How Effective Communication Helps Your Business Grow

“What if I tell you, everyone has their own insecurities so they don’t have time to worry about how you appear to them.”

Mind blowing isn’t it? We often worry about how other people think, yet we didn't realize that they are the people too! They worry about how they appear in front of others as well. Therefore, let's speak freely and confidently on every opportunity.

After setting aside the first barrier of effective communication that stops most people from interacting naturally, let’s dig deeper on the definition and ways to utilize effective communication in our daily lives.

What is Effective Communication?

We communicate with other people all the time, with family, friends, clients, and even strangers. However, how well are we at expressing ourselves? Effective communication is not just to exchange information, but more on understanding and expressing the emotions and intentions behind the information.

People want to feel understood when they communicate with one another. When a speaker conveys a message, the listener has to listen carefully to gain its full meaning. Master this skill and you will be the person everybody feels comfortable sharing secrets to.

Benefit? Improved relationships with your spouse, children, or co-workers as you build greater trust and respect among them. This is the reason why many successful entrepreneurs are great communicators as well.

“All of us want to be listened to.”

The following skills are required for a person to become an elite communicator.

SKILL 1: ACTIVE LISTENING

Active listening allows you to discover the subtle intonations in someone’s voice for you to understand how that person truly feels, making it easier for you to connect with them. You will also be able to connect with the person in a deeper level, gaining trust and respect in the process.

On becoming an engaged listener:

1. Ignore the notification message

Modern lifestyle causes us to be distracted all the time. Instant notifications from social media, websites, advertisements, and so on make paying attention difficult. Hence, you should avoid checking on your electronic gadgets when someone is talking to you.

2. Focus 100% on the speaker

This is a no-brainer. If you are in a conversation, stay focused on this beautiful experience of human communication. Live in the moment so you can identify the subtle nonverbal cues that reflect what the speaker is trying to say. Just imagine having the ability to predict how the business appointment is going to end up 5 minutes into the conversation. It allows you to steer the conversation into your intended result.

Tips: Repeating their words over your head can help you stay focused while making you understand their message thoroughly.

3. Show your interest

We want to be heard, but no one wants to listen. By showing your interest in a conversation, a speaker will start to disclose more valuable information to you. This will help you to discover the reasons that hinder them in making decisions.

Tips: Nod occasionally, smile genuinely, have an open posture, meant every word you say.

4. Avoid interrupting or trying to redirect the conversation

Whether you are chatting with a group of friends or meeting new prospects for business dealings, you have to realize that communication goes both ways. Let the other person finish their turn, not only will they thank you for it, but you will appear as a polite and cultured person when you listen and not finding ways to interrupt.

Tips: If you are planning what to say next, you won’t be able to understand what the speaker wants to express.

5. Give feedback

Don’t simply listen like a low-budget robot. You can provide relevant feedback so the speaker will feel like he or she is being heard.

Tips: You can ask questions to clarify certain information such as “So, do you mean…?” or “Are you trying to say…?”

6. Set aside judgement

People eager to express themselves in a conversation. They might express different views which contradict yours. However, it is okay to not agree with the views of one another.

You should always reserve your judgement if you wish to understand the speaker. Only after you have successfully understood the speakers that you can choose to express your views on their opinions. If you execute it well, you might gain trustful friends who respect you as much as you respect them.

“I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything, if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening.”

Larry King, TV host extraordinaire

SKILL 2: PAY ATTENTION TO BODY LANGUAGE

Research shows over 80% of communication is through body language, and less than 20% is in the word you say. Hence, mastering the ability to detect body language is a valuable skill that can help build your business.

Body language includes facial expressions, body movements, gestures, posture, and the tone of your voice, basically everything that the speaker shows visually and audibly when they speak.

Advantageous: Connect with others easily, neutralize intense emotional situation, strengthen bonds with people

Tips:

1. Open body language such as standing with an open stance, palm facing outwards, maintaining eye contact, and so on are powerful moves to show that you want to connect with the person in front of you.

2. Stay calm and collected can encourage the other person to communicate more naturally and relax.

3. Enhance your verbal message by being touchy. E.g. patting a friend on the back while complimenting, or giving high fives when someone said something interesting.

Chris Hemsworth is a master at doing this.

Body Language: Reading

Be mindful of cultural differences

People from different countries or cultures tend to use different nonverbal communication gestures.

Look at body language as a whole

Don’t jump straight into conclusion over a single gesture or cue. Always analyze these clues as a whole, touching gestures, eye contact, tone of voice, and so on.

Body Language: Delivering

Use nonverbal cues that match up with your words

E.g., shaking your head doesn’t match with you telling the listener that you agree with their suggestion. In fact, the listener will find it not trustworthy since your gestures and words contradict each other.

Adjust your body language according to the context

Take into account the emotional state and cultural background of the person you’re interacting with. When communicating, certain techniques such as sarcasm might be received differently by a person that is happy or sad. E.g., your tone of voice should be different when you’re interacting with business prospects than when you’re addressing government officials.

