The Basics of Successful Professional Communication

When communicating professionally, we usually have 3 basic underlying goals:

1. To convey and listen to thoughts and ideas
2. To persuade others to go along with our proposals and ideas
3. To project confidence and authenticity, while ensuring that others are comfortable in our presence

Though this blog is committed to providing you with the tips and techniques to accomplish these goals, it takes skill and practice to not get become bogged down with too much information. To ensure that you can implement these techniques when you need to, I have created this outline for you to use when you want to impress others professionally.  

As alluded by the title of this post, this is simply the first step.  However, for those who are not natural communicators, the outline provided in this post is the foundation to success.

So, take the time to follow the ensuing steps regardless of whether you are: (i) interviewing for a job; (ii) meeting with potential clients; (iii) making a presentation; (iv) seeking a promotion; (v) working with colleagues at the office, or if you simply want to stand out professionally...

Step 1 

Convey and Listen To Thoughts and Ideas

'Communication' implies that you have some idea or thought that you want to convey to others.  As you know, "to put your best foot forward", especially in a professional setting, you must know what you are talking about.

• So, taking the time to become knowledgeable about the subject you will talk about is key. As such, follow the presentation preparation steps outlined here.

• During the actual presentation or negotiation, remember that communication is a "give and take" process; so implicit in the word 'communication' is the ability to Actively Listen.

• To ensure that you are getting the appropriate, information you need from others, learn to Ask The Right Type Of Questions To Get The Answers You Seek.

• Choose your communication mode based on the situation at hand, because regardless of what you hear, Compromising Is Not Always The Best Option.

Step 2

To persuade others to go along with your proposals and ideas

• To effectively convince others that your proposals or ideas are sound, negotiate or communicate based on the interests of the parties and not on their positions.

• In most cases it will be impossible to meet all interests.  By using the Log-rolling Technique, you can focus on fulfilling those interests that have priority and still leave everyone satisfied.

Step 3

Project confidence and authenticity while ensuring that others are comfortable in your presence

You have probably heard the cliche, "Perception is Reality". In a professional setting, you want people to perceive you as: (i) a person who knows what he/she is doing; and (ii) someone who they want to be around. 

• Remember, when you are communicating, people base 55% of their judgment of a speaker on intangibles - not on your words, or how you speak.  As such, it is key for you to polish your Non-Verbal Communication skills

• By using the Mindfulness, the information and communication techniques will simply flow through you.  This will help to minimize nervousness and help you establish an air of confidence and authenticity.

By follow these steps, you are actively putting yourself forward as an effective speaker.  Though there is a lot more to learn, you have taken the first steps toward success as a communicator. This will give you a significant advantage at work, in business or life in general...

At Zen Workplaces, our primary goals are to help you (i) improve your skill-set and (ii) achieve peace of mind.  In so doing, we hope to aid you in your efforts to smooth the obstacles you face at work, in business or simply life.

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