothing else, at least come together as a team and decide which communication channel you’ll use collectively.

8. Work On Written Communication

Writing in business typically means you are conveying information over to another party. In this it’s vital you are clear with your message. Put yourself in the shoes of your audience and consider ways to best word your message.  Remember it’s not about how you presented the info, it’s about how your audience received the information.  (we made this one short on purpose – lol)

9. Keep An Open Mind

Too often, leaders hire teams that think, talk, look and act just like them. While this may “feel” right, it can hold your company back from growing.  Diversity of thought, culture, and perspective promotes innovation, cohesiveness, and understanding.  It helps entrepreneurs to be sure they will have successful relationships with clients that are different from themselves. Having a diverse team, and fostering a space for various ideas and opinions will create so much more opportunity than you could ever believe. Make sure everyone in the room gets a chance to be heard, and embrace ideas that are different than your own.