3 Tips for Effective Communication

Life is too short to be constantly sorting out misunderstandings. Communicating well the first time is a rare skill. My favorite communication quote comes from George Bernard Shaw. He says, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” One of your chief priorities as a leader and a communicator should be to ensure that this illusion rarely, if ever, occurs.

In my experience in leadership roles where I have needed to be an effective communicator, I have found three practical steps that elevate my communication ability.

Answer All Questions

This seems intuitive, and it is. I don’t mean to insult you with such a simple concept, but I see it butchered so often, and understandably so. It is actually incredibly difficult to answer all questions. I am not talking solely about asked questions. To be an effective communicator you must also be able to answer the questions that would otherwise remain unasked. You must also answer the questions behind the question.

How can you begin to do this? First, it starts by anticipating potential questions. Focus your efforts on crafting your communication to address these topics. Also, it is a good idea to do a trial run on someone you trust to give you honest feedback. When you are in a position of power, you must remember that it can be scary for subordinates to ask what might be considered dumb, uninformed, or challenging questions.

In addition to anticipating these types of questions, do your best to create an atmosphere where it is easier to ask those questions. Your immediate response to questions plays a major role in dictating your culture. Do you immediately get defensive if the question is directed toward you? Do you dismiss what you consider to be simple questions? Even though you might just be trying to make a silly joke, pointing out that someone missed a vital part of your communication forms culture. It implies that it is better for your colleagues to keep quiet rather than to understand what you were trying to communicate. When put like that, it should be evident that this is a disastrous outcome.

Keep It Short

Everybody likes short meetings. One of the reasons for this is that the longer a meeting goes, the less information per minute (IPM???) is typically transferred. I think that I may have coined the term, at least for this use, but I am sure that everyone understands what I am talking about. As meetings go long, it seems like the same things get rehashed over and over again. Don’t do this in your communications. 

Humans crave information. Communicating in short, information-rich packets is so satisfying for listeners. It will set you apart in a world where many communicators equate long-windedness with expertise. That being said, sometimes complexity is necessary. As long as your information per minute is high, you’ll be fine.

Don’t be afraid to tackle big topics, but be sure to keep it as concise as possible. Help people focus on what matters most. This is particularly true for complex situations. I think people can understand more than we sometimes give them credit for as long as we do not overburden them with tangential topics.

Provide Confirmable Action Steps

The best communicators provide action steps. A coach provides a mandatory workout routine after a rousing speech. A pastor provides a bible study following a poignant message. A CEO provides objectives and steps following a vision meeting. Make sure that you are providing action steps as well. It gives life to your message and cements your key points in the memory of your colleagues. 

To really get the full effect of this, you must require confirmation and feedback for your steps. Don’t just throw out potential steps without getting buy-in from your teammates. Action steps that aren’t confirmed after the meeting will generally not lead to the results you desire.

Final Thoughts

I am always learning more about being a better communicator. It is one of my favorite things to talk about. I love watching and listening to great communicators. If you are interested in learning more about communication, a good place to start is by checking out Chalmers Brothers.

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