Do you ever wonder why people aren’t really listening to what you have to say? Sure, maybe they are hearing you, but, despite what you perceive to be your best efforts, nothing seems to resonate with them. Do you feel like you may as well be talking to a blank wall or a puppet? It’s time to change that now, by considering the following five things…
Take Charge
Nobody is going to listen if they can’t even hear you – speak up! Speak with confidence and authority if you want to effectively convey your message. Especially if you are innately shy or mild mannered, make a conscious effort to be direct, clear and to the point. Don’t dance around issues or let yourself become meek or wishy-washy in your view. Take a stance and stick to it.
Be Informed
Know what you’re talking about, plan for objections, questions and the other side of your argument. Fully form your ideas and opinions and back them with sound research and supporting points. Don’t be that person with a perpetually moving mouth who speaks just to have his or her voice heard, making bold claims that seem ground in nothing but ignorance or an attempt at shock value. Like the Boy who Cried Wolf, nobody will listen when you actually do have something sound and credible to contribute.
Consider the Audience
When conveying an important piece of information, consider the recipients and how they will best process and digest your message. Consider their values, potential concerns and preferred modes of communication. Perhaps email is the best medium to address a younger group, while a face-to-face meeting is more effective with an older or less educated demographic. Speak in their terms and in their language.
Change the Way you Speak
You could be the most intelligent person in the room, armed with a message that could potentially change the world, but if your vocabulary doesn’t reflect this, you won’t be taken seriously. Remove the ums, likes, thing and stuff from your dialogue. Everything on the planet has a proper name: use them. You will sound ill-informed and juvenile otherwise. Don’t assume people know what you are talking about. Especially in your chosen profession, address objects by their proper name or workplace jargon; the thing is called a “requisition,” a “proposal” or a “hyperlink.”
It is All About Timing
We spoke recently about the significance of timing in the workforce when it comes to communication, but this can apply to all areas of your life. Plan your timing strategically so that you can guarantee you have the optimal attention of your audience. In the workplace, don’t instigate communication of important messages when your co-worker is rushing out at the end of the day or swamped with deadlines, or when your boss is practically drowning in paperwork. In relationships, if your SO has had a horrible day, it’s probably better to wait to bring up a potentially stress-inducing conversation. Trust us.