Demonstrate positive body language

Start by feeling confident about yourself. To do that, you can walk into a room standing straight with shoulders back, smiling while maintaining eye contact, and delivering a firm handshake can make you feel more confident, do this repeatedly until it becomes natural to you. The positive body language you showcase can gain the respect and trust of the person you’re talking to.

“Hear the emotion behind the words.”

SKILL 3: MASTERING STRESS

When you experience stress, do things that can make you return to a calm state fast. Beside avoid saying things that you may later regret, you’ll also help to calm the other person. Only when you’re in a calm state that you’ll be able to know whether the situation requires a response.

Utilize UPSEC:

Use stalling tactics | Ask the speaker to repeat what they say or to clarify a statement to give you more time to think.

Pause | Silence isn’t necessarily a bad thing because pausing can make you seem more in control and comfortable with yourself.

Support | Provide a strong and concise example to support your idea. Follow up by gauging the listener’s reaction on whether you should continue.

Ends with a summary and then stop | Summarize your response and stop talking. The silence indicates you have proven your point.

Clear delivery | Be firm with your words but in a relaxed state of mind. Speak clearly while making eye contact. How you say is as important as what you say.

Neutralizing Stressful Situation

Life does not always go according to plan. When a conversation starts to get heated, you will need quick but effective ways to cool down the intensity so it will be easier for you to steer the conversation towards your destination. This is vital in any business and lives interaction.

Utilize HICAST:

Humour | Probably the most effective communication tool in any situation. When used appropriately, humor can relieve stress, generate positive feelings, and offer a variety of advantages to the person using it. When things get a bit heated, lighten up the mood with an interesting story or a joke. Comedians are the masters of humor.

Tips: Watch videos of Russell Brand to notice how he plays with words to bring positive feelings.

Identify | Notice whether you’re becoming stressed. Breathing becomes shallow? “Forget” to breathe? Hands clenching? All of these indicate that you are stressed.

Compromise | Find a middle ground. If the other person invests more in the matter than you do, it will be wise to compromise for the future of this relationship. Doing this will lower the stress level and allow the conversation to flow naturally. If you’re not comfortable with this technique, feel free to try other techniques listed here.

Agree to disagree | If things are about to get out of hand, move away from the tensed situation immediately by excusing yourself so the parties involved can calm down. Physical movement or finding a comfortable place are great ways to reduce stress quickly while you regain a clear mind.

Senses | When you are stressed, it is always wise to let yourself be distracted through sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, or movement. These distractions can help you to gradually regain a neutral state of mind.

Tips: Eating mints, breathing deeply, humming a song, or visualize a calming image that is meaningful to you can achieve this. Do note that each person is different, so you need to find a sensory stimulus that works best for you.

Take a breather | Go take a break to decide whether to continue a conversation or postpone it to later time.

“Communicate effectively by staying calm under pressure.”

SKILL 4: BE ASSERTIVE

Assertiveness is the quality of being self-assured and confident without being aggressive. It is a valuable skill mastered by the majority of influential figures throughout history.

Assertiveness makes for clear communication and can help boost your self-esteem, your image, and your decision-making skills. Being assertive means expressing your ideas, feelings, and needs honestly, in which it gives a sense of assurance to the listeners that result in gaining trust and respect from them.

Effective communication is about understanding the other person on their needs and wants. It works wonders in business and life.

Extra Info:

Value your needs | It is equally important for you and your listener. Learn to express them without disrespecting others’ rights.

Express negative ideas positively | Everyone loves to be the recipients of positive words. Remain respectful of others even when you are angry.

Value the feedback | Accept compliments graciously and confidently, identify the truth behind the criticism and learn from it, ask for help whenever you need it.

Learn to say “no” | Instead of forcing yourself, try to say “no” to things you are not comfortable doing. This is a form of respect not only to yourself but to others as well. It shows that you think things through before making any decision.

“Say what you mean, mean what you say.”

Assertive Techniques

Method 1: Emphatic assertion

Emotion and the feeling of being taken care of is vital. So, try to be sensitive to other’s needs. First, recognize their feelings, then state your request.

E.g.: “I know you are busy right now, but I would appreciate it if you can spare me a few minutes to hear my side of the story.”

Method 2: Escalating assertion

Sometimes the first attempt might not be successful. You become increasingly firm as time progresses, this may result in you informing the other person the consequences if they did not satisfy your needs.

E.g.: You may say “If you don’t follow the rules, I’ll be forced to take drastic measures.”

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Practice, practice, practice! No one says it would be easy, so be smart and train in low-risk situations first to build confidence. It is highly recommended to ask permission to practice assertiveness in front of people who are close to you.

Once you familiarize yourself with the techniques of effective communication, you will see a vast improvement in your business and relationship dealings. Your listeners will feel defensive if they know you are trying to sell them products or services. The trick is to be a good listener, pay attention to details, and let them feel respected. Once they know that you truly listen, then it will be easier for you to direct the conversation towards the result you want. Effective communication makes all of these possible.

Remember, practice consistently and speaks confidently. We hope you can become the champion you destined to be.

References:

• https://www.youtube.com/user/charismaoncommand

• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/effective-communication.htm

“Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. Any action you take upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk.”