How to Become a Better Communicator

Want to know the #1 topic that often comes up in client sessions?

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Communication.

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Aka—

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How do I communicate better with a difficult colleague?

How do I speak up for my needs in a meeting with my manager?

How do I have a tough conversation without sacrificing my professionalism?

How do I empower my team to take charge?

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I know I’ve had ALL of these questions (and more) throughout my career. I’m willing to bet you have too.

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Want to know something that can help you hone your communication style? Or simply boost your awareness of how you present yourself to others?

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Mindfulness. Mindful Communication, to be exact. 😉

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When you’re mindfully communicating, you’re fully present in your interaction with the other person. It consists of three parts:

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1. MINDFUL LISTENING

When you mindfully listen, you’re ONLY listening. Not preparing what you’re going to say next, or judging the words you hear.

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2. MINDFUL SPEAKING

When you mindfully speak, you’re speaking with intention. You’re not speaking just to hear yourself talk, or speaking to fill a silence. There’s a specific point and purpose in mind.

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3. MINDFUL BODY LANGUAGE

This one’s a doozy! Researcher Albert Mehrabian found that body language makes up 55% (oh yes, you read that right) of communication. Our words are a mere 7%, and our tone of voice makes up 38%. So what you *don’t* say matters. BIG time.

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^^All of this is important because according to the latest Gallup research on employee engagement, one the top — if not THE top — causes of employee disengagement is not feeling seen, heard, or appreciated. Not feeling valued, seen as a cog in a wheel rather than a human being.

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So when you listen to someone (like *really* listen to them), speak with intention, and pay attention to the non-verbal cues you’re giving off…

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You’ll make people feel like they MATTER.

And on top of that, you’ll see an improvement in their overall performance and a boost in your team’s bottom line (Gallup, 2019). 

So next time you have the opportunity to be fully present with a colleague, I encourage you to take it. Put your phone away, make direct eye contact, and connect on a deeper level. 

References

https://news.gallup.com/poll/241649/employee-engagement-rise.aspx

https://www.rightattitudes.com/2008/10/04/7-38-55-rule-personal-communication/